#SeriouslyFunFacts

The first ever Candy Sticks was made in 1837 in America. Originally they were just straight white sugar sticks and then red stripes were added later. They were later called Candy Canes in 1866. Believe it or not, they were not always connected to Christmas until 1874. Candy canes also come in peppermint flavours.

In 1920, Candy Canes became popular through the company Bob’s Candies. It is believed the hook/upside down “J” in the candy cane design was a symbol of the shepherd's hook present in the Nativity story.

Another belief is the upside “J” refers to Jesus and the red in the candy is a symbol of Jesus’s blood and the white refers to the purity of Jesus Christ.
The peppermint flavour was linked to the Hyssop plant used in biblical times in the process of purification.

However, all of these meanings and beliefs were associated with Candy Canes after they had become popular and cannot be directly linked to the design of the candy cane.