Thursday, August 18, 2022

5611 - Birthday candles - Pagan ritual



Why blow out the candles? There are several theories. I like the Pagan ritual theory.


And then there is the cake. Wikipedia has an article on it.

The last time we lit the candles on my birthday cake we had to get a permit from the fire department.


13 comments:

River said...

I didn't have a cake this year, but I am sure there will be something sweet when the family gets together as soon as the weather dries up.

Elephant's Child said...

Happy belated birthday River.
No cakes or candles for me in many a long year.

Ole phat stu said...

Blowing over the cake to put out candles has almost disappeared here in Germany since corona came.

Bilbo said...

As pagan rituals go, blowing out the candles is preferable to sacrificing virgins, which are in short supply in most places, anyhow. And Ole Phat Stu is right, although it's not just going away in Germany.

Kathy G said...

I'm having trouble getting back into the groove after traveling, so thanks for searching out the interesting facts on the Internet.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Well, since you're supposed to make a wish before blowing out the candles, the "smoke carrying your prayer to the heavens" theory seems to make sense.

Lady M said...

I have always found blowing little bits of spit onto the cake a repulsive tradition.

Mike said...

River - It's finally frying up here in St. Louis. Keep your finger crossed.

Sue - Ice cream cake for me.

Stu - Same here. Now we use a piece of cardboard to fan out the flames.

Bill - I don't know... if we can't blow out candles, sacrificing virgins may come back.

Kathy - I know what you mean. I'm afraid if I ever took too long a break that might be the end of it for me.

Deb - It makes more sense that a lot of traditions people do.

Lady - This is one of the good things that came out of COVID.

Mr. Shife said...

I like that Pagan ritual theory as well. Happy birthday.

jenny_o said...

The things we do without even thinking about why we do them! Thanks for the education ... but now I crave cake and frosting, dagnabit Mike!

Whenever your birthday was, I hope it was happy.

Mike said...

Matt - Not my birthday yet but this will be top of mind when it is.

Jenny - It's coming up in November. Still a little bit away. Now get some cake and frosting. Just don't spit on them.

Martha said...

I like the pagan ritual, as well. Many rituals and celebrations came from pagans.

Mike said...

Martha - Yes, lots of them do.