Introduction
Since ancient times, the Chinese have placed great importance on the "full month" celebration, a joyful event that marks a baby's first month of life. Traditionally, families host a banquet and invite friends and relatives to celebrate, with guests bringing red envelopes or gifts as blessings for the newborn.
Over the years, mothers have personalised and diversified these customs, blending the traditional with the modern. As a result, some of the older traditions have gradually faded into obscurity. One such tradition, however, that continues to be an integral part of the celebration is the shaving of the baby's hair.
The History of the Full Month Celebration
Historically, infant mortality rates were high due to poor medical conditions, and many babies did not survive beyond their first month. Reaching the "full month" was a significant milestone, signifying that the baby was healthy and strong. Parents would host a full-month banquet to celebrate, hoping for the child's continued growth and well-being.
This custom gained popularity during the Tang Dynasty and became a grand event for the Song Dynasty, particularly among wealthy families. Invitations were sent to friends and relatives, who would come bearing gifts and offering blessings for the child.
In those times, there was a strong preference for boys over girls. If a boy was born, the family would host a lavish banquet; the celebration might be modest or even cancelled if a girl was born. The full-month celebration for a boy typically occurred on the 30th day after birth, while a girl's celebration was on the 29th. In some areas, the event was held on the 24th day to symbolize the "24 filial pieties," expressing the hope that the child would respect their parents.
As the custom evolved, societal views on gender equality have also shifted. Today, families celebrate the full-month mark for both boys and girls equally, typically around the 30th day, with no distinction based on gender.
Customs of the Full Month Celebration
Several traditional customs are associated with a baby's full-month celebration, one of the most significant being the ritual of cutting the baby's hair, known locally as "铰头." This custom varies from region to region, but generally, it involves shaving most of the baby's fetal hair while leaving a small tuft on the top or front of the head. This is believed to protect the child from evil spirits and misfortune.
Shaved hair is treated with great care. It is wrapped in red cloth and hung high, symbolising courage, or sewn into a pillow or vest to ensure smooth growth. In some areas, it is tied to a window, symbolising the child's resilience against life's hardships.
In Singapore, the hair can be made into a Chinese calligraphy paintbrush (胎毛笔), a meaningful keepsake that may later serve as a Feng Shui ornament, believed to bring good fortune to the child’s academic pursuits.
The person chosen to cut the baby's hair is formally invited into the home, where they are served tea and given a red envelope as a token of appreciation. After the haircut, this special guest is usually invited to join the full-month banquet.
Additional rituals follow the haircut. The baby is dressed in new clothes, and a boiled egg is rolled over the baby's head six times, symbolising the auspicious number "six" in Chinese culture. This is followed by a short walk outside, signifying that the child will grow up to be brave, unafraid of strangers, and strong.
Another important tradition is "going out of the nest." After the full-month celebration, the mother takes the baby to her parents' home, where the maternal grandmother warmly welcomes the child with gifts. The family prepares a bowl and spoon, symbolizing the hope that the child will always have enough to eat and drink. Upon arrival, red dots are painted on the baby's forehead, nose, and cheeks for decoration and to ward off evil spirits.
While "going out of the nest" may seem superstitious, it also serves a practical purpose. After a month of confinement following childbirth, visiting the maternal home can help alleviate postpartum depression for the mother and offer the baby exposure to a different environment.
Conclusion
The full-month celebration is a cherished tradition in Chinese culture, marking an important milestone in a baby's life. This joyous occasion brings together family and friends to offer blessings and well-wishes, with gifts symbolising to decorate and hope, love, and good fortune for the child's future. Filled with happiness, laughter, and the sharing of good food, the full-month celebration is a meaningful way to welcome a new addition to the family. The enduring customs, especially the ritual of shaving the baby's hair, reflect deep cultural values and the desire for the child’s healthy and prosperous growth.
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