Friday, May 18, 2007

Birthday Traditions From Around The World Pt 2

England - In medieval times, objects such as coins and thimbles were mixed into the batter. People believed that the person who got the coin would be wealthy, while the unlucky finder of the thimble would never marry. Today, small figures, fake coins and small candies are more common. Guests are warned ahead of time as well, so no one injuries their teeth or swallows a tiny treasure. Also, when its your birthday your friends give you the "bumps" they lift you in the air by your hands and feet and raise you up and down to the floor, one for each year then one for luck, two for luck and three for the old man's coconut!

Egypt - Egyptian birthday parties are filled with dancing and singing when a child turns one year old. Flowers and fruit are used to decorate the party as symbols of life and growth.

Germany - Candles left burning for the day. A member of the birthday person’s family wakes up at sunrise and lights the candles on the birthday cake. There are as many candles as the years of age of the birthday person plus one for good luck. The candles are left burning all day long. After dinner that night then everyone sings the birthday song and the birthday person blows out the candles. If all of the candles are blown out in one try then the wish of the birthday person will come true. Presents are then opened and the party starts.

Star Of The Day ! Make them feel special with this sparkling wish.
Star Of The Day !
Make them feel special with this sparkling wish.
[ Flash ]


Birthday Rap! Wrap up a whole lotta fun with this cool ecard.
Birthday Rap!
Wrap up a whole lotta fun with this cool ecard.
[ Flash ]


A Sweet surprise ! Pop up some fun with this interactive ecard.
A Sweet surprise !
Pop up some fun with this interactive ecard.
[ Flash ]


A Do-As- You - Like Day ! Wish your dear ones a happy Birthday with this heartwarming ecard.
A Do-As- You - Like Day !
Wish your dear ones a happy Birthday with this heartwarming ecard.
[ Flash ]


Holland - Crown Years. Special year birthdays such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 21 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 or paper streamers, paper flowers and balloons. At school the birthday child can give their classmates something to eat and the teacher makes the child a birthday hat, often made of paper streamers or paper flowers. Holland hangs Birthday Calendars to remind them of the birth dates of all their family and friends. When a Dutch person is unable to visit a birthday child on their special day, a card is always sent to wish the child well. Adults often bring a birthday cake to work to share with co-workers on their special day.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong and some other Chinese communities, special noodles are served for lunch in honor of the birthday child. The noodles are extra-long to symbolize a long life.

India - Colored dress and chocolates. At school the birthday child wears a colored dress and passes out chocolates to the entire class, with the help of a trusted friend.

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 l

An All Smiles Day ! A warm birthday wish for your friend/ dear ones.
An All Smiles Day !
A warm birthday wish for your friend/ dear ones.
[ Animated ]


A Birthday Tale ! A cute Birthday wish for your pals/ dear ones.
A Birthday Tale !
A cute Birthday wish for your pals/ dear ones.
[ Flash ]







Italy - Pulling ears. The child's ears are pulled as many times as how old they are turning.

Irish - Irish children are given "Birthday Bumps" in honor of their birthday. While held upside down, the birthday celebrant is gently bumped on the floor one time for every year of their age - plus one extra for good luck!

Japan - Japanese children turn 3, 5, or 7, it is thought to be especially lucky. They are allowed to participate in the upcoming Shichi-go-san Festival (meaning the "Seven-Five-Three" Festival), celebrated annually on November 15. During this festival, children and their families visit a shrine or other place of worship, give thanks for good health, and ask to be blessed with continued well-being in the future. Afterwards, a family will often a throw a party and bestow gifts upon the child. For this occasion, girls and boys always dress in their finest clothes, which may be traditional kimonos or western-style clothing. The birthday child wears entirely new clothes to mark the occasion.


Birthday Bouquet ! Wish your loved ones health happiness and love on their special day.
Birthday Bouquet !
Wish your loved ones health happiness and love on their special day.
[ Animated ]


Love And kisses ! Pop up this Birthday wish for your buddies/ near and dear ones/ someone special.
Love And kisses !
Pop up this Birthday wish for your buddies/ near and dear ones/ someone special.
[ Interactive ]











1 comment:

Unknown said...

Nice information about the birthday traditions of different countries. One common thing you can do on anyones birthday is to send a birthday card.