Every culture marks significant events in one's life, with many cultures celebrating pregnancy. Mark the occasion and celebrate your pregnancy with traditions and rituals observed around the world.
Throw a renaissance baby shower
The baby shower tradition dates back to the renaissance when local women brought the expectant mother gifts such as paintings, sculptures, clothing, linens and food. To carry the objects, 'childbirth trays' were decorated and inscribed with wishes for good health and successful childbirth.
Celebrate at seven months pregnant
In Java, Indonesia, a 'mitoni' is held at seven months to celebrate the impending arrival. Friends and neighbours are invited and receive food gifts in bamboo parcels. The reason for the celebration is announced and is followed by prayers of thanks and blessing.
Sikhs also celebrate at three and seven months. It is expected that pregnant women will be given maximum love, care and attention during this special time and daily prayers are said to give thanks for the gift of new life.
Part your hair
To ensure the health of the mother and growing child, a Hindu ritual sees the father part the hair of the mother three times upward from the front to the back.
Decorate the house
Spring blossoms celebrate the rebirth of the earth and new life, helping the house look and smell great. Of course, these might not be available when you are pregnant so you could try a pagan 'Preparing' ritual involving presenting stones to the mother to be:
- Tiger's Eye for good fortune
- Rose Quartz for love
- Topaz for good health
- Moss Agate for spiritual well-being
- Gold Feldspar for a clear mind
- Hematite to protect from negativity
- Lapis Lazuli for wisdom
- Peridot for courage
- Moonstone for intuition and magic.
Read well for beautiful thoughts
An ancient Chinese belief says that what a woman thinks about during pregnancy can affect her unborn child. The tradition is for the mother to be to read good poetry. She should not gossip, laugh loudly, look at clashing colours or lose her temper! Many Chinese women will read a beautiful story before they fall asleep.
Fulfil your cravings
A tradition in Sri Lanka says that husbands and elders must make every effort to satisfy a pregnant woman's cravings so the baby is born happy and healthy. So she is visited often by relatives and friends, who bring sour tasting fruit (said to be a common craving), boiled rice and curry wrapped in a banana leaf.
The time you are pregnant is short, beautiful and deserves celebration, any way you can. These are just a small proportion of the wonderful ways people around the world revere motherhood and pray for the safe delivery of their little ones. Make it meaningful for you and your family.
Author Roberta is an Essential Baby member and mother of one.
