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History of Birthday Cakes and Candles
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.
History of Birthday Celebrations
History of Birthday Cakes and Candles
History of Birthday Parties and Birthday Cards
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