[custom_adv] Birthdays are the one time of year when it’s truly your day. Unfortunately, birthdays aren’t immune to disastrous events. Bad experiences can be even worse when it happens on what’s supposed to be your special day. [custom_adv] We found some of the worst birthday horror stories on Reddit that range from being stood up to being sick — all on a day that should have been filled with birthday magic. Although INSIDER cannot independently verify these stories, they are certainly entertaining. [custom_adv] Everyone knows that birthdays are supposed to be happy. Even though we are celebrating aging, it’s still supposed to be a joyous – a day all about you! Except apparently these people’s friends and families didn’t get the memo and ruined everyone’s good time. Check out these 24 Reddit users who were brave enough to share their sad birthday stories with you. [custom_adv] Said to be rooted in ancient Egypt and tied to coronations (which automatically made a mere mortal into a god), the Greeks later expanded upon the celebration theme by placing candles on moon-shaped honey cakes made for the lunar goddess Artemis. [custom_adv] Lighted candles signaled a prayer was being sent. Some subscribe to a German origin for birthday candles, however, as one would be placed in the middle of bread or cake baked into the shape of baby Jesus, symbolizing the light of life. [custom_adv] As for blowing out the candles, the Greeks believed rising smoke took one’s prayers and wishes up to the sky, where the gods lived. In Europe, birthday candles were often kept burning all day both to celebrate and ward off evil spirits.
