2007-10-09 08:20:02 · 11 answers · asked by Freesumpin 7 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
How and when did it start? Huh?
2007-10-09 09:16:38 · update #1
We do it to placate those who have prepared the party for us.
Two boxes of matches lie used, fingers were singed, wax drips onto the frosting, cameras are poised and "Happy Birthday" waits to be warbled for the 938thbillionth time!
I ask you, what else are we going to do?
How/why and when are a bit obscured by time.
I found this for you:
HOW/WHY this ritual:
The sun holds early spiritual significance.
Fire, as an element of the sun, was used to light candles in weddings, funerals, and other rituals.
Fire was viewed as a symbol of beginning, or birth, as well as essential for sustaining life.
In a talk given to the Culinary Historians of Washington, DC, Shirley Cherkasky explained that candles were instrumental in measuring time, pointing to King Alfred of England's ninth-century system of measuring the day's hours with candles. Measuring or signifying the years of someone's life using candles isn't such a far jump.
WHEN:
A book called "The Lore of Birthdays" is cited by abcog.org regarding the first cake and candle combo. "The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks," who placed the cakes at the altars of the temple of Artemis. However, it's not clear if these were birthday cakes or cakes for another occasion.
Cherkasky's extensive research points to a 1799 letter by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. According to the letter, a well-lit birthday cake was used by the Germans in or before the 18th century.
You can read more at:
http://ask.yahoo.com/20060621.html
2007-10-10 20:12:15 · answer #1 · answered by Yellowstonedogs 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
So we can get to the cake. The candles were to deter any little kids running around then it became tradition?
2007-10-09 15:25:33 · answer #2 · answered by Sweet Cheeks 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to make a wish :)) unless some joker has supplied them candles that keep re lighting lol
2007-10-09 15:29:56 · answer #3 · answered by Magster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because if you let it burn the wax might fall on top of the cake
2007-10-09 15:23:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So you don't burn your face or set your hair on fire when you eat the cake.
2007-10-09 15:24:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
supposedly for a wish to come true...bad tradition though
2007-10-09 15:25:19 · answer #6 · answered by k i w i ♥182 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
~~~ I looked it up. Is that cheating? http://www.tokenz.com/history-of-birthday-cake.html I kinda like Spell Check!!'s answer better though. ~~~
2007-10-09 18:53:21 · answer #7 · answered by donelle g. 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
don't know...but it's gross especially if you're sharing that cake w/ others
2007-10-09 16:21:44 · answer #8 · answered by jst_askn 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
so we can make a wish
2007-10-09 15:22:37 · answer #9 · answered by dinny's engaged!! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so we can make a wish lol ^_^
2007-10-09 15:22:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