Chinese One-Year-Old Catch: 抓周 zhuā zhōu

On babies' one-year-old birthday, a ceremony of grabbing test (抓周zhuā zhōu) is held to forecasts disposition and occupation in the future.  People put various articles around the baby, including a book, pen, scissors, ruler, bread, apple, official seal, needlework and rubber ball among others. Then the baby is supposed to select something from among them.

In case the baby grabs a book or a pen, it is forecasted to enjoy reading after growing up. If a ruler or a pair of scissors is grabbed, the baby will be forecasted to become a tailor; if food, a stodge; if money, wealthy and if toys, fond of playing or fooling around. In a word, the article the baby grabs signifies the child’s future.

 Articles used in the ceremony

After finishing grabbing test, the host will give a banquet to friends and relatives coming to present with gifts and blessing. Dishes prepared for the banquet include longevity noodles and other food implying longevity. Among all the gifts that may include charms, red-dyed eggs, toys and clothing decorated with the guardian tiger, the ubiquitous red envelopes of cash could always make appropriate grift. 

Watch this video to know more:

The above contents are provided by Guangzhou Shine Mandarin.

Supervisor: Crystal Huang

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