What are the customs and taboos in western countries?

Superstition during pregnancy [custom] There are many things to pay attention to during pregnancy. Although medicine is developed now, we should pay attention to some accidents and anomalies. There has been a superstition in Japan since ancient times that children will get erythema when they see fire during pregnancy, and they will get rabbit lips when they bully animals during pregnancy. Although all this is groundless, it is an important life knowledge of the ancients, so it is always good for the baby to believe.

Naming a child is as interesting as wanting to know his gender when he is born. And naming is a very important thing, and the quality of the name will affect everything in his future. Generally, after choosing a name, the elders will write it on paper in a certain format for the altar.

The writing of the production notice [custom] The purpose of writing the production notice is the same as calling the news, just to inform everyone that the baby has been born. The letter used is the same as that used for the Spring Festival. Just use printed postcards. Generally speaking, it occurs around 1~2 weeks after the baby is born. The content of this kind of birth notice is written by parents, but it is generally written about the date of birth, the appearance of birth, the sex of the child, the date of birth, the health status and weight of the child, and whether it is consistent with the parents' appearance.

Congratulations on production [custom] When you receive letters from relatives and friends telling you about production, it is polite to write some congratulations. There is no standard here, just express your joy appropriately. Attention should be paid to avoid using words with the same meaning as "God", "Hui" and "Qu" or with the same sound as "death". In addition, if you see the baby face to face, you just need to express your cuteness frankly, and be careful not to praise it too much, so as not to have the opposite effect.

Gifts to celebrate birth [custom] Generally speaking, most gifts to celebrate birth are mainly things that babies can use. When giving the baby something that can be used, it should be noted that it is best to use it for about one year. In order to better meet the baby's needs, parents can also be consulted before giving gifts, and it is also a good choice to pack cash gifts or department store gift certificates when necessary. In addition, in addition to celebrating the birth of the baby, we should also consider the mother. It is a good choice to send something to eat properly or take care of your baby's daily necessities in the future.

The third and fifth nights [custom] The third and fifth nights refer to the third and fifth days after delivery, and they used to be as grand as the seventh night. At first, it was a celebration of the nobility in Heian Dynasty, but now it is hardly held. Generally speaking, women begin to recover physically and mentally from the third day. At this time, they can begin to express their gratitude to the doctors and nurses who helped with the production, and usually have the custom of sending some fruits and juices. On the fifth night, as on the third night, many people will get together to celebrate the birth and growth of children.

Seven nights [custom] The so-called seven nights are to celebrate the seventh day after delivery, and they are still widely celebrated until now. This day is also a day to pray for the healthy growth of children. Most places will announce children's names on this day's celebration. After becoming a habit, seven nights will also become the deadline for naming children.

Celebration of Tanabata [Custom] There are many ways to celebrate Tanabata, and there are different ways to celebrate it according to different places. If you really want to celebrate, the best way is to invite your parents and local elders. Although there are some different customs in different places, the same and very important custom in the whole country is to invite close relatives and friends to the prepared banquet. What is indispensable at the banquet is fried rice and grilled fish with fish tail leading. The grilled fish that needs to be served with head and tail is a blessing from beginning to end, and snapper is generally used. In addition, there are fish species that are meaningful for birth and growth.

Visiting the Yasukuni Shrine [custom] Visiting the Yasukuni Shrine is not only an important behavior for children in July, May and March, but also very important for children to go to the shrine to thank their gods when they are born. Generally speaking, boys will pay homage on the 3rd1day after birth, and girls will pay homage on the 32nd day after birth. At this time, grandparents will hold their newborn babies and wear formal clothes, accompanied by their parents who also wear formal kimonos to pay homage.

ZOME [custom] This is a custom handed down from ancient times. The so-called chopsticks are chopsticks, and zome is the beginning. This custom will be held at different times according to different places, but it is usually held on the100th or120th day after the child is born. At this time, of course, children will not eat by themselves, but will prepare some soft-shelled turtle, smoked food, pickled plums and other foods and eat them symbolically with chopsticks to express their blessings.

