Hi my son is turning one. I was told I was supposed to lay some items for him to choose. I'm not sure what items to prepare. Can I also understand the rationale behind it?

The chinese ceremony is known as 抓周. "Zhou" in the word "zhua zhou" means the baby is one year old. On that day, before the baby eats its longevity noodle, the family will lay out sutras, brush pens, paper, abacus, jewelries, flowers, foods, toys and so on. If it is a baby girl, scoops, scissors, rulers and thread will be added. The baby will be put in front of these articles, and choose whatever they want to take, without any cue or instructions from their parents or other people. According to what the baby catches, the family can predict the baby's interest and the future career. http://english.cri.cn/7106/2013/12/26/2001s805245.htm The meanings behind some items are pretty straight-forward while others require some knowledge of Chinese language or culture to understand: Measuring Tape – Designer / Architect Sword – Law Enforcement / Soldier Green Onion – Intelligent [green onion (蔥 cōng) and intelligent (聰 cōng) are homophones] Stethoscope – Doctor Abacus – Businessperson Chicken – Food Security Yuanbao [(元寶) money used in ancient China] – A life of fortune Book – Scholar Calligraphy Pen – Writer Stamp – Civil Servant Peanuts – Long Life Microphone – Entertainer Celery – Industrious [celery (芹 qín) and industrious (勤 qín) are homophones]

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It's just a ceremony to predict the child's future career choice and life. It's just tradition and doesn't have to be done if you don't believe in it.