Birthday is a favorite holiday from residents of all countries. However, it was not always. How did the tradition originate to celebrate a birthday and where she came from, many scientists were sought.
And yes, of course, a birthday cake with candles in the number of years. Someone from where? His medieval and art historian Stefan Heidenreich (Stefan Heidenreich) held its research on this topic. The result of his research was the book "Geburtstag. WIE ES KOMMT, DASS WIR UNS SELBST FEIERN" ("Birthday. As it happened, that we honor ourselves"), which tells about the origins of the tradition in Europe. She entered the Hanser Munich Publishing House.
Fearing in ancient Rome
There are people who perceive their birthday is not otherwise as a calendar date. And the fact that they appeared on this day, they are completely indifferent to them.
Nevertheless, as Stefan Heidenraich found out during his research, the tradition of celebrating his birthday existed in ancient Rome. True, the life of a simple mortal was valued there is not so high to arrange a holiday in his honor. Initially, the ancient Romans - just as the ancient Greeks - solemnly celebrated their own birthdays, and the birthdays of their gods. Over time, the privilege celebrate their birthday began to use and citizens, but only those of them who presented to know. The celebrations invited many guests. Participants of the feast have sang songs, recharged poems, gave birthday gifts. Tables that were often put on the street, broke from all kinds of diet. The wine was raised by the river.
Backstand
The author of the oldest of the descriptions of the birthday celebration came to our time - the ancient Roman poet Ovidi. Being in exile on the Black Sea coast, he describes the holiday ceremony, arranged in honor of his wife, who, however, there was no next to him. As Ovid writes, he was averaged on the flowers of the altar of the altar, I climbed incense on it and poured the altar undeveloped wine.
In ancient Rome, it was a normal phenomenon - thus celebrating the birthday of a close man even in his absence. The main thing is to hide the defenders of the birthday officer, to pay the honor to the patroves to the gods, which was also thought also participated in the solemn Pir. According to ancient Roman mythology, men from the impact of evil spirits defended the spirit-keeper of genius, and representatives of the beautiful sex - the goddess of marriage, birth, family, motherhood and women of Juno.
Approximately also celebrated birthdays and the ancient Greeks. These, however, they sneezed during the feather daimony - a kind of inner voice. And the holiday was arranged more than once a year, and once a month. At the table sat for hours: they led the philosophical conversations, but even more - they indulged in a heaten, notes Stefan Heidenray in his book.
Blend candles and make a desire
With the spread of Christianity, the tradition of celebrating the birthdays of the birth in the evening. The fact is that Christianity belonged to the earthly life of a person as the phenomenon of sinful order, and therefore his birth was not considered necessary to celebrate. Early Christians viewed the world as a silence of grief and believed that a truly joyful event was boring, and the care of a person in the world is different, farewell to sinful reality. Christmas is Christmas - this is the only holiday-related holiday, which established the Christian church. Other birthdays were not celebrated during the centuries.
Only during the reformation, the tradition of celebrating birthdays began to revive. True, until 1600, the date of their birth was known to 1600. To record birthdays and the baptism of citizens in most European countries began only in the XVII century. And the privilege to celebrate the birthdays at first used only to know. But gradually such a tradition began to spread on ordinary people.
If you believe the results of the finding of Stefan Heidenrayha, the first region, where the right to arrange celebrations on the occasion of his birthday received representatives of literally all the social layers, became the territory of the compact residence of the German ethnos. Moreover, children's birthdays were particularly celebrated. The child was walked at the dawn with songs and brought him a nutty pie with candles, personified a straight link with the otherworldly world. The birthday book blew the candles and made a desire.
And later, immigrants from German-speaking countries have extended this ritual around the world. So a wonderful tradition to poison the candles on the birthday at the festive cake came from Germany.
Common tradition related to celebration of the birthday? Even the child will immediately answer that this holiday, celebrating, is served a festive cake, decorated with beautiful, candles in an amount equal to the banner of the birthday. Further, a person must make a desire and blew all the candles from the first attempt, the desire at the same time keeps in a strict secret, it is believed that it is when complying with these all rules, the desire will be fulfilled.
