What would a birthday celebration be without the candles burning brightly upon the top of an elaborately decorated cake and the happy celebrants face framed in the glowing light as they prepare to blow out their candles? We take the birthday cake for granted, but it has had a place in human history for many, many years.
In the Beginning
There are conflicting opinions about when the tradition of birthday cakes first got their start. Some say the tradition began during the Middle Ages in the country of Germany. A sweet bread dough was baked to represent the baby Jesus in his swaddling and was used as a commemoration of the Savior’s birth. Later, the birthday cake was reintroduced to the German population as a sweet treat for a child’s birthday.
Others say the tradition began in the Roman era. The Romans were known for celebrating three different types of birthday occasions; those for people, those for cities and temples and those of emperors both present and past as well as members of their family. A special cake was baked for a fiftieth year celebration with olive oil, honey, cheese and wheat flour.
Ancient Greeks were said to make bread or honey cakes to commemorate a birthday. In England, it was customary to bake objects inside such as a thimble or coins. It was thought that the one who got the coin would become rich and prosperous and the unlucky finder of the thimble would never have the opportunity to marry. Each object that was found signified a prediction.
Candles Burning Brightly
The candles of a birthday cake were originally used to bring God wishes for a happy birthday. Ancient people used to say their prayers over an open fire because they believed that smoke would carry their thoughts to the gods. Today the birthday celebrant is challenged to blow all the candles out with one breath in order to make their wish come true.
Birthday Celebrations are Not a Global Affair
There are many cultures that do not tack importance on the day an individual was born. In some regions it is the name day that is celebrated. This is the day that the person was given the name they carry through life instead of the day they came into the world. Others consider celebrating birthdays a pagan tradition and strive to eradicate any type of birthday celebration. One such religious group is the Jehovah Witnesses.
Others view celebrating their birthdays as an unhappy rite of passage. Once those important birthday milestones have been met, having a birthday is an indication of the passing of years and the fact that we are growing older. Not all adults view their birthday as a time to celebrate. Most joyful birthday celebrations center around the children. They are the ones who seem to take the most joy out of a birthday cake that is ablaze with candles and the prospect of sweet cake to eat once the blaze is blown out.
Jeffrey is a nationally recognized pastry chef and Austin wedding cakes designer. He has competed and medaled in numerous cake, wedding cakes, chocolate, and sugar competitions.
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