In ancient China, longevity was a very important thing, which represented a person's longevity and health. According to the records of the "Zhou Li", people under the age of 60 are not allowed to have a birthday, and if they want to hold a birthday banquet, they must wait at least until they are over 60 years old. This is because of the ancient people's cherishing of life and respect for old age. In the past, people's life expectancy was relatively short, and not many people could live to be over 60 years old, so living to the age of 60 is considered complete. Therefore, the age of 60 is seen as an important milestone in life, and it should only be celebrated at this time, otherwise it will be considered unlucky. Birthdays at this stage are also often seen as a reminder to cherish time and work hard.
In addition, people in this age group begin to gradually decline their physical functions, and may have some health problems, and excessive longevity may bring excessive burden and pressure to the body, so it is not advisable to live long. And people over the age of 60 may prefer to have a simple and warm birthday, spend it with family and friends, and feel the warmth of family and friendship.
There is such a proverb among the people: "Do nine not ten", which means that if you have a long life, you should "do nothing, not be real". Nine is an auspicious number in Chinese culture and is believed to have auspicious and fulfilling meanings. In celebrations such as school anniversaries and factory anniversaries, it is often chosen in the year of every nine years, because nine is regarded as a number of solstice and is very auspicious.
In the same way, there is also this saying when you celebrate your birthday. For example, the 60-year-old birthday party will be advanced to the age of 59, the 70-year-old will be advanced to the 69th birthday, and the 80-year-old birthday party will be advanced to the age of 79. This is because the ancients believed that ten was the end of a cycle and represented perfection and perfection. And the ancients were very modest and avoided being too proud and complacent, so they avoided the number ten.
The fondness for the number nine is also reflected in some names of people and places. For example, "nine sons" means that there are many sons, which means reproduction and prosperity"Jiuxiao" means extremely high sky, implying the pursuit of excellence;"Nine Dragons" represents many mighty dragons, implying majestic majesty. The meaning of nine deeply affects the life and culture of Chinese.
Sixty-six years old is considered the first hurdle in life. Folklore has it that when a person reaches the age of sixty-six, there will be a turning point and a change. At this age, which is what the ancients called the "Year of the Sixtieth Birthday", people often buy a knife of meat for their parents to express their filial piety. However, this year is not suitable for holding a birthday banquet, and the older generation calls it "keeping a low profile and not celebrating in a big way".
The origins of this tradition are also associated with Confucius and Mencius. They are both two saints in ancient China, but their lifespans are only 73 and 84 years old. Therefore, ordinary people should face their birthdays with a humble attitude and should not be overly publicized. After the age of 66, people usually look forward to a longer life and hope that they will be happy and healthy in their old age.
So, on the 66th birthday, some simple and warm ways to celebrate may be more in line with the expectations of the elderly and families. You can have a meal with your family, chat about homely things, and taste the beauty of life. It is important that care and companionship are what parents need most, and in this way, love and respect are expressed for parents.
Seventy-three and eighty-four years old are two important age nodes in life. Folklore has it that Lord Yama pays special attention to people in these two age groups. So, at this age, one should be especially careful and keep a low profile in everything you do. Having a long birthday may attract the attention of Hades and avoid unnecessary conflicts and strife.
Therefore, birthdays at these two ages should not be celebrated in a big way. Instead of overspending your energy and money for a birthday party, choose a gentle way to spend this special day. You can get together with family and friends to reminisce about past experiences and express respect and blessings to the elderly.
The significance of these two age groups is also related to the age of Confucius and Mencius. It is said that they lived to be 73 and 84 years old, respectively, which also makes people pay more attention to these two ages. At this age, people should maintain a cautious and low-key attitude, and celebrating life is not only a celebration of birthdays, but also a respect and tribute to the wisdom and experience of the elderly.
In traditional Chinese culture, people over the age of 90 are considered a symbol of longevity. People in this age group tend to have a wealth of life experience and wisdom, but also have experienced many hardships and challenges. For them, birthday celebrations don't need to be too cumbersome and grand, as they may not be physically fit for too lively and stressful celebrations.
On the other hand, people over the age of 90 no longer need to specifically emphasize their longevity through birthdays, they have earned everyone's respect and blessings. There is also a folk saying that over-celebrating the elderly may be detrimental to their longevity. This is because there is a saying among the people: "Seventy do not stay overnight, eighty do not leave food, ninety do not stay", which means that at the age of 90 years old, the old man has entered the stage of old age, and the vitality of life has gradually receded. Therefore, holding a birthday banquet may bring bad luck to the joy of turning into a funeral, and it is not in line with the Chinese's respect for life and respect for the elderly.
In conclusion, when celebrating a parent's birthday, we should be respectful of their wishes and feelings. Understand their thoughts and attitudes towards birthday banquets, if parents do not have the will to celebrate their birthdays, we should respect their choices and do not force and urge them to hold birthday banquets. You can choose other forms of celebration, such as family dinners, family activities, etc., to express your blessings and gratitude. Through careful care and companionship, it is more important and meaningful for parents to feel our love and respect for them.