Many of our favorite Christmas traditions are rooted in religion. Santa Claus, holiday songs, and even red and green as Christmas colors all have a significant meaning. But, what about the candy cane? While many just believe they are the sweet treat of the season, the history of the candy cane reveals the symbolism and meaning behind the familiar shape and colors.
In this article, we're going to explore the symoblism behind the candy cane stripes and the religious meaning of this sweet treat that is so beloved during the Christmas season.
The Colors of the Candy Cane
Candy canes were not always striped. When first created, they were all white. They did not receive their characteristic stripes until around the 1900s.
Legend has it, a candymaker in Indiana found the white candies somewhat plain. Being a man of faith, he reinvented the traditional candies by adding a vibrant red stripe and thus created a new symbolism of the candy cane stripes. White is representative of the purity of the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. The color red represents the blood of Christ that was sacrificed on our behalf for our salvation.
The pattern of the candy cane stripes are not an accident, either, and are rooted in Christian meaning. The three small stripes represent the scourging Jesus received on the Road to Gethsemane. The large red stripe is for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.
What Does the Candy Cane’s Shape Represent?
The first candy cane was created in 1670 by a choirmaster in Germany. They were made a gift to the children who attended a Christmas Nativity pageant. Sticking with the Nativity theme, the choirmaster decided to bend the candy sticks to resemble the shape of a shepherd's crook. Soon, these candy canes became a tradition in the church and eventually spread across Europe.
While rooted in religion, the hook shape came with an added bonus - it hung easily on the Yule tree for festive decoration! While the Yule holiday eventually became Christmas, the fun tradition of hanging the hook-shaped candy on the tree is still prominent today.
Candy Cane Christian Symbolism Explained
The candy cane is more than just a festive treat; it holds profound Christian symbolism that ties directly to the story of Jesus Christ. The iconic shape of the candy cane resembles a shepherd's staff, reminding us of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lovingly guides and protects His flock. The red stripes symbolize the blood of Christ, shed for the forgiveness of sins, while the white stripes represent His purity and the promise of salvation. Together, these elements create a powerful visual reminder of the true meaning of Christmas—a celebration of God’s gift of love and redemption through His Son.
History of Candy Canes at Christmas
The candy cane is not the only Christmas tradition with a deeper meaning. A number of Christmas traditions from around the world are rooted in longstanding heritages of faith. At this time of year, many churches commemorate advent over the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Through many adaptations over the years, traditions ultimately keep us rooted to the true meaning of the season and connect us to a long line of believers stretching back centuries.
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