Birthday

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
100th Anniversary Birthday Cake

A birthday is the day when a person was born. In many places, on a person's birthday, he or she celebrates with friends and family at a party, where they eat cake or other foods, and get gifts. It is a common use to offer gifts in packages decorated for the occasion and accompanied by greeting cards.

Customs[change | change source]

Not everyone celebrates birthdays, including Jehovah's Witnesses.

In much of the English-speaking world people sing the song "Happy Birthday to You" to the person celebrating her or his birthday. There are similar songs in other languages.

A birthday cake is usually decorated and covered with candles. Usually the number of candles is the same as the age of the birthday person.

Coming of age[change | change source]

Children usually reach their age of majority on a birthday.

Astrology[change | change source]

A person's astrological sign is based on his or her birthday.

Symbolism[change | change source]

Birthstones[change | change source]

A birthstone symbolizes the month of birth. In 1912, the Jewelers of America agreed on a list of birthstones:

Month Modern Birthstone[1] Alternate Traditional Birthstone[1]
January Garnet Rose Quartz Garnet
February Amethyst Onyx Amethyst
March Aquamarine Red Jasper (Bloodstone) Bloodstone, Jasper
April Diamond Rock Crystal (Quartz) Diamond, Sapphire
May Emerald Chrysoprase Emerald, Agate
June Pearl (the only non-mineral), Moonstone Alexandrite Alexandrite, Emerald
July Ruby Jade or Carnelian Ruby, Onyx
August Peridot Aventurine, Sardonyx, or Sapphire Sardonyx, Carnelian
September Sapphire Lapis lazuli Sapphire, Peridot
October Opal Pink Tourmaline Tourmaline, Aquamarine
November Yellow Topaz Citrine or Turquoise Citrine, Topaz
December Turquoise, Blue Topaz Lapis Lazuli or Tanzanite Zircon, Ruby

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Timewell Corp. Website.Birthstones and Gemstones Color