The so-called festival refers to five Japanese folk festivals: 1 7th of the month, 3rd of March, 5th of May, 7th of July and 9th of September. The next sentence is the first time a child meets his own festival. In the past, girls would give embryonic dolls and boys would give warrior statues as gifts, but now the gifts are more practical. As for the return, there is actually no need to be too deliberate. Generally speaking, girls will come back with diamond cakes and embryo dolls, and boys will come back with cypress cakes or fried rice. Anyway, as long as they are sincerely grateful.

Clothing [custom] The ceremony of 753 is very important for children, so clothing should be quite formal. At this time, girls will wear kimonos with vibrating sleeves, and boys will wear kimonos with patterns, feathers and pants. But now, the clothes in 753 are not as standard as before, and sometimes there are some strange clothes, but no matter how you wear them, the importance of the ceremony and the focus of prayer remain the same.

Girl 753 [Custom] Girls celebrate their growth at the age of three and seven, which was first held in kanto region. When a girl is three years old and seven years old, she will have a formal dress with hair and a tie. Because it is very important to celebrate the growth of girls, and the kimono worn at this time is the first time since birth, so I am very cautious.

Boys' 753 [Custom] When they were three years old, boys and girls dressed the same. When they are five years old, boys will wear kimonos and trousers to celebrate. At this time, ceremony and dress are very important. In the edo period, when boys were five years old, they would put on formal trousers and skirts to symbolize that they would lay a solid foundation. Standing firmly on the substrate also means becoming a warrior above others and entering another stage, so the ceremony and dress at this time are very important.

Celebration of the first birthday [custom] Because we are very happy that everything will be safe in the first year of the child's birth, and we also pray for a happy growth in the future, we will celebrate the child's first birthday carefully. "The Birth of Cake" will be prepared at the celebration. Now because of different places, different cakes will be prepared. In addition, a "one liter cake" will be prepared, hoping that the child will take the first step to shoulder the mission and prove that the child is healthy and sound.

Celebrating kindergarten gifts [custom] Lovely children are at home from birth and are taken care of by people around them. Now that I can speak and do basic activities, I'm going to kindergarten to learn the first contact with people. This is an important and exciting start, so send a small gift to encourage my child by going up one flight of stairs! Children are usually given crayons, picture books and so on. At this time, but the best way is to ask the child's preferences directly. Besides, in return, you don't have to be too grand. You usually just need to say thank you sincerely.

Celebrate the gift of entering primary school [custom] Children entering primary school means that they will enter the initial stage of life challenges, so gift celebration means blessing and prayer. Before going to primary school, parents usually prepare a lot of pre-school education books or related learning props to prepare their children for school, so when giving gifts, avoid giving some learning tools. Usually, the most common gift is a schoolbag, but the best way is to ask the children or parents' preferences directly before giving gifts. If there is no good way, it is not bad to send some socks, pencils, coats, etc. It can be used in school.

Gifts to celebrate entering middle school [custom] Because middle school entrance is also regarded as an adult process, it seems natural to give gifts and congratulations at this time. Usually, gifts are mainly watches, pens and other things that can be used at school. But if you are quite familiar with the children or parents who are going to middle school, it is best to ask why you like something in person, and then choose what to give. In addition, the gift should not be too expensive as far as possible, as long as there are blessings.

Gift signing [customization] Celebrating gift bags are the same as water guides, so don't forget the last gift signing. The Japanese character for the signing ceremony is "iron". Its origin comes from iron abalone. Slicing abalone and drying it in the sun is an indispensable and important item in various ceremonies in ancient times. In practice, prolongation represents a good sign of lengthening and stretching, and gradually evolves into a necessity to celebrate happy events. In the past, real abalone was put on wrapping paper, but now only the shape is left, which is usually made of wrapping paper. NOSI is usually red and white, with the upper end folded into a slender hexagon, with 20% discount for festive activities, 50% discount for wedding celebrations and 20% discount for visiting patients.

