Chinese Birthday Traditons That Will Surprise You

Chinese birthday traditions differ quite a bit from how their Western counterparts do things. Cutting the cake, exchanging gifts, and singing a birthday song is normally how one envisions a jolly affair like this to go. The traditions will give you the answer to what is a Chinese birthday. However, in Chinese birthday traditions, the elements sometimes do not celebrate it at all, apart from a small acknowledgement! While indigenous celebrations and traditions may seem alien to people residing in China, learning and respecting customs you’re not familiar with can help you stay cognizant and aware. The Chinese birthday traditions might even pleasantly surprise a Chinese friend. Better hop on Google with your “happy birthday in Mandarin searches”!

The Symbolism In Chinese Birthday Traditions

Like many cultures around the world, a Chinese birthday, too, holds symbolic meanings behind their rituals and traditions. Deeply entrenched in culture, the symbolism takes inspiration from centuries-old mythological happenings and events. Here are some symbols of Chinese birthday traditions:

1. The Chinese birthday calendar

The Chinese calendar in Chinese birthday traditions does not work the same way as an ordinary calendar does. So it only makes sense that the symbolism Chinese birthday traditions imbibe, too, differ. The Chinese calendar dictates that a baby is already a year old when they’re born, unlike the commonplace custom where the age is calculated after a full year after birth according to the traditions of Chinese birthdays. 

The Chinese also have three different meanings of the word age: the modern age system, where the baby skips the Lunar year’s edition, and then the solid age, where age is calculated with the help of years from birth, and the traditional system of age where the infant turns one right after birth.

2. The Red Envelope

Chinese birthday traditions can be quite fun for the person celebrating it as they receive the “red envelope” or “hongbao” (红包) in Mandarin. A symbolic and historically crucial gift one receives on their birthday. The hongbao, within the traditions of Chinese birthdays, is usually given by elders to the younger birthday celebrant and is more than just a financial gift. The red envelope is one of the most endured Chinese birthday celebrations for centuries and generations and happens during every auspicious event.

3. Zhuazhou

One of the oldest Chinese birthday traditions, Zhuazhou, refers to the symbolic tradition that is performed when a child is born into a Chinese family according to the Chinese birthday calendar. During this ritual, various objects are placed in front of the child, each object symbolising various aspects of life. These include a rice bowl, an abacus, a toy, paintbrushes and more. The child is then encouraged to pick from these choices. During a Chinese birthday, a rice bowl would symbolise the love for food and enjoying the pleasures of life and much more as part of the traditions in Chinese birthday celebrations. This Chinese birthday ritual has grown over the years and included different modern objects as time has gone on. It’s a way to connect with Chinese heritage as well as believed to reflect the child’s innate talents and appreciation.

Counting ages in Chinese culture 

Chinese birthday traditions are filled with surprising anecdotes of the ancient Chinese culture. One of this is the age counting in birthdays. You must also have heard about what to wear to a Chinese birthday party as all these traditions for Chinese birthday intertwin with each other.

Preparation for the celebrations

Probably the most important and  fun part of any of the Chinese birthday traditions is the preparation. Excited family members gather around to make the day as special as possible for the birthday celebrant. While some methods may overlap with other cultures, a happy birthday in Mandarin has in store some other methods as well!

1. Choosing the right date

In Chinese birthday traditions, for the young ones, a Chinese birthday is usually organised by the elders, who choose the most auspicious day according to the Lunar calendar for commemoration. This date is selected based on the child’s zodiac sign and the lunar phases of the moon. 

2. The culmination of family members

In Chinese birthday traditions, all the members of the family, especially elders, collaborate together and finalise the date using the Chinese birthday calendar. The preparations are made, and everything from room decor to the guest list is taken care of. 

3. Traditional respect

The birthday celebrations decided using the Lunar Chinese birthday calendar feature traditional Chinese decorations. Red is the predominant colour, and items such as red lanterns and red banners with culturally significant phrases are decorated within the house. 

4. The guest list and invites

The guest invites themselves in Chinese birthday traditions, following Chinese birth rituals and feature intricate calligraphy and poetry verses carrying positive messages. Family members, close friends, and sometimes business associates and colleagues are the first names on the guest list. 

5. The feast

We will talk about traditional Chinese birthday foods in the upcoming sections of Chinese birthday traditions, but in a gist, the whole gathering comes together and feasts.

6. Chinese birthday traditions and attires

The family and the child often wear traditional Chinese clothes such as qipao and tangzhuang to honour the occasion. There are various Chinese birthday traditions that are also followed during the ceremony.

