Birthday Cakes

The idea of putting candles on birthday cakes dates back to ancient Greece. The Greeks, who worshipped many gods and goddesses, also worshipped one called Artemis, the goddess of the moon. Artemis, being the moon goddess, logically had a birthday every month. And the Greeks faithfully turned up at her temple every month, bringing with them cakes as round as the moon. And to simulate the glow of the full moon, the ingenious lot stuck bunches of lit candles on the cakes. The Greeks and Romans typically subscribed to the idea that every person had a protective spirit or demon that attends your birth and watches over you through your life. This spirit would have a mystic relation with the god in whose month the individual was born. This notion carries forward in time, where today folks have guardian angels, fairy godmothers, or at least a patron saint. Birthday candles are symbolic of lighted tapers and sacrificial fires – the mystic symbols of honor ever since man first set up altars to his gods. In ancient times, people prayed over the flames of an open fire. They believed that the smoke carried their thoughts up to the gods. Today, if you blow out all your candles in one breath, your wish will come true. Egyptians observed birthdays, but only for their rulers. They held parades, circuses, gladiatorial contests, and sumptuous feasts! The Romans staged parades and chariot races to celebrate birthdays, some of which were created for their gods. Mere mortals were not honored or even remembered on the day of their birth. As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations.

The first children’s birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called kinderfeste. Cakes made from sweetened bread dough and coated with sugar, were the first birthday cakes and they originated in Germany. It has been said that if the cake collapses while baking, it is a sign of bad luck in the coming year. Coins, buttons, and rings were baked into cakes. The guest who received the slice with the coin was guaranteed riches in the future, the ring signified marriage.