The Origin of Birthday Candles - Celebration Stadium

Where Did Birthday Candles Come From and What is the New Way to Make A Wish

Who doesn't love the birthday ritual of making a wish while blowing out the candles? But when did this tradition first begin, and where did it originate?

Many historians trace it back to ancient Greece. As a way to show their respect for the god Artemis, the Greeks created cakes in the shape of the moon and decorated them with candles to represent moonlight. They believed their prayers were transported to heaven on the smoke.
In the middle ages Germans would celebrate "Kinderfest" children's birthdays with simple bread-like cakes. A single candle was placed on the cake symbolizing the "light of life."

The practice blossomed to a whole new level in 1746 when Count Ludwig Von Zinzendorf hosted a grand birthday party. A guest at the party wrote about the

Experience, "there was a cake as large as any oven could be found to bake it, and holes made in the cake according to the years of the person’s age, every one having a candle stuck into it."

Forward to the mid-1800s, the practice of blowing out the candles on birthday cakes became increasingly common in Europe, especially among the well-to-do who could afford decorated cakes. In the U.S. industrialization made baking products with reach of many families and birthday cakes become widespread by the end of the nineteenth century.

Birthday cakes and candles are a timeless simple joy that allow for a moment of reflection on a special day once every year. Now we've updated the tradition -- and upped the joy -- thanks to the Celebration Stadium Birthday Candelabra.

Celebration Stadiums & Accessories

See the spectacular Celebration Stadiums for an unforgettable birthday celebration. Shop for candles, cake toppers, and other party accessories.

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recently patented invention holds up to 100 birthday candle
celebrate with a candle for every year
semi-circle to wrap around a birthday cake
makes for spectacular photos and videos
keeps the candles off the cake surface -- no wax puddles
more sanitary for blowing out the candles
reusable for years of celebrations
comes apart for flat storage
5-star customer reviews and their submitted photos

Birthday candles never had it so good! With a Celebration Stadium your birthday party will be an unforgettable milestone event. See the full range of Celebration Stadiums and accessories.

History of Birthday Cake

The tradition of the birthday cake has its roots in ancient civilizations, evolving over centuries into the sweet, frosted confections we know today. Originally, these cakes were simple, bread-like, and often unsweetened. The Greeks, for instance, offered round cakes to Artemis, the moon goddess, symbolizing the moon's glow with lit candles. As time progressed, these ritual offerings transformed into celebratory delicacies. By the Middle Ages, Europeans had adopted this tradition, infusing it with their own customs and flavors. The birthday cake, as we recognize it, began to take shape, becoming a central emblem of birthday festivities and a canvas for artistic and culinary expression.

70th birthday party ideas

History of Birthday Candles

The origin of birthday candles can be traced back to ancient Greece, where candles were placed on cakes to honor Artemis, the moon goddess. The Greeks believed that the smoke from the candles carried their prayers to the heavens. This practice evolved over time, especially in Germany, where during "Kinderfest," a candle symbolizing the "light of life" was placed on the cake. The turning point in birthday candle history was in 1746, when Count Ludwig Von Zinzendorf hosted a lavish birthday party, featuring a cake adorned with candles corresponding to each year of life. This extravagant display set the precedent for the modern custom of decorating cakes with numerous candles to celebrate one's age.

When were Birthday Candles Invented?

The precise origin of birthday candles is shrouded in history, but it's widely believed they were first used in ancient Greece. The Greeks placed candles on cakes to honor Artemis, the goddess of the moon, symbolizing the moon's glow. The tradition evolved in Germany during Kinderfest celebrations. Over the centuries, this practice morphed into the common birthday tradition we recognize today, with candles signifying each year of life and the continuation of this ancient, symbolic ritual.

Why Do We Put Candles on a Birthday Cake?

Placing candles on a birthday cake is a tradition steeped in historical significance and symbolism. Originating from ancient rituals, the act of adding candles to a cake has become an integral part of birthday celebrations, symbolizing joy, life, and the passage of time. Today, the aesthetic of this tradition is enhanced with modern touches like stylish birthday candle holders, which not only add elegance to the cake but also symbolize the light and warmth that the celebrant brings into the lives of others. These holders have become a centerpiece of celebrations, blending tradition with contemporary design.

birthday candle holder

Why Do We Blow Out Birthday Candles?

The tradition of blowing out birthday candles carries deep symbolic meaning. It's believed to represent the extinguishing of the old year and the welcoming of the new. This act is often associated with making a wish, a hopeful look towards the future. For milestone celebrations like a 70th birthday, this ritual holds even greater significance, marking the culmination of years of experiences and the anticipation of more to come. In case you're pondering 70th birthday party ideas, having a candle holder with 70 lit candles around the cake will make the event memorable.

How Did Birthday Celebration Get Started?

The origins of birthday celebrations are deeply rooted in ancient customs and folklore. While the exact beginning is a bit of a mystery, it's believed that the practice started with the Egyptians, who celebrated the pharaohs' "birth" as gods. This idea was later adopted by the Greeks, who offered cakes to Artemis, symbolizing the moon's glow. These celebrations were marked with festivities, gifts, and public declarations, setting the stage for the elaborate birthday traditions we observe today. As time progressed, these customs spread across Europe and underwent various transformations, eventually becoming the personal and joyous occasions we know, complete with cakes, tall birthday candles, and the Happy Birthday song.