It
is assumed that carousing Birthdays in Europe commenced with
the originally Iranian cult of Mithras in Roman Empire. It
was very rare during the middle ages but with the advent
of reformation it was resurrected.
A happy
Birthday song is conventionally sung to accolade the
person celebrating his birthday. The carnival is followed
by the blowing out of candles and then slicing the highly
decorated birthday cake. The rite of blowing out of candles
has got a significance which is believed by most people.
It is a means of wish fulfillment. If all the candles
can be blown out with one breath then the wish is believed
to come true. The birthday cake is very nicely decorated
and it is garlanded with lit candles. The singing of
birthday song can be performed at any place, even in
restaurants at the delivery of the dessert or the very
special birthday cake.
Numeral candles
are also used where the number of candles may prove to be
a fire hazard. Numeral candles means the shape of the candle
will be numeral, for e. g. if the person’s age is fifty
then instead of lighting fifty candles only a numeral 5 followed
by a numeral 0 will be placed on the cake.
On Birthday,
the honored person gets a hug, a call or letters from his
friends and family. Kids usually enjoy this special day
by playing games such as Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Musical
Chairs and hitting Piñatas. Adults prefer to celebrate
their birthday privately in some restaurants by having
a dinner with their friends.
A tradition
of Surprise Parties is also popular. The Birthday boy or
the Birthday girl receives no greetings from his/her family
at the beginning of the day because a surprise party has
been organized to delight the honored person.
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