As with some cultures, namely the Chinese and the Jews, we go with the Lunar calendar for important dates. For the Jewish high holidays calendar, namely Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, etc.
Today is the first day of Rosh Hashanah and also my lunar birthdate.
Though I normally do nothing for my birthdays, but my mother-in-law boiled me the customary red eggs that Chinese do on birthdays.
And I thought I would love to share this moment with you all.
(Photo is taken from Kaleidoscope Cultural China website and you can learn of the Red Egg tradition by clicking here)
I officially enter the third cycle of my life, I am a dragon baby of a leap year and this year is also a leap year.
This year is somewhat special to me because, not only is my lunar birthdate the first day of Rosh Hashanah, but also my gregorian birthday the first day of Yom Kippur – a day of repentance and atonement. These are very important to me and I hold no demarcation between spiritual and corporeal life. God is the centre of both Richard and my life, our union.
So as they say in hebrew, L’Chaim! (to life)
We wish all of you love and many happy returns.
With red stained fingers ~ ❤ JR
Happy birthday my friend!
((((((Rhonda))))))
Always a lovely surprise to know you are watching from a far
XO!
Love spiritual things and happy birthday !
Thank YOU Serach
Being close with God is always the best form of investment, period!
Spiritual things are so beautiful. They bring people closer together, make family homes a tad warmer and just generally make people smile and embrace each other as individuals!
Happy lunar birthday… As a coincidence yesterday was my name day!
Definitely sweet Edie ~ God is the centre of all things in the universe seen and unseen to us – that’s why everything is good when He is in one’s life and obviously, when things are not good, we know the adversary is lurking around.
What is a name day??! Never heard of it – going to check it out!
Though I am from Lithuania, all of my roots are from elsewhere and some of them are Polish, which is why name days are of importance:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_day#Poland
This is SO very interesting! We’ve never heard of it before, wow! Now I wonder when is my name day
Happy (belated) Name Day to YOU Edyta!! XO
Happy birthday!
This must be you year, Jeannie, so many important things meet at a very important piont in life.
These eggs are beautiful, i have never seen red eggs before, but i can eat them with my eyes.
So special!!
My heart id full for you
xoxo
Irit
You’ve never seen red eggs? Well, now you do
It’s a very common practice in the Chinese to culture, it represent good fortune and all things auspicious. Originally, its meant to celebrate the 1st month of a baby since its birth, but today, you will see red eggs in every birthday no matter how old you are LOL! The birthday person will be the first to crack and eat the egg before the others can.
They are magnificent!
What do they put in the water to make them this kind of red?
You boil the eggs first with some salt in the water.
And after, while the eggs are still hot, you soak them in the water that is with the red food colouring dye.
I was imagining some natural color….
Happy Happy Birthday Jeannie!
All my best wishes dear!
PS do you also break the eggs like we do in Easter?
Thank YOU my dear Marina
Yes, we crack it and eat it, hahaha!
But the birthday person must be the first person to do the cracking and eating before the others join in – a custom
…well, of course!!!!
Happy birthday Jeannie!!! all my love and best wishes for you!!! Enjoy your day
Kisses to you Edurne
Not much else is done, just another day but at the same time, praying for good things to come not just for me but for all good folks out there like you ~ XO!
Ooooh, that’s so sweet! Big kiss for you
Jeannie – a very, very Happy Birthday to you! And it is so extra special this year: for you because of the dates and for us because we know you!
btw – What dye is used to makes the eggs red? And, do you eat them?
~ I just read the links to making the red eggs.
So now you know a little more about Chinese culture
Actually, apart from the pork, the Jews and Chinese have a lot of similar customs. Fortunately, for Richard and I, we never liked eating pork – in fact, we hope to return to our vegetarian eating ways.
Today, you will see red eggs at every birthday no matter the age.
What they did not state on the website was that the birthday person must be the first to crack and eat the egg before the others partake in the tradition.
Also, my own mom would have an additional item, which is also a Chinese tradition but most people today don’t do it anymore, maybe they find it troublesome – is a small bowl of sweet soup vermicelli. Sweet to denote a sweet life (just like apples in honey on Rosh Hashanah) and red eggs for fertility and auspiciousness
I love learning and am so glad you are sharing your special customs with us. I love tradition and ritual. Jack and I like to make our own rituals that are special to us. XO!
Auguri!!!!!! I love the red Jeannie. Happy feasting and happiness always! Jx
Grazie mille Janine
I wish you the same always! XO!!
Jeannie – Jack and I wish you many blessings on your gregorian birthday tomorrow, and many warm blessings to you and Richard for a peaceful Yom Kippur. ~Patricia
Oh my! Thank YOU both for remembering and wishing us both a peaceful Yom Kippur. We wish you both the same too, it has been a heavy period for inner reflection and resolutions.
Yes, we can identify, lots of soul searching, new goal setting, new directions, and thinking out of the box like never before – all while trusting. To peace.