You have probably grown up with using birthday candles to celebrate your birthday. Each lit candle signifies another year that you have aged. But is it just a symbol of a passing year or does it have a deeper meaning?

Candle lighting has long been associated with different events in a person's life. Christmas candles are lit to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and celebratory candles are used on graduation day. These are just a few of the events that we mark with candles.

The Ancient Greeks were no strangers to lighting candles. They regularly burnt candles as offerings to their gods and goddesses. The traditional birthday cake and birthday candles probably did not resemble what is used now, but had a more significant meaning attached.

It was a way to honor the Greek goddess Artemis, who was the Moon goddess. The round cake was to symbolize the moon and the candles as the moonlight that was shed. There were also other meanings attached to the candles.

The birthday candle on top of the cake was said to be lit as an offering and it was also thought to ward off evil spirits. Some cultures believed that candle lighting times were joyous occasions to offer homage to the gods and goddesses of their belief system.

But at this time, should you have been alive, it was not customary to expect gifts. If you did receive a gift on your birth day, then you were very lucky indeed.

In today's world, scented candles, beeswax candles and even Christmas candles are lit for different reasons than to pay homage or bring good luck from the gods. With so many manufacturers producing candles, it has lost some of its traditional aspect.

But you always have that one time of year when you can count on candles being lit in your honor. Your birthday is a time of celebration for you and your family. The custom has been passed down throughout the years, as you will do the same for your children.

Perhaps it is the tradition of birthday candles that brings so much sentimentality. Sure, as you grow older and the number of candles increases it can be a bit difficult blowing them all out.

But remember that each candle on your cake is a testament to another year of life with which you have been blessed. As you see your children blowing out their own candles, you will be whisked back to a time when you were a child and every wish counted, as you blew with all your might.