The legend of the candy cane claims that in Germany, in 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sticks of candy that were bent into the shape of a shepherd’s crook and passed them out to restless children. (They also grew in popularity with the dawning of the Christmas tree and how people decorated them by hanging treats and other food on them.) Shortly after this the candy cane was also adapted to have even more religious meaning when it was turned upside down and looked at as a “J”, as in the name of Jesus. Also the original shepherd’s crook shape was symbolic of how Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” who watches over Christians much like little lambs.
Candy canes are also a hard candy that is solid as a “rock”. The rock is symbolic of the foundation of the Christian Church. Even the flavour of the candy cane has a symbolic religious reference as peppermint is a member of the hyssop family, which in the Old Testament was used for sacrifice and purification. Hyssop is said to symbolize the sacrifice Christ made for the world’s sinners and his purity. Also the white aspect of the candy cane is believed to represent the virgin birth of Christ and again his purity. The red coloured stripes of a candy cane are believed by some to represent God’s love while others say it represents the blood spilled during Christ’s persecution and crucifixion, which he endured for all the sins of the world. Also the three stripes of a candy cane are said to represent the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
Today candy canes are definitely associated with Christmas time. Many people still decorate their trees with them and also hand them out at Church and other places to children. Candy canes also come in an array of flavours and colours but the most popular still has to be the original flavour of peppermint with their white and red stripes.