Chinese Birthdays Explained

In the vast tapestry of global cultures, birthdays hold a special place. Chinese birthdays, as in many other cultures, are steeped in history and superstition, with unique customs and beliefs that distinguish them from Western birthday celebrations. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the fascinating world of Chinese birthdays, from the concept of "Chinese age" to birthday superstitions and everything in between.

Table of Contents
What Is a Chinese Birthday
Do the Chinese Celebrate Both Their Chinese and Western Birthdays?
How Are Chinese Birthdays Celebrated?
Chinese Zodiac and Birthdays
Chinese Birthday Superstitions
Common Questions about Chinese Birthdays(and Their Answers)

How Do I Calculate My Chinese Age?
What Are Auspicious and Inauspicious Birthdays in Chinese Culture?
Which Birthdays Are Important in Chinese Culture?
What Are Some Good Chinese Birthday Gifts?
Chinese Birthday Vocabulary
Conclusion

What Is a Chinese Birthday?

In Chinese culture, a birthday or "生日 shēngrì" is a significant event in one's life. It marks the completion of another year of life and is an occasion for family gatherings and celebrations.

In China, age is traditionally calculated using the lunar calendar, which makes it different from the Gregorian calendar used in the West. A child is considered to be one year old at birth, and everyone's age increases by one year on the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar year, the lunar calendar is based on the moon's cycles. As a result, Chinese New Year varies from year to year, and so do Chinese birthdays. This means that a person's birthday in the lunar calendar may fall on a different date each year in the Gregorian calendar.

Do the Chinese Celebrate Both Their Chinese and Western Birthdays?

In Chinese culture, it is common to celebrate both Chinese and Western birthdays. A "double birthday" is a significant event in Chinese culture, and it occurs when a person's Chinese birthday and Western birthday fall on the same day. Double birthdays are considered to be very lucky, and they are often celebrated with a big party.

How Are Chinese Birthdays Celebrated?

Chinese birthday celebrations are rich in customs and traditions that have evolved over centuries.

• Red eggs: One of the most iconic Chinese birthday traditions is the "red egg" or "红鸡蛋 hóng jīdàn" ceremony. On a baby's first month birthday, known as "满月 mǎnyuè" in Chinese, red eggs are given to friends and family to symbolize happiness, fertility, and new life.

• Chinese birthday foods: Chinese birthdays are often celebrated with a big feast, and the birthday celebrant would wear new clothes. Certain foods are an essential part of these traditional celebrations, with items such as "longevity noodles", or "长寿面 chángshòu miàn" in Chinese, representing a wish for a long and prosperous life. Other common Chinese birthday foods considered to be lucky include dishes featuring fish, which symbolizes abundance, and various types of dumplings, representing wealth.

• The color red: Chinese birthday traditions also often feature the color red in decorations and clothing as it is considered to be lucky. Additionally, symbols like the Chinese character "福 fú", meaning "good fortune," are commonly displayed during these festivities. As for Chinese birthday gifts, friends and families typically offer red envelopes, known as "红包 hóngbāo" in Chinese, to the birthday person. These envelopes often contain money as a symbol of good luck and blessings.

Nowadays, Chinese birthday celebrations have adopted more contemporary elements such as birthday cakes alongside their traditional roots.

Chinese Zodiac and Birthdays

The Chinese zodiac, or "生肖 shēngxiào", plays a significant role in Chinese birthday celebrations.

The zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with a specific animal sign. The twelve animal signs include the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each sign is associated with unique characteristics and traits.

People often incorporate their zodiac animal into their birthday celebrations. For example, they may wear clothing or accessories with their zodiac animal, or they may decorate their home with zodiac-themed decorations. They may also serve foods that are believed to bring luck to individuals born in a specific year of the zodiac.

Chinese Birthday Superstitions

Chinese culture is rich in superstitions, and birthdays are no exception.

Here are some common superstitions related to Chinese birthdays:
• Death and Birth: It is considered bad luck to celebrate a birthday at a funeral or during the mourning period for a deceased family member.
• Knife and Scissors: Giving sharp objects like knives and scissors as gifts is believed to symbolize cutting ties or relationships, and it is generally avoided. You can learn more about Chinese gift-giving etiquette in this article.
• Sweeping and Cleaning: It is believed that sweeping and cleaning the house on one's birthday can symbolize sweeping away good luck, so it's avoided on this special day.

Common Questions about Chinese Birthdays(and Their Answers)

How Do I Calculate My Chinese Age?

To calculate your Chinese age, find the Chinese lunar years corresponding to the current Gregorian year and your birth year, then follow the next formula:

Lunar Age = current year in Chinese lunar calendar – your birth year in Chinese lunar calendar + 1.

So, if you were born in 1995 on the Gregorian calendar, the corresponding year on the lunar calendar would be 4693. And 2023 on the Gregorian calendar would be equivalent to the year 4721 on the lunar calendar. Hence your Chinese age would be: (4721-4693)+1= 29. As you can see, your Chinese age can also be easily calculated by adding 1 to your current age.

You may refer to the following chart to find out the current year and your birth year on the Chinese calendar.

For accurate calculations, you can use online Chinese age calculators to convert your Gregorian age to your Chinese age based on your birthdate.

What Are Auspicious and Inauspicious Birthdays in Chinese Culture?

In Chinese culture, some birthdays are considered lucky, while others are deemed unlucky:
• Auspicious Birthdays: Birthdays that end in numbers considered lucky, such as 8 （it sounds like the Chinese word for wealth） and 9, are considered fortunate. For example, the 18th, 28th, 29th, and so on are often celebrated with extra enthusiasm.
• Inauspicious Birthdays: Birthdays that end in numbers associated with bad luck, like 4 （which has a similar pronunciation to the word for death）, are generally avoided. The 14th, 24th, and 34th birthdays, for instance, are believed to bring misfortune.

Which Birthdays Are Important in Chinese Culture?

• Baby's First Birthday (满月 - mǎnyuè): The first month birthday, often celebrated with a red egg ceremony, marks a child's first milestone.
• 60th Birthday: The 60th birthday is considered a major milestone and is often celebrated with a grand party.
• 70th Birthday: This birthday holds a special place as it represents long life and good fortune. It is a time for family gatherings and celebrations.

What Are Some Good Chinese Birthday Gifts?

In Chinese culture, thoughtful and meaningful gifts are highly appreciated.

Common Chinese birthday gifts include:
• Red Packets (红包 - hóngbāo): Containing money for blessings and good luck.
• Fruits: Especially those with lucky associations, like oranges and tangerines.
• Longevity Gifts: Such as calligraphy with auspicious characters.
• Jewelry: Gold and jade jewelry symbolizing wealth and protection.

Chinese Birthday Vocabulary

Conclusion

About the Author

Sara Tao is a Chinese language and culture enthusiast who enjoys sharing her learning journey via Instagram (@saratao_chinese).