East Meets West: Red Eggs & Ginger Baptism

Hi Everyone,

We have lots going on this past week, but this post will be relatively short.

We did a religious family ceremony last Sunday that welcomes an adopted child into the family, which was followed by Josie's Baptism, then followed by a gathering at our home.

It was a warm and humid day and I know Wim and I were feeling a little frazzled-- between getting everyone ready for church and having the house ready for a party afterward-- it is a wonder that we managed to dress ourselves.

All went well and it was a lovely ceremony and was made even more special because our Rector is retiring and this was her last service.

The Family Ceremony

Josie's Baptism

Our Family with Rector Nancy and Uncle Earl who flew out to meet Josie and celebrate with us

Portrait of Josie in her Baptism Dress and Prayer Bear. We dressed Josie in a Traditional Chinese dress called a Cheongsam.

The church ceremony was followed by a Red Egg and Ginger party at our home. For those of you who are not familiar, this party is a tradition in China and is something that I wanted Josie to have.

Historically, a Red Egg and Ginger Party was when proud parents introduced their new baby to friends and relatives. We felt this party was a good fit for us as well because we have kept Josie's life fairly quiet these past few months to let her adjust to her new life.

Traditionally, the baby's head was also shaved during this party (we opted out of this part).

The girls' head was shaved before the image of "Mother", the Goddess of Children, and the boy's head was shaved before the ancestral table. The symbolism of this practice is not entirely known, but it is speculated that this is the removing of the birth hair, to mark the point of the child's independent existence. Today, many Asian grandparents believe that shaving the girls' head at birth is a way to encourage the growth of long, lustrous hair although this practice isn't usually done during Asian American celebrations today.

What's the Significance of Red Eggs and Ginger?

As in weddings or festivals, the color red represents happiness and good luck.
Eggs are significant because they symbolize fertility and the renewal of life.

Also, their shape is traditionally associated with harmony and unity.

Ginger is important because in the yin (cold) and yang (warm) balance of Chinese food,
ginger adds a touch of 'hotness' to the nutritional needs of the new mother, who is tired and
weak (or too yin) after giving birth.

In these modern times, parents continue to hold this celebration to signify the formal acceptance of the new child into the family.

Thank you to everyone who came! We had a great time visiting with you and introducing you to Josie.

Josie's Cake