Traditional Birthday Foods

Food plays an important role in Chinese birthday traditions, and the menu is carefully curated to follow cultural norms and traditions. Each food item carries a certain meaning and is meant to be eaten in a specific way. These measures are adhered to strictly to ensure the child’s good fortune.

1. The Longevity Noodles (Changshou Mian)

These are the essentials for a shengri kuai le (生日快乐) - happy birthday in Mandarin. The long, uncut noodles symbolise a fulfilling and long, prosperous life. Eating these in one go is believed to preserve and even increase the child’s vitality and health. 

2. Whole Fish (Yú)

The fish is cooked and served whole with all parts left intact. This is a part of Chinese birthday traditions, and the wholeness of the fish symbolises unity within the family. The word “yu” in Chinese also means “surplus” or “abundance”, which are all key components in a Chinese birth anniversary.

3. Red Bean Soup (Hong Dou Tang)

Although it might sound savoury, the Hong Dou Tang is a flavorful dessert which represents happiness during Chinese birthday traditions. The sweetness of the dish is a way of expressing joy and love in the child’s life.

4. Sweet Rice Balls (Tangyuan)

These round, gluten-filled balls are sweet, no doubt, but also symbolise family togetherness and unity, like how the rice sticks together.

5. Red Eggs (Dan Dan) & Ginger

Dan Dan, infused with ginger, is served during important family occasions, such as a birthday, according to the Chinese birthday calendar and Chinese birthday traditions. A red dye is added to the hard-boiled eggs, and now that we know the colour red holds significance in Chinese culture, the dish signifies good luck and the cycle of life.

Rituals and Customs: Preserving the Past

The past holds a special place in the hearts of Chinese people across the globe. A key reason why many of its centuries-old traditions and rituals. One of which is Chinese birthday traditions. Chinese people residing in every corner of the world adhere to the traditions. Don’t believe us; ask any Chinese-origin person about the festivities during the Spring Festival. The same carries over to Chinese birthday traditions. Shrines are also set up to make these offerings. There is even an offering made to the Kitchen God (Zao Jun or Zou Jen)! 

During every Chinese birthday, according to Chinese birthday traditions, many families provide offerings to their ancestors through incense, offering food, and expressing, in general, gratitude for their blessings. The younger birthday celebrants also often express their respect to elders by making tea and doing a formal bow on their birthday, a Chinese birthday staple. As we mentioned earlier, special dishes are made, families wear red, and often offer donations in the Chinese birthday calendar. 

Cultural Trends and Differences

It is interesting to note and ponder the differences between Chinese birthday traditions and the birthdays we are familiar with. 

1. Regional differences

China is the third largest country in the world, so it is natural that one notices cultural differences in Chinese birthday traditions in different parts. Many regions prefer eating longevity noodles, while others prefer peach-shaped buns. A majority celebrate their “benmingnian” (本命年) or their zodiac signs during their particular zodiac year in lines of Chinese birthday traditions. Some people also do the Lion Dance during important events like a birthday. 

2. First vs 100th Birthday!

There is a different method of celebrating your birthday in Chinese birthday traditions for your first and your 100th day after birth. The 100th day after an infant’s birth is considered culturally and historically more important and obviously celebrated with more fanfare.

3. Modernisation and Western influence

Modernisation and globalisation have resulted in a Chinese birthday also receiving some influence from the West as well as other parts of the world. Chinese birthday traditions now also witness birthday cakes being cut, as well as adopting outfits and parties inspired by the Western world. 

4. Rural vs Urban celebrations

Even the phrase happy birthday in Mandarin changes from region to region. There also come differences in the different classes and sections celebrating birthdays. Rural Chinese birthday celebrations can tend to be simpler and follow traditional customs more. In contrast, the urban world may be more influenced by Western culture while still retaining elements from Chinese birthday traditions. 

5. Multicultural influences

China may feature people who originate from or belong to other countries, such as Hong Kong or more. Therefore the celebrations in Chinese birthday traditions need not always follow the Chinese birthday calendar. 

Now that you have all of this information in your arsenal, you better learn how to pronounce 生日快乐 (shengri kuai le), happy birthday in Mandarin for your Chinese friends or acquaintances. Chinese birthday traditions provide us with a glimpse into the way Chinese culture and heritage have evolved over the centuries. Despite the influence the West possesses, a Chinese birthday still carries elements and practices that are traditional. However, like birthdays from around the world, a Chinese birthday still provides the celebrants with the core belief of celebrating one’s special day with meaningful gestures and love.