Describe how birthdays are celebrated in a particular culture of your world.— Ritual
Scythian Birthday Tattoos
Among the Amazon tribes of Scythia are a number of rituals shared in common, including the practice of ritual tattooing that scribes each woman's life story into her skin. Some of these tattoos are badges earned by battle, leadership ranks, or achievements, with the most accomplished Amazons covering nearly every available patch of skin.
But even the least accomplished Amazon get an annual tattoo on the anniversary of their birth to commemorate another cycle of experience and wisdom gained.
Preparation for the Ritual
In the month before her birthday, the Amazon will consult with the elders of her tribe on the areas of her personal growth over the past 12 or 13 months. Many tribes maintain a Council of Elders Subcouncil of Tattoo Standardization for just this purpose.
Sometimes, the elders will readily arrive at an appropriate design. At other times, when an Amazon has truly not distinguished herself over the previous year, the celebrant will be sent on a quest of accomplishment specifically so that a desired design can be earned. In cases where an Amazon has too many annual accomplishments for the elders to choose from, friends and family will be consulted to narrow down the best ones or to combine them into a common theme.
Day of Birth Ritual
The birthday Amazon and her closest allies begin the evening with an exchange of gifts, the consumption of a communal meal, and the sharing of a traditional grog of fermented mare's milk mixed with honey.
The celebrant is then led to the hut of the Tattooist General, where the pre-approved design is applied.
Given an adequate supply of traditional grog, the celebrant will awaken on the morning after her birth date to see the new design for the first time. Reactions can range from joy to resignation to regret. If an Amazon needs to be consoled over the magnitude of her annual accomplishments, or lack thereof, additional courses of traditional grog can be applied until a blissful oblivion is achieved.
Common Designs
Different tribes more heavily favor different symbols, but the meanings are generally similar. Some popular images include:
A Horse
Representing an Amazon who has broken in a new horse
A Herd of Horses
Representing an Amazon who has done a lot of riding in the previous year.
A Blast of Wind from a Cloud
Representing an Amazon who achieved a personal speed record at horse riding
A Laurel Branch
Representing an Amazon whose horse won a major race
A Horse with Wings
Representing an Amazon whose horse won a jumping contest
A Crashing Wave
Representing an Amazon whose horse has carried her into battle
The Face of a Monster
Representing an Amazon who overcame adversity, such as the loss of a beloved horse
A Dead Man with a Battleaxe in his Torso
Representing an Amazon's love for her horse
A Skull
Representing the Amazon's dread at the prospect of dying, and being permanently separated from her beloved horse
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