The tradition of celebrating a birthday exists in all countries of the world. In every corner of the globe, the hero of the occasion receives warm congratulations, sincere wishes and, of course, long-awaited birthday gifts. But things are different in different countries...
So, many different customs are observed on a birthday in the UK. Among them, one cheerful tradition regarding this holiday can be distinguished: in the birthday cake, the birthday boy has the opportunity to find a small surprise, for example, a coin, and this means that he will be rich. If a resident of England lives to be 80, 90 and 100 years old, he will receive a postcard with congratulations from the queen herself!
As for children's birthdays, the Germans were the first to celebrate them. They had a tradition according to which the young birthday boy was woken up at dawn and the first gift was prepared for him - a cake on which as many candles were lit as the hero of the occasion was old. If the child, after making a wish, blows out all the candles the first time, his wish will come true. This custom has spread widely among us.
Another rite associated with a birthday - pulling the birthday man by the ears as many times as he is old, is common in Brazil and Italy. This custom is carried out in many countries (including Russia), but mostly only applies to children. In England, instead of pulling on the ears, they throw it up and drop it on the floor, and in Spain they click on the forehead.
In Argentina and Ecuador, birthday girls wear pink dresses for their fifteenth birthdays and sometimes even put on high-heeled shoes for the first time. Mandatory on this day is a waltz with the father and younger fans.
It is very rare to celebrate birthdays in Africa. The inhabitants of the Galla tribe celebrate their birth after 8 years. They do not use a calendar and such a thing as a “year”, and their seasons practically do not change. The Kukuyu people (inhabitants of the Kukuyu tribe) have a birthday every 13 years. It is on this day that the birthday boy plants a fig tree. In northern Africa, a birthday is celebrated twice in a lifetime: at birth and at the age of 52. This corresponds to the age of the prophet Mohammed.
The Japanese were even less fortunate. In Japan, birthdays are not celebrated at all, but on November 15, children celebrate the so-called "Siti-go-san" - a holiday of three, five and seven years. If this holiday coincides with the child's birthday itself, it is even postponed to another day.
The tradition of presenting birthday gifts in each country is special. So, in China, for example, all family members are given money, and the festive table must be decorated with noodles (pilaf) - a symbol of longevity.
Indians love sweets. Indians give chocolates to their children, and the child brings most of them to school - for teachers and classmates.
In the US, one of the most popular dates is the 16th birthday. On this day, each child receives a driver's license, and a car as a gift.
And whatever you give to the birthday man on his birthday, do not forget about one important Russian tradition - to give flowers from the bottom of your heart. And believe me, everyone will be pleased to receive such an addition to the present! Take care of your loved ones and friends on a special day for each of them - a birthday!
The article was prepared for the BiWuman.Ru website.
