One-month-old ceremony

Just as the name suggests, this series of celebrations were held when the child was one month old. The grand feast on this day was one of the most popular celebrations across the country. The fetal hair is also removed on this day. Usually a barber was invited to the household, and would be given some tips after the work.

Another custom was called "moving the nestle." Folk custom ordained that an infant could not go outside the room till it was a month old. Afterward, the mother could carry it in her arms and go to others rooms.

One-hundred-day ceremony

At the age of 100 days, the child was supposed to wear the "100-household clothing," signifying the parents' wish for child to grow up healthily, and the newborn's need for support from the neighbors. The "100-household clothing" was made of cloth from a lot of other families to symbolize their care and love.

The "Long-life lock," a mascot for longevity, was hung on the child's neck on this day. With this decorative article, people believed it could drive away the evil spirits, and "lock" the tender life. The precedent of the "long-life lock" was the "long-life threads" in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD).

One-year ceremony

The most prevalent ceremony as well as one of the most important customs concerning the first birthday was Zhuazhou.

As a traditional, long-time, and still prevalent custom in China, Zhuazhou is essentially a test where parents place an assortment of articles in front of their child for him or her to choose from to determine his or her future inclination and capabilities. The earliest written record of this custom can be traced back to the Song Dynasty.

Zhuazhou is not an occasion for grand feasts and elaborate gifts: The hosts do not even send out invitations. The idea is that relatives will show up spontaneously to celebrate the child's first birthday. Gifts from relatives on this day are usually not costly, and do not include such items as golden or silver jewelry. Instead, dim sum or toys are presented to the child. Seniors visiting the child for the first time usually offer a coin to be fastened around the child's neck with thread. This custom is not only for birthdays, but for many other occasions, as well.

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