Why Do We Blow Out Birthday Candles?

Look at a birthday cake. What is on top? Candles. People put candles on cakes all over the world. But why?

Long ago, people in ancient Greece had a special idea. They made round cakes for Artemis, the goddess of the moon. They put lit candles on the cakes. The candles glowed like the moon. The smoke from the fire carried wishes up to the sky.

Later, people in Germany started a new tradition called Kinderfest. It was a party for children. They put one candle on a cake for each year of the child's life. They added one extra candle, too. That extra candle meant hope for another year to live.

Today, we still put candles on birthday cakes. We turn off the lights. The room gets dark. The cake looks bright and pretty.

Then, the birthday person makes a secret wish. They take a big breath. They blow out all the candles at one time.

Why do we do this? People say if you blow out all the candles with one breath, your wish will come true. But you must keep the wish a secret. If you tell someone, the wish might not work!

Do you like birthday cake? What is your favorite flavor?