With each birthday, Americans not only celebrate growth but also the passing of another year. Thus, candles are symbols of both life and and death, as well as both hope and fear. When a person makes a wish over these symbols, he/she invokes powers for good fortune. And when that person snuffs these symbols, he/she expresses the hope to have a degree of control over whatever lies in store for him/her.
Example:
A: Happy birthday! Now close your eyes, make a wish, and blow out the candles.
B: (The birthday girl blows out all of the candles at once.)
A: Hooray for you! You blew them all out in one breath. That means you'll get your wish for sure.
B: But, Dad. You said that you wouldn't allow me to have a chimpanzee as a pet around the house.
A: Oops!
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