Have you ever wondered why every birthday, tradition we will blow out the candles placed on the cake ?! It is said that the origin of this tradition began in Germany during the 18th century, as a symbol to celebrate children's birthdays and to protect their souls. Others say that the blowing of candles originated from a cult associated with the goddess Artemis of ancient Greece, a tradition that was observed to commemorate her birth.
The number of candles usually represents the age of the person having the birthday, who must say a wish before blowing them as to end the celebration.
Candle blowing and birthday parties are said to have been exclusive to the gods and heroes of ancient Greece.
In Egypt, birthdays were celebrated mainly by royal families, a tradition borrowed from the Greeks, who celebrated the birth of their gods. The most widespread celebration was that of the goddess Artemis, where every 6th of the month, a cake with candles was made in her honor. Later, this ritual became part of the birthdays of every hero, aristocrat or any other personality.
The ritual of candles to be blown is related to the customs of antiquity, which used fire to ward off evil spirits. It was thought that these spirits visited people on their birthdays, so people had no choice but to celebrate and make noise to protect themselves from them.
During the 18th century in Germany, the tradition of candles spread rapidly as it was thought of as a way to preserve the souls of children. Whenever a child turned one year old in Germany, he / she was taken to a space (similar to an auditorium) as only then could adults protect them from evil spirits.
In Sweden of 1883, each candle represented one more year of life, but the rule was not to blow all at once, but separately.
Source: Bright Side
