Do you know why we blow candles and cut cakes on birthdays?

No birthday celebration is complete without the ritual of blowing out candles and cutting a cake. But do you know why we blow out candles and cut cakes on birthdays? When and how did this practice start?

The tradition of cutting a birthday cake

In Roman times, cakes were served to guests on special occasions like weddings. Initially, only flat circular cakes were made using flour, honey and nuts.

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During the 15th century, German bakers introduced single-layered cakes for birthday celebrations. The tradition of cutting a cake on a birthday started then. During the middle ages, Germans celebrated their children’s birthdays with cake and the celebration was called Kinderfest.

In the 17th century, modern-day cakes were introduced. These  were multi-layered, coated with cream in exclusive designs and shapes, and decorated with icing.

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In the 18th century, the industrial revolution made food and utensils affordable, and birthday cakes became accessible to the poor.

Later in the middle of the 19th century, Western European countries adopted cutting cake as part of birthday celebrations and in no time the tradition spread across the globe.

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The reason behind blowing out candles

There are multiple theories about the birthday tradition of blowing out candles. A Greek theory says  the ritual of blowing out candles is connected to the ancient tradition of lighting candles to worship the birth of the Goddess Artemis.

Another theory explains that this tradition originated in Switzerland in the year 1881. Back then, the Swiss middle class believed many superstitions, one of which was to have the same number of candles as of the birthday year. Then the birthday person was asked to blow the candles one by one.

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According to the another theory,  birthday candles had symbolic power. It was believed that evil spirits visit people on their birthdays and the candles were lit and the friends and family surrounded the person.

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Happy birthday song

This is another important birthday ritual. The singing of the Happy Birthday song first started in English-speaking countries and then spread across the globe. Later, it was translated into more than 18 languages.