Some say the modern day use of birthday candles originated in Germany, where people used to place a large candle in the centre of the cake to symbolize "the light of life".
The range of candles available today is immense and innovative. Simple or fancy, the common factor is that people usually make a silent wish before blowing out candles on their birthday cake. It is believed that blowing them all out in a single breath signals that the wish will come true, and that the person will enjoy good luck in the coming year.
