The first haircut in China!

Chinese First Haircut

Have you ever heard of a "Full Moon Party"? It might sound like a wild celebration, but in China, it has a very different and heartwarming meaning. Rather than being linked to Halloween or howling at the moon, this special occasion marks a baby's one-month milestone — a celebration known as the Full Moon Party.

This tradition honors the baby's birth and survival through their first month of life. While the event may not carry as much symbolic weight as similar customs in other cultures, the celebration of new life is always meaningful. Families may host lavish gatherings or keep things simple with a home-based celebration, but in either case, the baby is the center of attention.

As part of the tradition, the baby's hair is cut — usually by family members — then shaved, and the hair is tied with red ribbon or string to be kept as a treasured memento. Though the haircut itself is not deeply symbolic, it's believed to promote the baby's health and well-being, as well as encourage healthy hair growth.

In earlier times, it was common to leave a small tuft of hair on the baby's head, though this practice has become rare. Red plays a prominent role in Chinese culture, symbolizing good luck and happiness. Naturally, the color features heavily in Full Moon celebrations. Red-dyed eggs are shared to represent new life and fortune, and the baby is often dressed in a bright red outfit.

Unfortunately, this tradition is slowly fading, particularly among younger, Western-influenced parents. In many families, it is the grandparents — often grandmothers — who keep the custom alive, sometimes choosing to save only a small lock of hair as a keepsake.