Four Unexpected Ways Different Countries Celebrate Birthdays
China
The Chinese typically only celebrate certain birthdays: the first, 10th, 20th, 30th, etc. The 60th birthday is important to the Chinese because it is seen as completing a full zodiac. Eating Chang Shou Mian on your birthday symbolizes long life you'll hopefully have. Your loved ones can also wish for a long life.
Mexico
A Mexican party is called a fiesta and includes traditional food items, such as tacos, as well as a candy-filled piñata that is hit with a stick until it bursts open and candy spills everywhere for the party guests to enjoy. A very important tradition in Mexican culture is the Quinceanera, which is traditionally celebrated on a young woman's fifteenth birthday. The celebration is meant to mark the young girl's movement into womanhood. The Mexican birthday song is called Las Mañanitas.
Ireland
One unusual Irish tradition is "bumping" the birthday child. An adult turns the child upside down and very gently bumps his head on the floor. The number of bumps equals the age of the child. For those who come of age, usually 21 in Ireland, the key to the house is given. This means that the person is an adult and can come and go as he pleases.
South Korea
Mi-yeok-guk, a hearty seaweed soup, is usually served as part of breakfast for the beloved birthday boys and girls in Korea. Mothers will also typically eat this soup after childbirth to make up for nutrients during pregnancy, so you'd better pay respect to your mother whenever she cooks this on your birthday because it's delicious, healthy, and nutritious.
Although different cultures have many birthday traditions around the world, individual families celebrate their birthdays with specific traditions and special memories unique to that family.
