Looking for birthday traditions in China? We’ve gathered the complete guide for Chinese birthday traditions – including how they celebrate, gifting etiquette, and traditional food and drink.
Birthdays are filled with unique traditions and festivities. Add to the celebrations with an unforgettable gift experience or a thoughtful gift.
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Unique Birthday Traditions in China
- Counting Ages: In China, a newborn is considered one year old, so a child’s second birthday in the West is their third by Chinese counting.
- Choosing the Right Date: Elders plan the birthday, choosing a lucky day based on the Lunar calendar and the child’s zodiac sign.
- Red: Celebrations often feature the color red, symbolizing luck and happiness.
- Celebrate Only on The Date: It’s considered bad luck to celebrate one’s birthday after the actual birth date.
- Bad Ages: Certain ages are considered unlucky, and people might choose to “skip” these birthdays to avoid bad luck.
Traditional Birthday Food and Drink in China
- Longevity Noodles: In Chinese birthdays, long noodles represent longevity, with length symbolizing longer life wishes. In certain regions, the noodles are paired with braised pig’s feet or pork knuckles (a delicacy).
- Shou Bao (Birthday Buns): These buns are filled with lotus seed paste and shaped like peaches, symbolizing immortality and health.
- Birthday Wine: In some Chinese regions, people drink homemade wine aged to match their age on their birthday.
How to say “Happy Birthday” in Chinese?
Wishing someone a happy birthday in Chinese is easy. You simply say, “Shēngrì kuàilè!” This phrase directly translates to “Birthday happy!” and is the most common way to express birthday wishes in China.
Here are some of the best birthday wishes in Chinese:
- 生日快乐 (happy birthday, shēng rì kuài lè!)
- 愿你的生日像蛋糕一样甜蜜，像蜡烛一样明亮。 生日快乐！(May your birthday be as sweet as cake and as bright as candles. Happy birthday!)
- 你是我遇到过的最好的事情，我每天都感激你。 生日快乐！ (You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I am grateful for you every day. Happy birthday!)
If you need more wishes in Chinese, click this article for the full list to read here.
Birthday Gift Etiquette in China
Do’s in Gifting
- Give gifts that symbolize health, longevity, and prosperity, such as fruits or tea.
- It does not matter whether your gift is expensive and big or not.
- it is important to present your gift with both hands as a sign of respect.
Don’ts in Gifting
- Avoid giving taboo gifts such as clocks, watches, sharp objects, or shoes, as they are associated with bad luck. Clocks or watches sound similar to the word death in Mandarin.
Most Celebrated Birthday Milestones in China
Chinese traditions include celebrating a baby’s first month and the 60th birthday.
First Month Celebration
- Known as “满月 mǎnyuè” in Chinese.
- Red eggs are given to friends and family to symbolize happiness, fertility, and new life.
60th Birthday
- It’s often celebrated with a grand party.
- It marks a complete cycle of the Chinese zodiac and is imbued with layers of cultural significance and wisdom.
Conclusion
Chinese birthday customs blend history, health, and happiness, celebrating life and wishing prosperity. They offer a meaningful connection to Chinese culture and values. Consider incorporating these traditions into your next birthday celebration for a unique touch.
Birthdays are filled with unique traditions and festivities. Add to the celebrations with an unforgettable gift experience or a thoughtful gift.
Sophie is an etiquette coach who has the rare ability to make the intricacies of etiquette approachable and fun. She travels around the world coaching families, individuals, corporates and independent schools. Sophie has honed her craft without losing her easy-going charm.