En Fuego

Amy W. shared the phrase "en fuego" today, meaning a person is figuratively "on fire." What an appropriate phrase to use today! Here is a photo taken this afternoon of my grandmother's birthday cake which, as you can see, was "en fuego" — literally! Tai Paw will turn ninety-seven this Wednesday.

The candles are grouped in "9" and "6," because my aunt ran out of candles and couldn't come up with the "7." We all rationalized that since she was actually still ninety-six, this was perfectly fine! (The flames were really that high! This photo is not digitally enhanced!)

So, where did that custom of lighting birthday candles come from, anyway?

Some say that the custom of lighting candles on cakes began with the Greeks. Cakes were offered to Artemis, the Goddess of the Moon, and lit candles helped to make the round cakes glow like the moon.

In a lecture on the subject presented by the Culinary Historians of Washington, DC, it was explained that candles were also instrumental in measuring time. In the ninth century, King Alfred of England came up with the system of measuring the day's hours with candles.

It is said that the tradition of putting candles on cakes originated in Germany to celebrate the Kinderfest, an 18th century celebration for children. A letter written by Goethe in 1799 describes the Kinderfest. "…when it was time for dessert, the prince’s entire livery…carried a generous-size torte with colorful flaming candles – amounting to some fifty candles – that began to melt and threatened to burn down, instead of there being enough room for candles indicating upcoming years, as is the case with children’s festivities of this kind…” This German tradition of candles on cakes can also be traced back to the 16th century practice of placing candles on Christmas trees.

Many cultures around the world use light to celebrate important occasions and holiday traditions. Here is a weblink to Festivals of Light Around the World http://www.everythingesl.net/lessons/light_festivals.php

Since we started this whole birthday cake discussion with that Grecian moon reference, it's fitting that you mark your calendars for a partial lunar eclipse on June 26, and December 21, 2010 for a total lunar eclipse. Maybe you can light a candle for Artemis while you are enjoying the eclipse!