Birthdays are one of humanity’s most universally celebrated occasions. But birthdays are celebrated very differently in different cultures and locations around the world. From ancient rituals with spiritual roots to modern commercial celebrations, birthday traditions reflect cultural values, historical influences, and social customs and their evolution over the years. Some societies emphasize the individual achievement of a birthday milestone, while others focus on community bonds and the family effort required to get someone from one birthday to the next. These diverse approaches reveal fascinating insights into human behavior. These facts about birthdays and traditions worldwide will give us a look into what unites us and what sets us apart.
9 Birthday Facts
1. Birthday celebrations originated in ancient Egypt around 3,000 BCE. (Source)
Traditionally, only pharaohs and gods celebrated birthdays, but this gradually spread to common people through Greek and Roman influence, establishing our foundation for modern birthday celebrations.
2. The use of birthday candles began with the ancient Greeks. (Source)
Greeks placed candles on cakes in offerings to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. The smoke from the extinguished candles was said to carry prayers and wishes to heaven. That’s why we’re told to make a wish when blowing out birthday candles!
3. Koreans place a special significance on 60th birthdays. (Source)
This birthday milestone, called “hwangap” in Korea, represents the completion of a full zodiac cycle. It’s considered the most important birthday you’ll have in a lifetime.
4. Practitioners of the Jehovah’s Witness faith do not celebrate birthdays. (Source)
This religion views birthdays as a pagan practice displeasing to god. Other religions shun birthdays too, including some Islamic scholars. Orthodox Judaism celebrates dates on the Hebrew calendar but ignores Gregorian calendar birthdays.
5. 49% of Americans say they spend the most money on birthday presents. (Source)
Nearly half of Americans consider birthdays more important and worthy of higher spending than other holiday gifts. Birthdays are one of the top occasions for gift spending.
6. Germans believe that early birthday wishes are bad luck. (Source)
That means it’s also very rude to open presents before your actual birthday. Adults in Germany always organize their own birthday parties. Children receive a “birthday wreath” that stays lit all day and they get to skip chores. In some places, when single Germans reach their 30th birthday, they must perform unusual old traditions like cleaning doorknobs, sweeping courthouse steps, or receiving a string of old boxes.
7. The oldest recorded birthday celebration marked 122 years. (Source)
This record belongs to Jeanne Calment of France, who passed away in 1997. She has the longest recorded lifespan in human history.
8. August is the most popular birth month in America. (Source)
August is the most common birth month in 45 out of 50 states. The most common birth date in America, however, is September 9th.
9. Facebook generates over 50 million birthday wishes daily. (Source)
Social media has transformed the way we remember and acknowledge birthdays. Platforms like Facebook are an automated tracker to remind us of loved ones’ special days.
Featured image photo credit: Ylanite Koppens.