All this interesting action takes place under the songs, slamming in your hands, chocolate fountains, launch Chinese lanterns and the joy of the gathered to congratulate the birthday celebrating. For an adult audience, when the cake simply cannot accommodate the required amount of candles, you can offer another option: arrange the desired number of candles in a circle, and inside this circle, you will perform the belly dance with candles. Believe me, delight will be even more than in childhood! Tradition to light candles on a birthday cake exists in many countries, both in Europe and in Australia and America. But where did this tradition come from, what is it connected with? There are several versions of the tradition of the tradition to put and light the candles on the festive cake.
Healing the candles on a birthday cake is a long tradition that exists in many countries and is the most common. Cake with burning candles in the number of birthday years is, as a rule, the culmination part of the holiday, which completes the series of congratulations and wishes from relatives and loved ones. And now it is already difficult to imagine a birthday without a song "Happy Birthday to You!", Makes the desire and stuffing candles. But it is unlikely that any of us knows where this tradition came from and why it is the birthday candles on the cake. There are many versions and legends, but there is no documentary confirmation.
The first transfers us to ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks baked pies, yellow, and brought them to the temple, as a gift р годений мунней - Artemide. In this case, the cake symbolized the moon, and the candle burned on it is its light.
Another legend narrates that the custom of decorating the cake by burning candles came from ancient Persia. In those distant times, the inhabitants of the East had a custom to be presented as a gift to guests to guests just baked with a burning candle, thus expressing sincerity and warmth of feelings.
Through the third version, the tradition first appeared in medieval England. In the cake that was baked for a birthday, various "secret" items were hiding, usually these were coins or small jewels. Behind the opened festive table, the cake was solemnly cut and handed out the treat with all those present. Everyone present with the excitement expected that the cherished ring or coin, will be precisely in his piece of cake, because It promised wealth and well-being.
The fourth suggests that the tradition to light up and blew candles on the cake, makes a cherished desire at the same time, appeared in Germany. It was believed that smoke from the cast candles takes a mandated desire directly to the sky and contributes to his speedy execution. In Germany, in the Middle Ages, they knew how to produce beautiful candles from wax. On the birthday of the center of the cake put candles, symbolizing the life light. It was believed that when the birthday girl blooms them, his breathing takes a desire right to heaven. In the XIII century, a cake with candles was an indispensable attribute of baby birthday in the villages of Germany.
The birthday boy was walked at sunrise songs and brought him a cake with burning candles. However, he could not be blown out candles and start eating a confectionery product. The cake was supposed to stand in this form to dinner: the candles that were burned, changed new ones. And only for dinner, the birthdayman received the right to blew candles and make a desire. Like now, the desire had to be kept secret to come true, and the candles blend at a time. But the candles were not as much as the child was fulfilled, but one more. IN
Germany even existed a special folklore character "Emergious Gnome", bringing presents on the birthday of Birth - just like Santa Claus brings them to the New Year. Nowadays, such dwarves are no longer there, and the tradition of strangling candles has remained.
The fifth legend tells about the origin of the tradition in Russia, while the main religion was paganism. It was believed that on his birthday, the birthday officer should be surrounded exclusively friends and loved ones. The candle on the cake was supposed to protect the birthday officer from thoughts and actions of enemies and ill-wishers.
Like sacrificial lights, burning candles have long been a mystical significance, and there was a belief that the candle burning on his birthday is a guarantee of the fulfillment of desire. However, the desire (which should remain secret) will be implemented only if the candles blend. Candles lose their magic force if the desire speak loud. "
It was believed that on the day of the name, his guardian angel was always located next to a person (after all, this is his holiday). If you make a desire and blew the candles, it means that your message angel is received, and it will definitely be executed. One important feature of this ritual is that a wishes made by the birthday girl will certainly come true if he is one exhale to pay off all the candles on the cake.
