Why Do Chinese Eat Eggs on Birthdays? The Meaning Behind the Tradition
The symbolic power of eggs in Chinese culture
Eggs in Chinese tradition are way more than just breakfast. They represent life, birth, fertility — yeah, it’s kind of poetic. A whole egg, with its smooth, round shape, is seen as a symbol of wholeness and the cycle of life. So when someone has a birthday, especially a kid, eating an egg is basically a quiet way of saying, “Here’s to a full, long, healthy life!”
The red-dyed egg ritual
If you’ve ever seen a bright red egg at a Chinese birthday (or a baby’s one-month celebration), you might’ve thought, “Wait… why is this egg blushing?” That’s because red symbolizes luck, happiness, and prosperity. So they dye the eggs red as a blessing.
A bit of trivia: traditionally, families would give out red eggs to relatives and neighbors when a baby turns one month old (known as the “full moon” celebration). It’s a way to announce the baby's survival and introduce them to the world.
Why birthdays and eggs are linked
A wish for renewal and rebirth
Birthdays in Chinese culture are less about “parties” and more about giving thanks and blessing the person’s future. Eating an egg is like a symbolic reset — it connects the person to the origins of life, offering a clean start and a prayer for continued vitality.
I remember visiting a friend’s grandmother for her 80th birthday in Hangzhou. She had this bowl of longevity noodles (we’ll get to those later), and right in the middle? A boiled egg. She cracked it slowly, smiling. When I asked why, she just said, “So I live another 80.” There was this soft weight to her words.
The role of family and tradition
Passed down without question
Often, people follow the egg-on-birthday ritual without really thinking too deeply. It’s just something their mom did, and their grandma before her. It’s part of the rhythm of being Chinese — like slurping noodles or wearing red for weddings.
But if you look closer, there’s something beautiful about the simplicity of it. One egg, one life. A ritual that’s humble but packed with meaning.
How the birthday egg is served
Plain and simple – or fancy?
Most often, it’s just a hard-boiled egg. Maybe served in the same bowl as noodles. No sauce, no salt — just pure. Some families might add soy or a bit of tea for flavor, but it’s not about the taste. It’s about the symbolism.
In more modern celebrations, especially in cities like Shanghai or Beijing, you might see red eggs served in little decorative boxes or alongside small cakes. Kinda mixing old and new.
Longevity noodles and eggs: the birthday combo
You can't really talk about birthday eggs without mentioning longevity noodles ( chángshòu miàn). These extra-long noodles are served uncut — because cutting them? That’s like chopping someone’s life short. Yikes.
So a classic Chinese birthday meal might look like this:
A bowl of long, slurpable noodles
A boiled egg on top
Maybe a light broth or a few veggies
Simple, nourishing, meaningful.
Final thoughts: it's more than just food
Eggs on birthdays aren’t just food traditions — they’re quiet acts of love, symbols of hope, and little anchors to cultural roots. Sure, maybe it’s just an egg. But in Chinese culture, that egg is loaded with wishes: for health, for happiness, for many more birthdays to come.
So next time someone offers you an egg on your birthday, don’t laugh it off. Eat it with gratitude. Because hey — it’s not just an egg. It’s a blessing in disguise.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.