The First Picking

The most important year for us is the first year of life. In the past, children didn't live very long so those who made their first year are celebrated for it.

— The First Picking Ceremony

This article discusses children's birthdays as celebrated by Tangguo Chinese citizens.

History

The First Picking was a ritual created in 6th century AD, and codified during the Song Dynasty. The ceremony's name is a literal translation of the phrase zuazhou, Mandarin for "first birthday's pick."

Execution

The First Picking is done by putting a tray of items in front of the baby and letting them choose.
The first thing the baby picks up and plays with for some time is supposed to predict their future interests.

Components and tools

Several symbolic items representing virtues or talents are placed on a table or tray. They can vary even for the same talent. Most families only choose one of the following.
In olden times, families with baby girls would mainly offer items related to the arts or fashion. Today, children of both genders are given a random assortment of talent items to choose from.
Arts and Crafts

• Paintbrush (painting)
• Marker pens (drawing or caligraphy)
• Plasticine (pottery or sculpture)
• Soup ladle (cooking)

Fashion

• Makeup, such as blusher or lipstick (style consultation)
• Scissors (tailoring)
• Doll, usually one with changeable clothes (tailoring)

Music

• Music sheets
• Xylophone
• Drum
• Miniature guitar
• Music box

Literacy

• Pencil and paper
• Encyclopedia
• Magic tome

Business / Engineering

• Abacus
• Carpenter's ruler

Nature

• Flower
• Stuffed animal, e.g. teddy bear
• Noah's Ark toy

Politics

• Rubber stamp
• Toy ballot box

Participants

The parents or guardians will host this ceremony when the baby turns one year old.

Observance

The first birthday is marked by cooking noodles and egg for the party lunch. After that, the picking ritual is conducted by letting the baby choose their preferred talent symbol.
In the past, the first pick would determine the child's future education permanently. While it is still considered important in modern times, it is no longer such an immutable choice.

Related Ethnicities

• Southsea Chinese