Tag: candle

The View of the Birthday Within Ancient Rome

Leave a comment

In Ancient Rome, birthdays referred to as “dies natalis” which means “day of birth” in Latin, were deeply personal and spiritual occasions. Far from the cake and candle rituals of the modern day, the Ancient Romans viewed birthdays as a time to honor their genius, for men, or juno, for women. The genius and juno were guardian spirits believed to guide and protect a person throughout their life. These divine entities were believed to be intrinsically tied to one’s fate, character, and destiny which is why they were revered. The Ancient Romans made offerings on their birthday to their guardian spirit (e.g. wine, incense, small cakes etc.). These rituals were performed at home, sometimes accompanied by prayers or dedications at small residential shrines. For those with wealth or higher status, birthday observances could include more elaborate ceremonies (e.g. feasts with reclining guests, music, gift giving etc.). Even with these additions however, the spiritual aspect of the holiday remained central regardless of class

The Reason Living Wills and Last Will and Testaments Were Developed

1 Comment

Living wills and testaments were designed because it was believed that being prayed for sped up the time in which one stayed in purgatory and although during the modern day, living wills and testaments do not include the prayer portion, this was the main reason the concept was designed during the Middle Ages. Living wills often instructed people to pray for the deceased a set amount of times per day, week, or month, as well as the type of funeral service desired, with minute details being paid attention to (e.g. the type of candles which would burn alongside the gravestone etc.). Living wills and testaments also offered the bequeathing of physical, tangible items that the dead would no longer need. In the modern day, living wills and testaments do not include the prayer portion, but this was the main reason the concept was designed during the Middle Ages

The Origin of Birthday Cakes, Birthday Candles, and Birthday Wishes

Leave a comment

The modern day birthday cake tradition can be traced to Medieval Germany. During the Medieval period, German bakers began creating sweetened bread doughs for birthday celebrations with this specific kind of cake referred to as a “geburtstagstorte” (pronounced “guh-boorts-stocks-tor-tuh” with a slightly rolled “r” sound). German cakes became more elaborate over time, introducing ingredients like sugar. The practice of placing candles upon birthday cakes also has its roots within Germany, as candles were believed to hold special significance. One of the most subscribed to theories of the use of birthday cake candles within Germany is that these candles represented the light of life and blowing them out while making a wish was thought to ensure that the wish would come true. It was believed that the smoke from the candles carried the wishes of the person being celebrated upward, toward the ear of God