Ebisu talks about [customs] Ebisu talks about1Ebisu Festival held on October 20th. This is an act circulated among businessmen, who pray for a prosperous business.

Petra City [Custom] The so-called Petra City is a market selling pickled radishes. 10 19, Petra city will be opened on the street between Ogawa-machi and Niigata-machi in Tokyo. Here you will hear the voice of businessmen selling Petala. Actually, PETARA is the name of pickled products. Originally, Petala was a market selling pickled prawns and other things that Ebisu needed to speak the next day, but I don't know how long it took to become a market selling pickled radishes.

Royal ceremony [custom] 10 13, a ceremony was held to commemorate the death of a lotus master. This ceremony is called the royal ceremony. The imperial ceremony of Benmen Temple in Tokyo flower arrangement is very famous. Believers will hold various lanterns to support them.

2 10 [custom] September 1 day is also called 2 10, which happens to be 2 1 0 from beginning of spring to September1day. It is the season with the most typhoons and the harvest season of crops, so farmers will be very worried during this time. Therefore, it is very important to pay more attention to caution and make full preparations at this time.

Sprinkle beans [custom] The season and name of sprinkling beans are different in every place in Japan. On New Year's Eve or 65438+February 27th, there is a custom ceremony called ghost playing, the main content of which is to exorcise evil spirits. In fact, beans are also a power tool that can be used for divination. In Wakayama county, people burn beans to calculate the weather on holiday nights, which is called burning beans or bean accounting. There are many methods about bean occupation in various places. Wherein 12 beans are discharged from the right side for 12 months, and then the beans are burned separately. When the color of beans looks white, it means the sun is shining. If the color is quite black after burning, it means it will rain. There are many such divinations, which is a very special custom.

Rong format [custom] If you visit Rong format among the seven wealth gods on the first day of the New Year's Day 10, it will be blessed for generations to come. Zhengyang was originally the god of Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, and businessmen in Kansai believed in him. Wearing a hat and posing as a snapper looks very close to the general public.

Beginning [custom] The so-called "beginning" means that the children of samurai will put on armor for the first time when they are just adults. To wear is to wear, which means the first thing from the beginning. Starting now means that in the new year, the whole person's body and mind should be completely transformed, and everything and clothes should be updated.

Palace Museum Celebration [Custom] The Palace Museum Celebration is held on 1 2nd every year. On this day, the Emperor, the Empress and the Crown Prince will appear in public once in the morning and once in the afternoon to receive New Year greetings from the people of the whole country.

Fireworks Festival [custom] Fireworks Festival is the most representative custom in summer. Originated from a corner of Edo (present-day Tokyo) in Lany during the Edo period, the competition between two fireworks manufacturers, Wuyu and You Ke. Now, fireworks festivals are held all over Japan in summer. Watching the fireworks festival is the most suitable activity, and you can feel the lively atmosphere on a hot and humid summer night. Fireworks explode and then disappear into the night sky with a bang, just like cherry blossoms, symbolizing purity and impermanence.

Tea picking [custom] Green tea is a very important drink in Japanese life. Relatively speaking, tea picking has become a very important activity. The so-called tea picking is to pick new buds and leaves of tea trees. Tea picking activities are from mid-April to late May every year, and the peak period of tea picking is two to three weeks after the 88th night (about May 2nd). The picked tea leaves need to be rubbed the next night after steaming. In the past, when picking tea, all you could see was wearing a red scarf and singing tea-picking songs while picking tea. This scene full of tea-picking music has disappeared in today's mechanization.

