WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHINESE BIRTHDAYS
A birthday is a time when someone celebrates the anniversary of his or her birth. It is the expression of thanking God for the gift of life and hopeful for many more to come. Birthdays are often celebrated with parties, cakes and gifts. However, this cannot be fully said about China.
In China, the celebration of birthdays is a novel idea brought about by Westernization. Chinese birthdays are still governed by some traditional superstitions. Consequently, not all birthdays are celebrated in China. This can be said for the older generations who celebrate certain birthdays like coming of age at sixty and infant birthdays.
Within a highly educated family, birthdays are celebrated every year, it really depends on the environment and family of the celebrant.
The first important birthday in China is the one-month celebration for babies called the red egg and ginger party. This custom dates back to ancient times when infant mortality rate was high. The celebration of a month old baby is very unique as sacrifices are offered to the gods to protect the baby in his or her subsequent life. Gifts of red eggs are given to symbolize the changing process of life, a harmonious and happy life.
Also, in the Chinese culture, 60 is seen as a full life cycle, this is celebrated in large scale with lots of food and gifts because on this particular year, the same Chinese animal zodiac sign and elemental zodiac aligns to be the same as at birth.
The history of the 60th birthday is based on the Chinese astrology. Twelve animals symbolize astrological signs. The Chinese calendar is based on the 12signs ( Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.) and the five natural elements: metal, fire, water, earth and wood (reminds me of the avatar).
Peaches are a good gift for the elderly when celebrating their 60th birthday because it represents mortality.
After that, birthday celebrations are held every ten years; on the 70th, 80th, 90th and so on until the person’s death. Generally, the older the person is, the greater the celebration.
CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS
The Chinese can celebrate birthdays with or without cakes. Although, there are some important rules or guidelines that need to be followed as to have a proper birthday not followed by shortness of life or death.
The Longevity Noodles and Red Eggs: this literally means long-life noodles and are essential to be eaten at birthdays. The “longevity noodles” eaten on one’s birthday consists of a single, long and unbroken strand of noodle, lengthy enough to fill up a bowl.
It is believed the longer the noodles, the bigger the wish for a long life. The longevity noodle is assumed to grant long life to the celebrant (my opinion, it works!!!! The average Chinese life expectancy is 78). The red egg signifies a new beginning after the shell has been removed.
Special care needs to be taken while eating the longevity noodles, as to cut them would indicate shortness of life.
RECEIVING GIFTS ON BIRTHDAYS
Gifting is something celebrants always look forward to on birthdays. In China, things are quite different from others. It is a taboo to give a gift wrapped in black colour as it symbolizes death. A gift wrapped in colours like red which signifies life or pink would be much more appreciated.
Also, gifting of a watch, a clock and flowers (specifically yellow or white chrysanthemum) are a no-no. It represents paying last respect to the dead and “DEATH” respectively. The Chinese hate been reminded of mortality, especially on their birthdays. Dead flowers are for funerals and are not to be brought to happy occasions, it means “I wish you were dead” oops!
However, as the saying goes “to every general rule, there is an exception”. In this case, a watch can be accepted as a gift if it comes from a luxury brand or has a very high price tag.
Likewise, the gift of an umbrella or a knife is really not valued as it means the friendship would be broken, dissolved or severed. Besides, the gifting of a mirror is seen as an invitation to ghosts, so this is avoided too, sadly.
Of recent, some Chinese people accept flowers and mirrors as the case may be.
If you are quite confused on what to give that would literally not mean death or breaking up a friendship, you can always take the universal method of giving red packets (红包 Hong Bao) filled with money that symbolizes blessings with good fortunes. Fruits are another alternative.
I hope you learnt something new today! I definitely did while researching this topic as what to and what not to do on Chinese birthdays to Chinese friends. Share with your friends and family if you did.
Have a nice day!
再见。
