Up until the 1960s, China had a birthrate of about six children per woman. Since then, the birthrate has gone down drastically to between one or two per woman. This means that children are receiving extra attention in the family. When children in China turn one month old (their first moon phase), parents want to welcome them and introduce them to friends and family with a grand celebration. We call this party a "满月酒 (mǎnyuèjiǔ)".

Before I explain more about what exactly a "满月酒 (mǎnyuèjiǔ)" is, let me explain why I enjoy teaching it to my Mandarin Chinese students. This celebration involves many aspects and symbols of Chinese culture that foreigners find peculiar and interesting.

First, why is it called "满月酒 (mǎnyuèjiǔ)"?
满月 (mǎnyuè): full moon; a baby's completion of its first month of life;
酒 (jiǔ): liquor, spirits, which also represent a celebration in this case.

My students find our discussion of 满月酒 (mǎnyuèjiǔ) so interesting because it shows the Chinese obsession with moon phases. Also, many Chinese superstitions are on display during the 满月酒 (mǎnyuèjiǔ) party. Eggs dyed red "红蛋 (hóngdàn)" are given as gifts, with the egg itself symbolizing fertility, its roundness symbolizing harmony and the red color good fortune and happiness, as seen in the famous Chinese red envelope stuffed with cash on holidays and occasions. Additionally, gifts are given out as an even number (for good luck).

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