Pot [custom] The so-called pot is the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a Buddhist ceremony mainly to worship ancestors from July of 13 to June or August of 15 every year. It is said that during this period, ancestors will return home. In order to prevent ancestors from finding their homes, braziers will be placed at home and lanterns will be hung inside. In addition, the Buddhist altar will be beautifully decorated and decorated with offerings such as vegetables and fruits. At the end of this period in the basin, the ancestors will be sent back. At this time, a brazier will be placed at the door, and the offerings will float in the rivers and seas, representing the respect for the ancestors.

New Year's Eve soba noodles [custom] The custom of eating new year's Eve soba noodles began to spread from the Edo period. The origin of the custom is a long time ago, when cleaning on New Year's Eve, the metalworking master glued scattered gold powder and buckwheat together in the workshop to make meatballs, then put the meatballs on the brazier for barbecue and took out the gold powder from the meatballs. Buckwheat was used to collect gold, and later it gradually evolved into the custom of eating buckwheat noodles on New Year's Eve. Nowadays, soba noodles are slender, and the purpose of eating soba noodles is to pray for longevity.

Around the 3rd century, China invented black powder, which was later spread to Europe. In the14th century, Europe began to set off fireworks with great fanfare, which often lasted nearly half a day. On August 6th, 2003, when British and Japanese businessmen visited China in the Ming Dynasty, they set off fireworks in Fujun to show them to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is said that this is the first time in Japan. "

Seeing fireworks clearly is the first priority. In addition, the first factor to consider is-[wind direction]. If you look down the wind, you can't see the fireworks clearly because of the smoke, but you may also encounter the gas released by the fireworks, which will be very painful and dangerous if it enters your eyes. In addition, according to my own hobbies, if you want to see the overall configuration of fireworks after the end of the day, you should generally leave the flowers for about 400-500 meters. If you want to feel the power of fireworks, it seems better to be closer. It is very important to confirm all kinds of matters in advance before dark and find a satisfactory place. In addition, be careful not to get close to places where people flow frequently, such as passages and booths, otherwise you can't concentrate on appreciation.

Flower room [custom] The so-called flower room is to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms while enjoying the activities of going out to play. In Japan, cherry blossoms bloom in March and April. At this time, everyone will enjoy cherry blossoms with family, friends, colleagues and others. Usually, everyone will sit under the cherry tree, drink and sing, and enjoy this beautiful spring together.

New year's food [custom] New year's food is called "OSETU cuisine" in Japanese, which is a special dish eaten three days before the first month of the first month. Cooking, cooking and other kinds of dishes will be packed in laminated square boxes of lacquerware. The dishes not only look very luxurious, but also can be preserved for a long time, so that housewives don't have to spend a lot of time preparing meals in the next three days and reduce the burden of housework. Basically, some new year's dishes are necessary and have special significance, such as snapper, which means "good luck" and Kunbu means "beaming", but there are still some subtle differences according to different places.

Seven grass porridge [custom] 65438+1On October 7th, it was the custom to cook porridge with celery and other "spring seven grass". This day, as long as you eat this porridge, you can stay away from all diseases. In addition, seven grass porridge has different cooking methods according to different places, such as adding adzuki beans in some places.

Opening the mirror [custom] On June 65438+1October 65438+1October 0, the mirror cake decorated in the niche is taken down and eaten, which is called opening the mirror. Originally, this custom was held on 20th, but because Guang Jia, the third generation general of Tokugawa shogunate, died on 20th of 165 1+0, the 20th was changed to 1 1. On the first day of the first month 1 1, mirror cakes will be cut and eaten. Because mirror cakes are mascots, it is necessary to avoid "cutting" with sharp tools, so hammer them open by hand. But the mirror cake hammer is open, so this custom is called opening the mirror.

Mirror cake [customized] Mirror cake is two flat rice cakes about 10~20 cm in size stacked on a bench. In the first month, the mirror cake will be placed in a niche to worship the gods. There is an ancient belief in Japan. It is said that in the first month, Nian Shen will visit his home. In order to worship Nian Shen, a mirror cake must be prepared. But in recent years, fewer and fewer people keep this fabulous custom. Usually, the mirror cake is only used as an ornament.

