The symbolism we currently associate with the candy cane didn't fully come about until the candy came to America. It is true that in Koeln Germany (aka Cologne) in the 1700s a pastor had some candy sticks bent into the shape of a cane to reward those children who were good through the church service near the time when Christ's birth was celebrated, but they used to be plain white. When they came to America, we added stripes.
This is the current symbolism behind the candy cane:
1. Shaped like a shepherd's crook -- because Christ is the good shepherd
2. a hard candy -- because Christ is the rock on which we must build
3. peppermint flavored -- hyssop is also in the peppermint family and was used as part of purification rituals in the Old Testament. The flavor symbolizes how Christ's atoning sacrifice was a pure and worthy sacrifice.
4. white -- for Christ's purity
5. red striped -- for the stripes (whippings and suffering) He bore in our behalf.
So, in a word, I'm all about candy canes as part of our Christmas tradition.
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