The one-month anniversary of a baby boy’s birth is a significant event for Vietnamese families, who honor this milestone with a special ceremony. This ritual serves as an opportunity to welcome the new addition to the family and bring joy to the household. So, what does this celebration entail, and how can you prepare for it?
1 Understanding the Origin of the One-Month Celebration for Baby Boys
The tradition of marking a baby’s one-month birthday is often tied to the legends of the Midwives and the Duke Ong. According to these stories, each newborn is crafted by the Great Fairies (also known as the Twelve Midwives) or the Lady of the First Birth. These mythical midwives are responsible for shaping the baby’s features, from eyes and nose to hands and feet, and their skill determines the child’s beauty.
The Traditions Behind the One-Month Celebration
Ancient tales also suggest that when a baby turns one month old and is healthy, parents perform a ritual to express gratitude to the Midwives and the Duke Ong for bringing the child safely into their home. This belief holds that the midwives and the duke played a crucial role in ensuring a safe delivery and the well-being of both mother and child.
The Twelve Midwives, servants of the Jade Emperor, each have a distinct role in childbirth and child-rearing. They are known by specific names, such as Midwife Tran Tu Nuong, who oversees childbirth, and Midwife Lam Cuu Nuong, who is associated with conception.
In the past, it was believed that newborns were fragile, and their survival beyond the first four weeks was uncertain due to weak health. So, when a baby reached this milestone, a celebration was held to express gratitude and joy. This day also held significance as the day the parents would officially name their child.
2 Calculating the Anniversary Date
Traditionally, the one-month anniversary is calculated based on the lunar calendar. For baby boys, the celebration is held a day before their birth date, following the belief, “Girls go back two, boys go back one.” So, if a baby boy is born on the 25th of the third lunar month, the celebration falls on the 24th of the fourth lunar month.
However, modern families may opt for convenience and choose to celebrate on the baby’s actual birth date according to the solar calendar.
If you’re searching for the perfect name for your baby boy born in 2022, our suggestions align with feng shui and offer a bright future.
3 Preparing the Offerings
The offerings for a baby boy’s one-month celebration are similar to those for a girl’s, including 12 small bowls of floating rice dumplings and one large bowl, 12 small bowls of porridge, and their larger counterparts, along with 12 small plates of sticky rice and one large plate.
Basic Offerings
- 12 small bowls of dessert and 3 large bowls
- 13 small plates of sticky rice (red or cracked, depending on the region) and 3 large plates
- One boiled chicken
- Boiled pork, eggs, and shrimp or crab, known as the “three delicacies”
- Rice vermicelli
Offerings for the Twelve Midwives
- Paper offerings: green shoes, green gold bars, and green dresses
- Betel and areca nuts: 12 betel nuts with quartered areca nuts, and one larger betel nut with a whole areca nut
- Children’s toys made of plastic or ceramic
- Live or boiled crabs, snails, or shrimp of the same size, with one larger one
- Rice cakes divided into 12 equal portions and one larger portion
- Candy and cookies, also divided into 12 portions and one larger portion
- Incense, multi-colored flower vases, gold paper, and clear water
Offerings for the Duke Ong
Additionally, mothers should prepare the following for the Duke Ong:
- 1 boiled chicken with crossed wings
- 1 large bowl of porridge
- 1 large bowl of dessert
- 3 large plates of sticky rice
- Roasted meat, a plate of five types of fruit, betel and areca nuts, alcohol, and paper offerings (fake money)
4 Performing the Ritual
The One-Month Celebration Ritual
Once the offerings are set up, the father or mother will light three incense sticks and hold the baby in front of the altar. They will then recite a prayer to the Midwives, expressing gratitude and seeking continued blessings for the child’s health and happiness.
The prayer goes: “Today, our baby … is one month old. We offer this tray of gifts to invite the Twelve Midwives and the Three Virtues to witness and accept our gratitude. We ask for blessings for our child’s strong hands and feet, good health, and happiness. May you bring joy and harmony to our family.”
The Naming Ritual
Following the one-month celebration ritual, the naming ritual takes place. The person performing the ritual will first pray to the ancestors, mentioning the chosen name for the baby. Then, they will toss two silver coins onto a plate to seek ancestral approval.
– If the coins show one head and one tail, the ancestors have accepted the name.
– If both coins show the same side, the ancestors do not approve, and the ritual must be repeated. If, after three attempts, the coins still match, a new name must be chosen.
The Flower-Catching Ritual
In some regions, an additional ritual called “catching the flower” or “catching the piece” is performed. The baby is placed in the center, and the person conducting the ritual pours tea, lights incense, and holds the baby with one hand while waving a flower branch over the baby’s mouth, reciting blessings for a prosperous life.
“Open your mouth for flowers and blessings, for love and remembrance, for silver and gold, and for the admiration of your neighbors.”
The celebration concludes with a feast, as all family members gather to eat, exchange gifts, and give lucky money to the baby boy as a blessing.
5 Things to Keep in Mind
– The offerings for a baby girl’s one-month celebration are typically arranged symmetrically on two tables of different sizes, with the larger one holding offerings for the Midwives and the smaller one for the Duke Ong, placed about 10 inches apart.
– It is ideal for all family members to be present during the one-month celebration.
– The early morning or evening is considered the best time to perform the one-month celebration ritual.
The one-month celebration is a cherished tradition for new parents, who wish for their child’s health and prosperity. We hope this guide helps make it a memorable occasion for your family!
