by Theresa Carbone

Created on: December 11, 2008

According to an article on About.com entitled "History of Candy Canes," written by Mary Bellis, the origin of the candy cane goes back about 350 years. Supposedly candy canes originated in Cologne, Germany. Candy canes were straight and completely white in color at first. Mary says that the first reference to the cane shaped sticks goes back to 1670. The candy canes (still all white in color) were a means to pacify children at a service. The custom of handing out the candy canes spread throughout Europe and then landed in America back in 1847, when a German immigrant decorated his tree with the canes.

Mary Bellis goes on to say that the first stripes were put on candy canes about 50 years after their appearance in America. Old Christmas cards depict the canes as completely white until about 1900. It is said that candy maker Bob McCormick of Albany, Georgia created the red striped candies as a treat for friends and family. Not too long after that candy- makers added peppermint and wintergreen flavors. This flavored cane became very popular used in many households as decorations on their Christmas trees.

There may also be a religious meaning behind the candy canes birth. Some believe that the candy cane is shaped like the letter "J" in Jesus' name. The hard candy is supposed to represent the "rock", which is the foundation for the Church. The peppermint flavor is similar to an herb, called hyssop, which was used for purifications and sacrifices. It is also said that the red stripes represent Jesus' blood which spilled from his body during his ultimate sacrifice, whilst the white candy represent his body. The three stripes are said to represent the Holy Trinity. As there may be many different theories about the birth of the candy cane the is no supporting evidence that ties the candy cane and Jesus Christ.

So whether you believe that the candy cane derived from a symbol of Jesus and the Church or just because some kids were being impatient is mostly up to you. As stated earlier in this article there is no sufficient evidence directly connecting the cane to the Church. As for the production of stripes and flavors there are historical facts proving who invented them and when. As for this day and age, we recognize these candies as a symbol of Christmas time and mainly nothing more. So next time you grab a candy cane from the Christmas tree think about where this candy may have originally came from: sweet spiritual sucker or classic candy concoction.

References:

http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/ a/candy_canes.htm

http://www.starstuffs.com/xmas/cand ycane_meaning.html

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