250198
I am interested in knowing about the custom of throwing a "red egg and ginger party" for babies.
V. Crane mrcamp@snet.net
The party you referred to is known as the 'Full Month' party held on the thirtieth day of the birth of the baby. It is to celebrate the birth of the new baby and welcomes his arrival into the family. (I use 'his' because it is traditionally celebrated only for baby boys. But nowadays, it is very common to have the party for baby girls too.)
If the new born is the first child of the couple, the party usually comes in the form of a grand banquet, where the traditional ten course dinner is served.
It is customary to celebrate birthdays with red eggs. (unshelled hard-boiled egg colored with red pigment) They symbolized birth. For the 'Full Month' party, the red eggs are especially important. Each guest must not leave empty handed. The eggs are handed to them together with a cake (a modern addition, many decorated with icing cranes, i.e., those that are supposed to have delivered the babies) and/or a traditional confectionery. (Red, made of glutinous rice flour with a sweet green bean paste filling.)
As of other celebrations, guests attending this party will usually give 'red packets' (red envelopes containing cash) to the child as gift. For the 'Full Month' however, close relatives and friends may choose instead to give gold jewelry. These usually come in the form of anklet or chain, baby size.
The party is not compulsory. It is all right if the family choose not to hold the party. In this case, the father will deliver the eggs, cakes and confectionery by hand to the relatives and friends. In this case, the eggs and cakes serve as a token of appreciation for the care and concern of the relatives and friends during the pregnancy and the after birth period.
One note though, the eggs are always given in even numbers. Even numbers are considered more auspicious than odd ones.
About the ginger, it is another story. After the child is born, the mother is considered to be weak and will be put to a 45 day rest period. During this period, she will be given some special herbs and food to help her recover. Ginger and pig trotter is a special dish made for this purpose. Ginger is considered 'warm' and will help the body to recuperate stronger after the child 'drain' the mother's body to built it's own.
