Numerous legends are wrapped around the origins of the famous red and white, peppermint-flavoured candy canes. According to one story, it was an elder of Cologne Cathedral who had candy canes first made in the 17th century to give them to children, as a reward if they served at the altar or had behaved well in church. The canes are modelled after a shepherd’s crook to remind people of the shepherds who came to pay homage to Jesus at Bethlehem. This is also why candy canes were traditionally shared out during nativity plays. Both nativity plays and candy canes spread across Europe and eventually also to the United States, where candy canes are still an important Christmas symbol even today.