Since Finnish Independence in 1918, it has been a tradition for families in Finland to place two lighted candles in each window of their homes on Dec. 6 to celebrate Itsenäisyyspäivä (Finnish Independence Day). Many people of Finnish descent in the U.S. also do the same. However, did you know that this long-time tradition actually came from an even earlier tradition?

Legend tells us that in the 1800s and early 1900s, two candles were used as a sign to young Finnish men — who were on their way to Sweden or Germany to join the infantry — that the house offered shelter and a place to h...