Chinese tradition of Draw Lots

Zhuazhou(draw lots) is regarded as one of the most important customs on a child's first birthday anniversary. As a traditional, long-time custom in China, Zhuazhou is essentially a test where parents place an assortment of articles in front of their child to choose from to determine his or her future inclination and capabilities. The earliest written record of this custom can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The Zhuazhou ceremony usually takes place before the longevity noodle at lunchtime. A wealthy family will install a table on the bed (or kang -- a heated brick bed used in Northern China) where stamps, classic Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist books, a Chinese brush pen, ink, paper, an ink stone, abacus, coins, an accounting book, jewelry, flowers, rouge, food, and toys are placed. If the baby is female, the following items are added: a scoop, spoon (representing cooking utensils), scissors, ruler (representing sewing items), thread, and a design book (representing embroidery.

Selecting the stamp means the child will be an officer in the future; if the stationery is chosen first, the baby will be industrious and endowed with great literary talents; and the abacus suggests a penchant for statistics and financing. A girl baby who first grabs a sewing item or cooking utensil will be a good housewife. On the other hand, when the child picks a cake or a toy, he or she will know how to enjoy the pleasures in life. All in all, parents and relatives pin high hope on the future of their children, and the custom of Zhuazhou is a way of expressing their good wishes.