Thought I would post how other countries celebrate birthdays. Some quite strange.
Birthday Traditions in Different Countries
Africa - Initiation Ceremonies. In various African nations they hold initiation ceremonies for groups of children instead of birthdays. When children reach a certain designated age, they learn the laws, beliefs, customs, songs and dances of their tribes.
China - Noodles for Lunch. The birthday child pays respect to his/her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life.
Denmark - Flying Flags. A flag is flown outside a window to designate that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child's bed while they are sleeping so they will see them immediately upon awakening.
England - Fortune telling cakes. Certain symbolic objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it is being prepared. The object that you find in your piece predicts your future. For example, if your piece of cake has a coin in it you will be rich. If your piece of cake has a poisonous spider in it, however, it is a sign that you probably won't live long..
Holland - Crown Years. Even birthday years are called "crown" years. The birthday child receives an especially large gift on a crown year birthday. The family also decorates the birthday child's chair at the dining room table with seasonal flowers.
Hindu - Children only celebrate their birthdays until they are 16 years old. Their birthday is a very religious celebration. They take flowers to the temple and the child receives a blessing from a priest.
Ireland - Birthday Bumps. The birthday child is lifted upside down and "bumped" on the floor for good luck. The number of bumps given is the age of the child plus one for extra good luck.
ouch!
Israel - Chair Raising. A small child sits in a chair while grown-ups raise and lower it a number of times corresponding to the child's age, plus one for good luck.
Japan - New Clothes. The birthday child wears entirely new clothes to mark the occasion. Certain birthdays are more important than others and these are celebrated with a visit to the local shrine.
Korea - One of the most important birthdays is a child's first birthday. The children are dressed in special clothes and are taken in front of a large gathering of friends and family members. There is a big feast and the guests leave money for the new one-year old child. The child's future is told by the items the birthday child picks up.
Mexico - Children in Mexico have birthday customs that have been around for centuries. Most birthday parties in Mexico include a piñatas. A piñatas is a large paper-mache object that is shaped like something appealing and covered with colorful paper. The piñatas is filled with candy and treats. Piñatas are often shaped like animals or stars. The piñatas is hung by a rope and blindfolded children take turns hitting the piñatas with a stick. When they break the piñatas all the goodies come out. This tradition is over 300 years old..
Philippines - Blinking Lights. The outside of the birthday child's house is adorned with blinking colored lights in the early evening. Earlier in the day the family goes to hear Mass and to thank God.
Russia - Birthday Pies. Instead of a birthday cake, many Russian child receive a birthday pie with a birthday greeting carved into the crust.
peace and love
kainos_ktisis
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