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People always believed that the fire concludes supernatural power. The sun was revered by the Supreme Divine. At the same time in antiquity, no one believed that such an invaluable gift, like fire, gods could convey to people completely free. Therefore, there were numerous legends about how the partial of the Divine Light was abducted by the gods.
The fires were for people not only the source of heat. There were all the most important rites and rituals of ancient tribes around them.
Over time, people have learned to spread the element of fire and on other media using torches, and later wax candles. Candles still can be found in every home, but the meaning of fire, as the means of delivery "at the address" of our prayers and requests by many forgotten. But the candle is a direct connection with the other world ...
Why do candles bloom on the cake?
In nine out of ten cases, a person crossed through the threshold of the temple is suitable for a candle drawer. Acquisition to rites begins with a small wax candle. Candle is present in many church services, it is kept in the hands of the newest and combined masonry. Among the many burning candles, funerals are made, the malls of the malls go to the congestion.
On the main Christian holidays - Christmas, baptism, Easter and the Nativity of the Virgin - It is customary to burn not white, but red candles. They possess a special force, and therefore many buy them with hundreds and carry home to use and after the holidays.
Along with the Ladan, the Red Church Candle cleans the house perfectly. And it is believed that with such a candle, the prayer will rather reach the one to whom it is intended.
Many traditions in our lives are connected with candles. For example, a birthday cake. Today he turned simply to decorate the table and funny fun with the stains of the candles. But in fact, this ceremony has its own special meaning.
Our ancestors believed that if in a cake, baked on the birthday of birth, plug candles, then this cake will become a very strong means for the fulfillment of desires. This is because on a birthday next to a person is being his guardian angel (after all, this is his holiday). If you guess the desire and blinked all the candles, it means that your angel helped you blend them, which means that your mental message, your desire to an angel is received and he will deliver it up the instance.
Not only on the birthday of the skies are so favorable to our requests. The same thing happens in the New Year holidays and subsequent shields. This is the time of miracles, magic gifts and the predictions of the future, and the most severe church closes his eyes for two weeks of continuous ghosts.
Reliefing the desire "on the candle" becomes akin to homemade prayer, this is a completely harmless way to send your message to heaven. When you buy candles in the store, pay attention to their color. For each target use a special type of candles. After all, you can use candles whose color is suitable for your desire.
White color - this means the beginning of actions, the beginning of some business.
Red - the color of love, sexual relationship, fertility and color of bold solutions, actions.
Orange - Health. When you get sick, always ignite orange candles.
Yellow - Finance, Career, Creative Plans. Light yellow candle if you want to attract money to the house.
Green - Family, Children, Pets, Plants. Light a green candle before planting a garden or garden for better harvest. Or room plant you want to grow.
Blue is a successful examination of exams, success in school, to light such a candle in front of the far dear.
Pink - if you need to calm down, calmly fall asleep, lit a pink candle.
Brown - Want to change place of residence, solve some material problems? Light a brown candle.
Golden - great action, large plans, power. Want to become president? Golden candles in your home should not translate.
Black is human flaws and discontinuation of some action, the process. If you want to stop something - burn the black candle.
Now, using this information, you can more accurately formulate your requests.
In the countries of Northern Europe, they believe that the money is like to be warm. And often they do such a ritual. They light a candle, and around it lay a circle coins. Candle warms money and multiplies them. Judging by how richly live in Sweden and Finland, the ritual acts.
It is said that before the new year you need to collect all the debts so that the next 12 months of money went to the house, and not from home.
Those who do not believe in this or believes, but not the end can be given such advice. Just at every opportunity, light the candles in the apartment purchased in the church. Or even in the store. And do not allow someone else to touch them before that, because the wax, stearin and paraffin have the ability to absorb energy.
And further. The stronger your desire, the more time it is required for its execution, the thicker should be a candle. And the "crying" candles at all should be avoided - they are to tears.
Like this. Want to believe - you want no, but they say that this is true.
Good luck and be healthy!
