On Birthdays

 

Your birthday is the day you enter planet Earth, which calls for a celebration on that day and every year after until you pass away. Even after that, you may be remembered on your birthday.

As children, most of us love birthdays. Our birthdays are usually marked by new clothes, a slew of greetings, a big fat cake, a party, and many presents. My mom usually baked a big fat birthday cake for me and tailored a new dress. I began my day by visiting church wearing my new dress and then carrying a bag of candy to school to distribute among classmates and teachers. The class joyfully sang the “Happy Birthday” song, and I enjoyed every moment of the celebration. My favourites were cooked lovingly by Mom, or we went out to eat. Over the years, I did have the occasional party, which was always great fun.

With advancing age, quieter celebrations with family and close friends or perhaps a trip may become the norm. Then, there are milestone birthdays that mark significant turning points in your life. Regardless of whether it is a milestone or not, a birthday is always a cause for celebration—quiet or otherwise.

About the Birthday cake, candles and birthday song

·       The origin of the birthday cake can be linked to the Eygptians. When the Pharaoh was crowned king, the coronation called for a huge celebration because, with coronation, the Pharaoh was given a deity status.

·       The Greeks honoured the moon goddess, Artemis, with round cakes and lit candles. The lit candles represented the glowing moon, and the smoke from the candles was believed to carry the people's prayers and wishes to the gods. It was in the 1600s that cakes became layered, frosted, and decorated.

·       Kinderfeste refers to the 18th-century German tradition of celebrating children’s birthdays with cake and candles. The candles that equaled the child’s age were believed to ward off evil spirits and symbolise the ‘light of life.' An extra candle was lit, which represented the coming year.

·       In 1746, a German named Count Ludwig Von Zinzendorf hosted a lavish birthday party, which included a large cake with candles stuck into it. The number of candles equaled his age. The concept of birthday cakes and candles began to spread from there throughout Germany and then to Europe.

 

·       In the 1850’s the tradition of birthday celebrations crossed the Atlantic and reached the USA. The tradition gradually evolved into what we know today birthday cake, candles, making a wish, and the birthday song.

·       Thanks to the industrial revolution of the 1700s, eggs, flour, butter, and other ingredients were more affordable for the common man, and cakes were now sweeter and fluffier.

 

The Happy Birthday Song

 

The Happy Birthday song as we know it today is based on a melody, “Good Morning to You All,” composed by two sisters, Patty and Mildred Hill, for their kindergarten class.  Robert Coleman updated the lyrics to the present-day song in 1924. The song was copyrighted in 1935, and the copyright was given to the two sisters. The copyright is valid till 2030.

 

Birthday Traditions Around the World

·       IN the UK and Ireland, the birthday boy or girl is taken by the hands and legs and bumped up and down, the bumps equaling the age of the person.

 

·       In Italy, Hungary, Argentina, Spain, and some other countries, tradition dictates that the birthday boy or girl’s earlobes be pulled that many times as their age.  The exact origin and meaning of this custom is not entirely clear; some believe that ears don’t stop growing, and pulling them may symbolize long life.

 

·       In Germany, to say Alles Gut Zum Geburtstag or Happy Birthday or to celebrate your birthday in advance is considered bad luck.

 

·       Fairy bread may replace cake or be served as a dessert in Australia and New Zealand.  Fairy bread is simply buttered white bread topped with colourful sprinkles on.

 

·       In Canada, the birthday person’s nose is greased with butter. The greased nose makes the person too slippery to attract bad luck.

 

·       A Chinese birthday boy or girl will eat long noodles, which symbolize longevity. The noodles must be eaten whole, without breaking or biting them off with chopsticks.

 

·       The Russians prefer writing long and thoughtful birthday messages on birthday cards. Russian children receive gifts like books and pencils on their birthday.

 

·       Mexicans celebrate their birthdays with a piñata, which is a festive object or an animal made of papier maché in bright colours. Guests attending the birthday party are blindfolded and attempt to break the piñata, which is filled with toys and edible treats, with a stick or a bat. The birthday boy or girl is expected to bite the creamy cake without using their hands, while everyone shouts Mordida or bite, after which his or her face is pushed into the cake.

 

·       The Vietnamese believe that everyone ages a year during

the Vietnamese New Year, which falls in January or February. Though this tradition has almost died out, some from the older generations still believe in celebrating their birthdays adhering to the old belief.

 

·       In India, children and adults may wear new clothes and, out of respect and gratitude for giving them life, touch the feet of their elders.

 

·       In South Korea, the birthday boy or girl is served a bowl of seaweed soup. Seaweed soup is rich in iron and iodine and is eaten by mothers before and after giving birth. Eating this soup on one’s birthday symbolizes thankfulness to one’s mother.

 

Birthday celebrations and traditions may vary around the world, but the essence of a birthday is in celebrating the gift and joy of life. Be it extravagant parties or quiet family gatherings, a birthday symbolizes love, connection, and the creation of memories. It is a time to reflect on and give thanks for the year gone while looking forward to the coming year with hope. 

 

What kind of birthday celebrations do you prefer?

This post is in response to the weekly BlogchatterBloghop prompt.

Image credit : Pixabay.