2007-09-03 19:58:11 · 7 answers · asked by uncle cyril 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
Some historians think that the custom of the birthday cake was observed in ancient Greece, and they report that the birthday cake began with the Greeks who used to make honey cakes or bread. Ancient Romans celebrated three different types of birthdays: Private celebrations among family and friends, the birthdays of cities and temples, and the birthdays of past and present emperors or members of the imperial family. The 50th year was celebrated with a honey cake made of wheat flour, grated cheese, honey, and olive oil.
Others contend that the Birthday Cake tradition was started in Germany in the Middle Ages where a sweetened bread dough was made in the shape of the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes and were used to commemorate his birthday. The Birthday Cake later re-emerged in Germany as a kinderfest, or a birthday celebration for a young child.
In England, birthday cakes are baked with symbolic objects inside. In medieval times, objects such as coins and thimbles were mixed into the batter. People believed that the person who got the coin would be wealthy, while the unlucky finder of the thimble would never marry. Today, small figures, fake coins and small candies are more common.
Birthday candles originally were placed on cakes to bring birthday wishes up to God. 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, we believe, that if you blow out all your candles in one breath, your wish will come true.
2007-09-04 02:46:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Birthday celebrations have always been associated with things like CAKE, balloons, gifts, Birthday hats, candles, special Birthday Songs, Birthday gaming activities, decorations etc. Birthday Cake is a must to have for any Birthday celebration. The trend of cutting cake on one's Birthday is believed to be started by Greeks. Moon-shaped honey cakes were made in order to imbue the celebrations into it's sweetness. The same practice was observed by the Ancient Romans.
There is a history of the treasured Birthday cakes. The word 'cake' has been derived from the old Norse word “Kaka”. Birthday cakes are cut with a knife and then the Birthday person blows away the candles. The Birthday cake is topped with the same number of colorful candles as that of our age. People believe that if you could successfully blow off the candles at one go, your silent wish will come true. Germans said that the candles epitomize the “light of life”.-
2007-09-04 18:47:00 · answer #2 · answered by Jayaraman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i neither celebrate birthday nor cut the cake on that occasion as my prophet has forbidden that .
2007-09-04 23:59:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Origin Of Birthday Cake
2016-06-25 19:42:52 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we cut wedding cakes too
2007-09-03 20:06:29 · answer #5 · answered by Stuart A B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
*we cut it on other occassions too !!!!!
It probably originated in Greece !!!!
2007-09-04 22:34:49 · answer #6 · answered by ๏๓ รђคภtเ, รђคภtเ รђคภtเ ....... ! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you also cut cakes at weddings, graduations, anniversary's, baby showers, wedding showers, welcome home celebrations, christenings and engagement party's
2007-09-04 03:02:57 · answer #7 · answered by Greeneyed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because its tradition
2007-09-03 22:55:35 · answer #8 · answered by Perfectionist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