Placing candles on a cake in honor of the birthday is a long-standing tradition that stuck in many countries. I would not like to spoil you a holiday, however, this thousand-year tradition is actually quite dangerous, because it contributes to the spread of a multitude of bacteria on the surface of your birthday cake. According to a new study conducted by scientists from the University of Clemson in South Carolina, blossoming candles in the birthday cake can actually Increase the number of bacteria that settle on its glazes, 1400 percent. 
Than the birthday cake is dangerous
In its rather concisely named study, "the spread of bacteria associated with strangling candles on the birthday cake", which was published in the publication "Food Research", scientists made a layout of polystyrene foam, wrapped in tin foil, with candles located on top. 
Participants of the study first had to eat a piece of hot pizza to simulate the situation at the birthday celebration, when the birthday girl has any food, before it is a festive cake. Any food stimulates salivary glands and leads to the spread of bacteria in the mouth. Then the participants pooled candles. 
After that, the researchers collected samples from foil and placed them in a friendly medium friendly. The experiment was repeated three times on some days. It turned out that on average, this tradition increases the number of bacteria on the cake 15 times. 
It all depends on the birthday man
However, it turned out that some people who blooming candles contribute to the greater spread of bacteria than others. As the daily experience suggests, some people produce more saliva than others. For example, one of the participants in the experiment contributed to an increase in the number of bacteria 120 times. 
"Some people can poison candles on the cake, but at the same time not to transfer any bacteria. But there are also people who, because of some reasons, really carry a lot of bacteria, "said Professor Paul Dawson, who was the leading author of this study. 
Is it worth abandoning the tradition
Although all this disgusts, you should not worry too much if you have already been invited to a party in honor of the birthday party, which is planned to bloom with the birthday candles. As the authors of the study, bacteria are part of everyday life. 
In the birthday cake, there may indeed be several potentially harmful microbes, such as streptococcus or staphylococcus, but it is unlikely to be harmful to you. In the end, people probably did it for thousands of years, and "death from the birthday cake" in death certificates is very rare.
"This is not too big health risk," Dawson added. - In fact, even if you sit on a candle 100 thousand times, the probability of getting sick will still be minimal. " 
As you can see, the possession of the candles will not have fatal consequences, but if you are looking for a reason to deny yourself in sweet, you can use this.
All festive traditions have developed historically, and are associated with some ritual from the past. To poison candles on the cake in the modern world is also accepted for a very long time in many countries of the world.
In Germany, from the 18th century, a candle in a cake was put on each children's birthday, and one more than the birthday of years old was fulfilled. Excessive candle symbolized another year, which will successfully live as a child.
The candles were burning all day and changed them, and the child made a desire and blinked them before bedtime. It was believed that smoke, which rose from candles, fell straight to God, acting a child's desire. In those days, no one thought, and whether it was possible to poison candles on the cake, and which damage it could be.
Why you can not poison candles actually
However, not so long ago, scientists conducted the following experiment:
Covered a piece of foam with chocolate icing.
Installed on it a number of candles.
They offered to blow the candles participating in the experiment.
As a result, it turned out that when a person poices candles, he gains a lot of air into the lungs, and then with force he exhales him together with his bacteria on the entire surface of the delicacy.
Then the glaze was investigated for the presence of bacteria, and it was found that the number of microorganisms on the cake tool turned out to be more almost 15 times than before strangling. In one case, pathogenic microbes increased their number by 121,000%. This result was due to the fact that one of the participants in the experiment was ill viral infection.
You can not poison candles if the birthday girl is sick
What happens on the usual holiday, we all know well. After the traditional stuffing of the candles, the cake is cut into pieces and distribute to guests who are enjoying the infected delicacy. So it turns out that the blowing of the candles is not at all a safe tradition.
Therefore, keep in mind if you can poison candles on the cake or not, decide, of course, to you. However, if you have small children, the immune system of which has not yet been strengthened, then the risks of their health are definitely not worth it, especially when the birthday girl has obvious signs of the disease and pokes the candles.
