Birthday

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.

mixed fruit birthday cake with 72th anniversary sign

Western birthdays

Not everyone celebrates birthdays, including Jehovah's Witnesses.

In many English-speaking countries, 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. Most of the time, the number of candles is the same as the age of the birthday person.

Coming of age

Children usually reach their age of majority on a birthday.

Astrology

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

Symbolism

Birthstones

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

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