No, it originated with a candymaker in Indiana who wanted to remind children of the real meaning of Christmas. I believe it was back in the late 1800's. It's been a long while since I read the book about it. The green stripe when there is one, I believe represents the tree, which is another name for the cross, but that's not part of the original cane, it came along much later. The rainbow ones, those are just indicative of greedy candy conmpanies. *laughs*