<P> Though the exact origin and significance of the candle blowing ritual is unknown, there are multiple theories which try to explain this tradition . </P> <P> One theory explaining the tradition of placing candles on birthday cakes is attributed to the early Greeks, who used candles to honor the goddess Artemis' birth on the sixth day of every lunar month . The link between her oversight of fertility and the birthday tradition of candles on cakes, however, has not been established . </P> <P> The use of fire in certain rites dates back to the creation of altars . Birthday candles hold symbolic power . </P> <P> In the past it was believed that evil spirits visited people on their birthdays and that, to protect the person whose birthday it was from evil, people must surround the individual and make them merry . Party - goers made noise to scare away evil spirits . </P>

When did adding birthday candles to cakes originate