When you think about birthdays, you likely don’t consider their history. Since ancient times, the celebration of birthdays has changed significantly. What once was a celebration only reserved for the gods and goddesses has now become an individual celebration honoring the day you were born.
Best of all, every culture has its own traditions. All around the world, there are various ways that people celebrate their special day while spending time with their loved ones. From ear tugging to fairy bread to personal pies, you can commemorate your special day in dozens of ways. If you’d like to learn more about these traditions, keep reading!
In this blog, we’re going to explore the origins of birthdays, taking a look at the history of birthdays and how they have changed since ancient times. We’ll also explore how different cultures celebrate birthdays now and how that might differ from how you and your family celebrate your special day. Let’s explore the origin of the birthday, first.
The History of the Birthday
When you think about birthdays, you think about cakes and presents, but that was not always the way of the world. The birthday dates back to 3,000 B.C.E., but the celebration was vastly different. Pharaohs, or ancient Egyptian kings, had their birthdays celebrated by their kingdom. Many historians speculate that these “birthdays” were about when they came into power and were born again as gods.
However, other cultures of the ancient world also had similar traditions. The ancient Greeks made cakes in the shape of the moon to celebrate their moon goddess, Artemis. Many ancient cultures seemingly saw birthdays as necessary for the deities. However, this all changed when the ancient Romans began to celebrate non-religious figures, such as their friends and family. Interestingly enough, female birthdays were not still observed until around the 12th century!
Even the Christians only began celebrating birthdays in the 4th century when they chose to celebrate Jesus’s birthday. Now, people all over the world are celebrating birthdays in unique ways. You might be wondering, given how different ancient birthdays were, how the modern birthday tradition came to be. Surprisingly, the birth of the modern birthday was seen first in the late 18th century in Germany.
What Inspired Modern Birthday Celebrations?
To go from honoring gods and goddesses to celebrating individual birthdays took many centuries—millennia even! However, Germany was the first to introduce Kinderfeste, where cakes were made for children and candles were blown out. Each candle was a year they had lived, plus one more to show their growing age. Making a wish was also customary, just like people do today when they celebrate their birthdays.
Birthdays in the 19th century were mainly celebrated by those who could afford the finer—and sweeter—things in life, but bakeries began to catch onto the trend. Many people started celebrating their birthdays by the end of the 19th century after bakeries began offering pre-made cakes. By 1924, the modern “Happy Birthday to You” song was created from an old-school song, “Good Morning To All”. Combining the pre-made cakes, German traditions, and the infamous music, the modern birthday was born!
How People Celebrate Birthdays Globally Today
Birthdays worldwide are so diverse, as many cultures have their own traditions. In the United States, most people still follow the traditions of Kinderfeste and buy a cake and some candles, give presents, and sing a song for the special day. Let’s explore how other cultures celebrate birthdays and what unique traditions they use to mark the passing of another year of life.
Latin American Quinceañeras and Piñatas
One of the most popular and known birthday traditions for 15-year-old girls from Latin American nations is the quinceañera. This celebration is to honor the entrance of the birthday girl into womanhood. It’s both religious and social and involves a grand party, beautiful dresses, and a celebration that truly is only once in a lifetime!
For other ages and the boys in Latin American culture, their birthday parties are still full of excitement and games. The piñata tradition is a staple, usually in the form of their favorite characters or a donkey—even celebrities or politicians! Kids gather around and hit the piñata until it bursts and candy falls onto the ground. Not only is it a fun activity, but it is also a sweet treat to have before the cake is brought out.
Chinese Longevity Noodles
In Chinese culture, their birthdays are more on the savory side. One of the most unique traditions—besides singing, cakes, and sweet treats—is longevity noodles. These noodles, called chang shou mian, are made long and meant to symbolize their long lives. The longer the noodles, the luckier their birthday and the longer their lives will be!
In China, there are rules about what gifts to give and which ones to avoid. In any Chinese culture, it is best to avoid giving clocks, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, or anything in a set of four. Shoes are also not a good gift to buy. To anyone part of these cultures, these are considered bad omens and should be avoided.
New Clothes and Gratitude in India
Also, in Asia, India has unique birthday traditions that honor their family. When it is someone’s birthday in India, children are given new clothes for their special day. They will also touch their parents’ feet to show respect and gratitude for their lives. It is a kind gesture that honors their lives and all of the people who made it possible for them to celebrate another year of life.
When you give gifts in Indian culture for birthdays, be sure to wrap them in any other color but white and black. These are considered bad luck, so the brighter and more vivid the colors, the better your present will be received!
Fairy Bread in the Land Down Under
Australians have a fun, delicious way to celebrate another year of life! Unlike the big, traditional birthday cake that many people buy in the States, Australians will make something called fairy bread. This is sliced white bread with butter and hundreds of colorful sprinkles. While simple, it is a tasty treat that is a must at birthday parties—even in New Zealand! Adults and children alike enjoy this treat, and it’s also incredibly simple to make.
Your Very Own Birthday Pie in Russia
In Russia, getting a personalized pie for the birthday person is one of their traditions. This handmade pie can be made with any of your favorite ingredients, but often with a personalized message over top of the pie. You can enjoy your favorite with your name etched across the top, whether you like apple, pecan, or blueberry pie. And remember to share it with your friends and family, too!
Antiqued in Brazil and Jamaica
In other parts of the world, like Brazil and Jamaica, there are other unique traditions that birthday boys and girls enjoy. Fascinatingly, Brazilians and Jamaicans will get eggs and flour thrown at them to celebrate another year around the sun. This tradition is called getting “antiqued.” It is a fun tradition that can get a little messy. And don’t worry—the eggs and flour thrown are not used to make their delicious cakes for the party that comes afterward!
Greased for Good Luck
In Canada, one of the most treasured traditions for birthdays is “getting greased.” This unique tradition adds more luck to the special celebration along with the usual cakes, singing, and presents. “Greased” involves family and friends putting butter on the birthday person’s nose as a token of good fortune for them. While it seems odd, it is a loved tradition that continues to be done to this day.
Birthday Punches and Tugs
In the United States, you’ve maybe seen people roll out birthday pinches or punches, but there’s also a related tradition in Italy, Argentina, and Hungary. In these countries, among others, friends will tug on their loved one’s ears once for each year they have been alive. Imagine what it would be like to get nearly one hundred tugs on your ears, or even one hundred punches! These traditions may seem crazy but are fun ways to commemorate your age.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you live in the world, you have to agree that birthdays are unique and come with all sorts of different traditions! From Asia to the Land Down Under to North America and Europe, there are plenty of ways to commemorate your special day. We explored the history of birthdays and how they have changed over time. From celebrating gods to one and all, it is clear that birthdays hold a special place in our traditions as a society.
In what ways do you celebrate your birthday? We’d love to hear from you in the comments to see what traditions you and your family engage in to celebrate you and your loved one’s special day!