Straw rope [custom] Straw rope is something hung on the door in the first month to ward off evil spirits. Because the straw rope is the representative of a clean place to meet the gods, the original straw rope is a pendant made of mascots such as oranges and Yi Shi shrimps. Oranges mean prosperity for future generations, and other mascots also have different meanings. After the New Year, the straw rope will be removed together with Mensong and taken to the shrine for burning.

New Year's greetings [custom] New Year's greetings are congratulatory letters written to good friends, relatives and elders during the New Year in China. In fact, it is also the so-called New Year card. It turns out that the New Year message was written on June 2, 65438, and then sent in Matsunouchi [June 7, 65438]. However, in order to cooperate with the special postal system on New Year's Day, people will begin to prepare New Year greetings at the end of the year. On the contrary, fewer and fewer people will start writing on June 5438+1October 2.

Tu Su [Custom] The Japanese custom of drinking Tu Su wine began in heian period. Tu Su is a medicinal liquor containing Chinese prickly ash, platycodon grandiflorum and cinnamon. It is said that drinking it can exorcise evil spirits and prolong life, which is essential for Chinese New Year. Usually, after family members wish each other good health this year, they will drink Tu Su in order of age.

Mensong [custom] To celebrate the New Year, the door will be decorated with "Mensong", which is a symbol of calling God and a place where God stays in the world. In the past, this decoration was made of evergreen trees such as pine and fir. I don't know when it began to be dominated by pine, and because it was placed at the door, it was called "door pine". Nowadays, "door pine" is usually decorated with three bamboos around pine branches and knotted with ropes. However, in the Kansai region, there are also door pines with paper ropes and decorations. On June 7, 65438, the door pine and many Spring Festival decorations will be demolished. On behalf of the first lunar month, the Spring Festival is coming to an end. The period from New Year's Day to 65438+10.7 is called "Matsunouchi".

Miscellaneous cooking [custom] Miscellaneous cooking, formerly known as "miscellaneous cooking", is a soup made of potatoes and various things, and it is also an indispensable food for the New Year. The legend of eating miscellaneous vegetables began in the Muromachi era. At that time, eating miscellaneous vegetables during the Spring Festival was also called "keeping dirty". This means I want to eat healthily. Miscellaneous cooking practices vary from round sweet potatoes in Kansai to round ones and then to the four corners of Kanto. Eating potato means praying for perfection and good luck. In terms of soup, clear soup is the main ingredient in Kanto and miso is the main ingredient in Kansai. Other ingredients added by miscellaneous cooking are mainly famous products from all over the world.

The first dream [custom] literally means the first dream in the first month. Actually, it was the dream I had the next night in the first month after I started working. The first dream has existed since the edo period. According to Tokugawa Ieyasu's auspicious dream, dreaming of "a Fuji, two eagles and three eggplants" is an auspicious sign.

The custom of hanging the carp flag on the Dragon Boat Festival began in the middle of Edo. Its origin is based on the legend in China that "carp will turn into dragons when crossing the dragon gate of the Yellow River". The scene of the carp flag fluttering in the wind is like fighting for the upper reaches in the rapids. Therefore, I hope my children will make progress and achieve something.

Acorus calamus [custom] This is a very fragrant plant, which was also used in ancient stomach medicines. The Dragon Boat Festival will be soaked in calamus soup, and calamus and wormwood will be inserted at the entrance to exorcise evil spirits.

Zongzi [Custom] Zongzi was handed down from China in the Nara era. Because it is easy to store and carry, it quickly became popular in people's diet. Zongzi became a snack in the edo period, so it was more popular. In addition, the origin of the Japanese custom of eating zongzi on the Dragon Boat Festival is also influenced by the story of China poet Qu Yuan.