A child’s first birthday is one of the most important days to celebrate. It signifies his or her physical growth, from a baby to a toddler — blossoming to the next stage in life.
High hopes for the future
According to Chinese traditions, a ‘birthday grab’ ceremony is usually done to commemorate the child’s coming of age. Originating from China, the ceremony is also called ‘zhua zhou’, a mix of Chinese words for ‘pick’ and ‘first anniversary’.
Centuries ago, the old China view the first birthday as the most important milestone of a person’s life. This was because back then, with the lack of knowledge in medicine, hygiene and difficulty to access food, the mortality rate for an infant was high. Therefore when an infant manages to reach the first birthday, it means that the child will be able to live longer.
As time passes and modernity took over, medicinal practice, knowledge and access to food have improved. Therefore, infant deaths became less frequent. Nonetheless, the tradition still goes on as the first birthday is considered to be the most significant one.
‘Zhua zhou’ ceremony
A birthday grab ceremony requires a set of items to be placed for the child to pick whichever caught their eyes. Whatever the child chooses can be an indication of their future. Some of the items can also describe their personality.
The set usually comprises symbolic items such as a stethoscope for a medical career, a calculator for a science career, a ball for athletic, stationeries that symbolises a writing career and so on.
Food can also be seen as part of the set. While chicken leg means a career in the food industry, celery symbolises the child will have an industrious personality. Meanwhile, an orange means fortune and green onions represent intelligence.
My own zhua zhou
The ceremony is strictly reserved for first birthdays only — when a child is considered innocent and pure — where their judgement to choose the items will not be clouded.
Recently, my second daughter had reached the age of one, and being half Chinese, I decided to do a birthday grab ceremony for her. Usually, the ceremony will be attended by close relatives of the child to encourage and motivate them, however, since it was the time of the movement control order (MCO) for us, her decision to choose was purely hers.
The night before, I gathered a total of 12 items for her birthday grab. My resources were limited so I did not manage to lay a stethoscope out, so the dream of knowing whether she has an altruistic personality or the wants to be a doctor was not planted.
Nevertheless, I had managed to gather the items — a measuring tape, books, blocks, a stamp, a toy mallet representing a gavel, a sword, a calculator, a phone, a paintbrush, some pens, gold, and a camera.
After laying the items down, I put my daughter at the opposite end and let her loose. Being a gung ho baby, she quickly crawls towards the items.
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I actually set for her to pick three times, to see a wider spectrum of her personalities and prospects. It was quite exciting to note what she likes at this age, however, the grab ended as fast as it happened.
In the end, she chose the pens, gold and the ‘gavel’. My friend joked that my daughter’s decision about her future can see her being a finance lawyer with a passion for writing.
The ‘zhua zhou’ that I prepared for my daughter was merely for fun and performed out of curiosity, to see the things she like at this age.
Regardless of her choice, I am sure that her future wants and likings could be a bit different as experiences may change a person as they move on with life.
All in all, a ‘zhua zhou’ ceremony is a chance for parents to express their good wishes and high hopes on the future of their children.
Therefore, even though some parents may not be superstitious, they will still carry out the custom to express their wish for the next generation.
