A baby’s full month, also known as a full moon baby, is something worth celebrating. This tradition is rooted deep in Chinese culture, marking a significant milestone in your baby’s life. This celebration is usually accompanied by gatherings, gifts and cakes!
Here’s everything you need to know about celebrating a full moon baby along with traditional practises you can follow:
What Is a Full Moon Baby?
(Image Source: elements.envato.com)
Child and infant mortality rates were high throughout history. Getting through the first month meant a lot hence the significance of a full moon celebration. In Chinese culture, it symbolises that the baby is strong enough to be introduced to the wider community.
The celebration is held when a baby turns one month old, taking place in homes or restaurants. It’s a joyous occasion where family and friends can gather to meet the newest member of your household.
It also serves to express gratitude for the baby’s health and to pray for continued blessings.
10 Traditional Practises for a Full Moon Baby
- Shaving Your Baby’s Head:
There’s no better time to go bald. There are also cultural implications to shaving your baby’s head during a full moon. It is believed to rid the child of bad luck and impurities from birth.
The hair is often kept as a keepsake or buried for good fortune. This practice is thought to symbolise a fresh start for the baby’s life.
- Offering Red Eggs and Pickled Ginger:
Red eggs are staple at full moon baby celebrations. They symbolise happiness and unity while also representing good luck and prosperity.
Pickled ginger is served alongside to signify a balance between yin and yang (feminine and masculine forces). These offerings are shared with guests to celebrate the baby’s milestone.
- Lunar Astrology Chart Reading: Many parents choose to have a lunar astrology chart read for their baby during the celebration. The position of the moon and stars at the time of the baby’s birth is believed to influence their personality and future.
Parents consult astrologers to understand the traits of a full moon baby. This will help them prepare for their child’s growth and milestones.
- Burning Incense:
Burning incense is a common tradition during the full moon celebration. It’s a way to show respect and seek blessings from ancestors.It also symbolises the connection between the baby and their lineage, offering spiritual protection for the newborn.
- Gifting Lunar Themed Items:
Family and friends usually gift items associated with the moon. This includes clothing, blankets, hampers and even jewellery. These gifts may feature moon designs to honour the baby’s connection with the lunar cycle.
Some also give items like full moon baby name ideas or astrology-themed gifts that reflect the lunar influence on the child’s birth.
- Distributing Special Cakes:
It can’t be a celebration without cakes. Full moon celebrations often feature special shaped cakes as symbolic treats. Some are shaped like moons while others are just your normal looking cakes.
These cakes usually represent sweetness, completeness and the unity of life.
- Preparing a Red Dye Rice Ceremony:
The use of red is a recurring theme in these celebrations and that comes down to its synonymy to Chinese culture. A red dye rice ceremony often symbolises luck, joy and prosperity.
It also invokes good fortune and is served to guests as a gesture of sharing the blessings of your baby.
- Blessing With Lunar Water:
In some cultures, the baby is blessed with lunar water, which is collected during the full moon phase. This water is believed to carry the energy of the moon and is used to cleanse and protect the baby.
It’s said to bring peace and prosperity to the child as they grow.
- Prayers and Wishes:
Family and friends are invited to offer prayers and wishes for the newborn. This includes rituals where guests pray for the baby’s success and long life. This aligns with the belief that moon phases and fertility are linked.
- Feast and Celebrations:
A full moon baby celebration is never complete without a hearty feast. Traditional dishes are served to mark the joyous occasion, symbolising abundance and prosperity.
The feast often includes foods like longevity noodles, which represent long life, and chicken, symbolising new beginnings.
10 Traditional Practises for a Full Moon Baby
Cakes are the epitome of celebrations and what better way to celebrate than with cakes by the Pine Garden! These cakes are tailored to your full moon baby celebration. We have cake sets that come complete with red eggs and assorted pastries of different kinds.
This includes classical favourites such as lychee martini, orange apricot blossom, citrus drop and many more. We also have cupcake sets, buttercream cake sets and marble cake sets to complete your feasting arrangements.
Just remember to order 7 days in advance to ensure the freshness of your goods! Get in touch to find out more.
