Candles

 In March, the family celebrated by husband's 80th birthday.  That's a lot of candles to put on a cake.  Where did this tradition come from--adding a candle for each year to celebrate a birthday?

History points to the ancient Greeks.  Tradition tells us that candles were used to honor the goddess Artemis, the goddess of the moon.  The flame on a candle is like the light the moon gives.  The smoke dispersed in the air was pictured as offerings to the moon goddess.

It's such a nice image.  Even candles are still used today.  Candles add a nice touch.  On birthdays, it makes the birthday person special.  They get their very own cake; just to celebrate their life.  

Adding candles makes a dinner romantic.  Put some easy, soft music on, and the evening is amorous.

Candles in religion are important.  They exemplify light.  All religions I know of, use them. In ancient Egyptian times, candles were used to honor gods.  Buddhism uses candles during meditation.  Since Judaism uses candles to memorialize people and events, Christianity continued the practice. 

Light from a candle is a metaphor of life and light, which is perfect to mark birthdays, and religious ritual.  In the final analysis, candles used for birthdays, romantic evenings, and of course religious rituals, enrich the celebration. They're metaphors, expressing love, hope and love.