Birthday eCards

Many of the symbols we associate with birthdays, such as cakes, gifts and birthday cards, trace back hundreds of years. Some attribute the origin of the birthday cake to ancient Greece. The Greeks had a tradition of bringing cakes to the temples of Artemis, goddess of the moon. Others believe that the birthday cake traces back to Germany and a couple of traditional cakes baked centuries ago. One cake was baked in the shape of the swaddling clothes worn by baby Jesus, to commemmorate his birth. Another cake was called Geburtstagorten -- baked in layers, it was much sweeter than the average coarse and bread-like cake made at that time.

In Clare Gibson's Ultimate Birthday Book, the author states the tradition of putting birthday candles on the cake may date back to that same Greek tradition mentioned above. When the Greeks would bring their cakes to the temples of Artemis, they would place lit candles on the cake to make the cake glow brightly, like the moon. Others believe that birthday candles can be traced back to German customs. The Germans would place a large candle in the middle of the cake. This was said to represent "the light of life" and had spiritual or religious meaning.

The tradition of a birthday party started as a way to ward off evil spirits - not exactly an auspicious beginning for such a happy tradition! Likely starting in the Middle Ages, people believed you were at your weakest on the day you were born. To protect against evil spirits taking over their body, they would surround themselves with friends and family whose love would protect them from harm. This evolved into a party, where people would bring small gifts or flowers to the birthday host or hostess. If they could not make it to the party, they would often send a birthday card, with their regrets. Thus, the custom of sending birthday cards was born.