It is one of the universal symbols of Christmastime. Although I’m not entirely convinced that children are really thrilled with the taste of a candy cane, their special nature makes them irresistible. Their unique shape makes them perfect for decorating Christmas trees, and their mint flavor makes them more of a breath freshener than an actual candy. Yet, kids gobble them up nonetheless.
The candy cane has its unique history, just like every other aspect of Christmas. And just like every other aspect of Christmas, the history is based partially on fact and partially on myth. There is always dispute about the actual origin of Christmas traditions and their recorded origins.
The Evolution of the Candy Cane
Europeans claim to be the first to bring Christmas trees inside and decorate them. The decorations were modest by today’s standards but served their purpose well. Simple decorations were fashioned from candy, fruits, and small decorative trinkets that could be balanced on the tree branches. Candles were added to light up the tree during the long, dark, cold nights. Of course, this could easily result in the loss of home, property, and life.
The original candy cane was a straight peppermint stick that could be balanced on the tree branches as an exclusive Christmas tree decoration. They were, of course, unwrapped at that time, and often the flames from the candles assisted in the melting process, but they were used just the same.
The first actual candy cane arrived at a pageant in Europe, of all places. The pageant used live crèches, with living mangers, animals, and whatnot. As part of one of these pageants, the choirmaster bent the original peppermint stick into a hook shape in an effort to resemble the shepherds’ crooks. He passed these out to the children who attended the pageant, much like a trinket gift. The usefulness of this shape caught on quite quickly, and over the years, the peppermint stick was eventually fashioned primarily with the crook shape around Christmastime.
However, unlike the candy canes of today, the peppermint stick was a plain white stick. It didn’t receive its telltale red stripe until much later. The original candy cane that hit the pageant circuit came about around 1670, while the candy received its red stripe around 1900.
In the 1800s, the candy cane, the decorated Christmas tree, and the eventual red stripe made their way to the newly born United States. Despite an attempted ban on the holiday, the candy cane grew in popularity when it was held upside down to resemble the letter “J” for Jesus.
Beyond that, the crook shape was said to resemble the figurative crook that Jesus used to watch over his “flock” of people. This association further increased the popularity of the Christmas candy. Jesus had reportedly used hyssop as a purifier and a blessing. Hyssop is a member of the mint family.
When the red stripe appeared on the candy, it was said to represent the blood spilled by Jesus at the hands of Roman soldiers. Those with three thin stripes were interpreted as a representation of the Holy Trinity. The white was said to symbolize Jesus’ purity and the innocence of his virginal birth.
These associations created a religious symbolic backdrop for the holiday candy, leading to its overall acceptance as a tradition. Of course, these theories have been scrutinized over the years by skeptics, atheists, and others who believe the candy is simply a candy. In this day and age, it’s up to each individual to determine whether they believe the candy holds any religious value or if it’s simply a decoration that we have come to love in celebration of the holiday season.
Either way, the candy cane is now a traditional symbol of the Christmas holiday, passed out to children and adults to spread joy and holiday cheer. Over time, the peppermint stick has undergone transformations and is now available in different shapes, colors, and flavors. The classic red and white peppermint hook, however, still remains the favorite among candy canes.