Who began the practice about candles and cakes? Well the ancient Greeks did, when they celebrated the birthday of their moon goddess Artemis, with moon-shaped honey cakes surrounded by lighted candles. Candles signified moonlight, the goddess's earthward radiance. However blowing the candles for a wish was a practice rooted back into medieval German celebration called Kindersfeste, held specifically for children. The total numbers of candles was the age of the child plus one. The extra one represents the "light of life".
Check this out: Saying "birthday celebrant" is incorrect. The word celebrant is strictly used for those who participate in religious ceremony such as mass. Anyone who celebrates his birthday, anniversary and other festive occasion is properly called a celebrator.
Bodhi: The Buddhist term for enlightenment, the spiritual awakening all Buddhist strive for.