Birthday Celebrations: Where did they come from?

Have you ever wondered why, as someone adds another year to their life, we celebrate? Why we humans decided to don paper hats, bake a cake, sing the notorious ‘Happy Birthday’ song and shower the fortunate recipient in presents and gifts? But where, when and how did all these traditions, that have now become standard birthday protocol, originate from? Well the team here at gifts2thedoor wondered the very same, and decided to investigate!

Unsurprisingly, and like many of our standard traditions, the celebration of one’s birthday is rooted deep in human history. In fact, it goes so very far back, it’s believed to have existed far before many of the world’s major religions.

One of the first things humans decided to do when they were put on this Earth was to tell the time, they did this with the kind help of the moon. Once the conception of time was learnt, humans could grasp the length of a year, and thus, the celebration of birthdays was born. Whilst that may prove useful for certain records, such as, well knowing your own age, why the need to celebrate?  This is actually believed to be simply because, at the core of many human beings, lies the fear and enticement of superstition (you know, salt over the shoulder, and picking up pennies). Back in the day, it was common knowledge that at major life events, such as marriage, having a child, and yes, you guessed it, birthdays; evil spirits were far more prevalent. But why the need for a flamboyant party? Simply because humans believed that by having a good time, and being surrounded by those they loved, would ward off the evil spirits.  Loud noises supposedly proved too much for the weak eared spirits, who would flee immediately at the uttering of a few rounds of; ‘happy birthday to you’.

What about planting a few sticks of wax and setting them alight atop the cake, which is later consumed? That, slightly kooky, tradition is further aftermath of those bothersome spirits. It was believe that the light cast from the candles sent a signal to the heavens above, and that the consequential smoke would keep bad spirits at bay.

Surely throwing on a paper hat or crown doesn’t involve these elusive bad spirits? No, this is a tradition connecting purely to the wealthy. Only the truly glamorously rich and fabulous could afford parties many moons ago. And so the new found fad of wearing crowns is a slightly ironic nod or recognition towards history.
 
So there you have it, a quick snapshot idea of why we have birthday celebrations, and where they came from. From the team here at gifts2thedoor, we hope you enjoyed it.