BIRTH & HOPE - The Legend of Three Mornings & Red Eggs
According to Chinese custom, the rites of birth consisted of a series of ceremonies which included "three mornings", "the thirtieth day", the first "one hundred days", and "one full year" of a baby's life.
"Three mornings" refers to a ceremony of birth held on the third morning after a baby is born. The baby receives a ceremonial first bath presided over by the midwife who assisted at the birth. The family members and close friends bring the new mother gifts of food such as red hard boiled eggs which symbolize joy and abundant luck. Other symbolic items are placed on the bathing table to ward off evil spirits and keep the baby safe.
"The thirtieth day" after the arrival of the baby is cause for celebration. Because infant mortality rates in China used to be quite high, a month-old baby was more likely to survive. A newborn was traditionally not named or formally accepted into the family until this time. A party was planned, and the mother made her first public appearance. Guests returned home with small gifts and customary red eggs and ginger that are still a part of this celebration.
"The one hundredth day" marks another celebration with friends and relatives bringing gifts.
Historically,"the first birthday" celebration for baby boys was an auspicious occasion for parents who had aspirations for their son achieving civil rank. Various objects were placed in front of the baby, and the object the baby reached for was an indication of the baby's future path. It was also the last individual birthday celebrated until the boy reached sixty.
BIRTH & HOPE - The Legend of Three Mornings & Red Eggs
According to Chinese custom, the rites of birth consisted of a series of ceremonies which included "three mornings", "the thirtieth day", the first "one hundred days", and "one full year" of a baby's life.
"Three mornings" refers to a ceremony of birth held on the third morning after a baby is born. The baby receives a ceremonial first bath presided over by the midwife who assisted at the birth. The family members and close friends bring the new mother gifts of food such as red hard boiled eggs which symbolize joy and abundant luck. Other symbolic items are placed on the bathing table to ward off evil spirits and keep the baby safe.
"The thirtieth day" after the arrival of the baby is cause for celebration. Because infant mortality rates in China used to be quite high, a month-old baby was more likely to survive. A newborn was traditionally not named or formally accepted into the family until this time. A party was planned, and the mother made her first public appearance. Guests returned home with small gifts and customary red eggs and ginger that are still a part of this celebration.
"The one hundredth day" marks another celebration with friends and relatives bringing gifts.
Historically,"the first birthday" celebration for baby boys was an auspicious occasion for parents who had aspirations for their son achieving civil rank. Various objects were placed in front of the baby, and the object the baby reached for was an indication of the baby's future path. It was also the last individual birthday celebrated until the boy reached sixty.