Candy canes

Heard something on the radio today, went searching through the internet and found some info to post:

According to some candy cane tradition, the meaning of the "J"-shaped treat can be traced back to the birth of Christ. The shepherd's staff, it is said, was the inspiration for the candy cane. Of course, the image of the shepherd fills the pages of the New Testament: Christ is called the Good Shepherd; angels appeared to shepherds at His birth, etc. In addition, there is another symbolism in the candy cane design: if you turn the candy cane upside down, it becomes the letter "J" for Jesus. And there is more. Tradition suggests that the candy cane's stripes symbolize the stripes, or whipping, that Christ received before He was crucified. It is said that the candy cane is made with red stripes as a representation of the blood of Jesus, who washed away our sins. The white stripes (sometimes symbolizing the Virgin Birth) represent Christ's ability to make us pure as snow. The hardness of the candy cane is said to represent the solid rock or the firm foundation of Christ and His promises.