Birth rites - in both old and new times
The tradition of hanging a bow or shawl on the door is also maintained by
some, and more often than not, the bow, with only significant meanings rather
than practical uses, and the shawl, are respectively made by the father or
embroidered by the mother.
The parents are supposed to give the baby two
names (either for a girl or a boy) before it is born, and then write them on a
piece of rice paper and put it in a envelope. The first time the baby is
breastfed, the father will open the envelope and read to the baby its name. The
father is responsible for first reporting the good news to the mother's parents,
and then his own parents. In different places, various gifts will be presented.
Three days after a child is born, some parents are still to shoot an arrow to
the sky if it is a baby boy, to carry the parents' wish of encouragement,
blessing the child. Water with Chinese medical herbs is more often used now to
bathe the new child.
After the bathing ceremony, the relatives and friends will have the
"three-day" ceremony noodles at the host's.
Concerning the one-month ceremony, there is a new and popular fashion of
shooting a photo album, as the tradition of holding a grand feast is maintained.
On this day, the child's fetal hair will also be removed. When the child is 100
days old, some parents will create another album for the newborn.
On the first birthday ceremony, the practices are mostly like that of the
tradition, while the tradition of Zhuazhou has added some new choices for the
child, like the mouse to stand for the IT industry, whereas some outdated feudal
items, like the official's stamp, are removed from the choices.
Author: Jeff
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