The Significance of Birthdays: Children Celebrate Three Birthdays, While Elders Celebrate Three Lifetimes

For families with children and the elderly, birthdays are something they must celebrate。 Some people even look forward to the next birthday while celebrating the current one。 There is an old saying that “babies must be celebrated three times” and “elderly people’s birthdays have three levels of celebration“。 These traditions reflect the respect for life and the continuation of filial piety culture in Chinese society。

The custom of celebrating birthdays for children refers to celebrating their first birthday, tenth birthday, and twentieth birthday。 Each of these milestones has special significance:

• First Birthday (Zuozhuo): This is the traditional Chinese ceremony to celebrate a baby’s first year of life。 It includes rituals like walking in a circle with chopsticks and eating longevity noodles to symbolize health and good fortune。
• Tenth Birthday (Shi Ji): The tenth birthday marks an important transition for children, where they start to grow out of babyhood。 Families often hold celebrations that include games and activities tailored to the child’s age。
• Twentieth Birthday (Er Shi Ji): The twentieth birthday is considered a major milestone in many Chinese communities。 It is often celebrated with grand feasts and rituals symbolizing good health, success, and long life。

In terms of celebrating birthdays for the elderly, there are three levels:

1. Lower Level (60 years old): In ancient times, reaching 60 was a significant achievement。 People often held modest celebrations to honor this milestone while respecting their parents if they were still alive。
2. Middle Level (80 years old): Turning 80 is considered a major accomplishment and a time for family reunions。 Festivities include traditional rituals, grand banquets, and expressions of good wishes for health and longevity。
3. Upper Level (100 years or more): Reaching 100 is extremely rare and honorable。 Celebrations are elaborate affairs with neighboring villages participating in the festivities to congratulate the family on such a special occasion。

These traditions, while rooted in the past, continue to evolve today。 With improved living standards and medical care, people are now more likely to celebrate all major birthdays for both children and the elderly。 This reflects our respect for life and the enduring values of filial piety。

Special Note: While our innate luck cannot be changed, we can adjust our future luck through actions like adjusting our environment, changing names, or consulting experts in divination to bring good fortune and avoid misfortune。