birthdays for real?

Question

Dose any one know were people got the birthday celebration from? If you get this right you get the 10 points. You may not want to celebrate birthdays any more

Answer 1

Before humans had a way of keeping time, no one paid much attention to the anniversary of important events, such as birthdays. Only when ancient peoples began taking notice of the moon's cycles, did they pay attention to the changing seasons and the pattern that repeated itself over and over. Eventually, the first calendars were formulated in order to mark time changes and other special days. From this tracking system came the ability to celebrate birthdays and other significant anniversaries the same day each year.

Evidence of birthday observances dates back before the rise of Christianity. In pagan cultures, people feared evil spirits - especially on their birthdays. It was a common belief that evil spirits were more dangerous to a person when he or she experienced a change in their daily life, such as turning a year older. As a result, birthdays were merry occasions celebrated with family and friends, who surrounded the person of honor with laughter and joy in order to protect them from evil. Instead of gifts, most guests brought positive thoughts and happy wishes for the upcoming year. However, if well-wishers did bring gifts, it was considered an especially good influence for the birthday person.

Although historians are certain that people have observed their birthdays for quite some time, there are few records of such celebrations that still exist. Of these few descriptions, only those birthdays of kings, high-ranking nobility, and other important figures have been documented. Common people and especially children never celebrated their birth when the idea came about. This trend has been explained by a theory that nobility were the only people wealthy enough to throw such celebrations, and quite possibly were the only ones deemed important enough to have been written about or remembered. Some historians believe these early birthday bashes resulted in the custom of wearing birthday "crowns" as time went on.

Eventually, birthday celebrations became a tradition around the world with young and old, rich or poor. Although birthday customs are quite similar in some countries today, not everyone celebrates in the same way. Different people have incorporated their own rituals into the birthday celebration, based on spiritual beliefs and ancient cultural traditions. While you may find some of them odd, or even humorous, each one is unique.

Answer 2

The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was believed that evil spirits were attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would to come to the home, to be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began. At first it was only kings who were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration. As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations. The first children's birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called Kinderfests

Answer 3

History of celebration of birthdays in the West

It is thought that the large-scale celebration of birthdays in Europe began with the originally Iranian cult of Mithras in the Roman Empire. Before this, such celebrations were not common; and, hence, practices from other contexts such as the Saturnalia were adapted for birthdays. Because many Roman soldiers took up Mithraism, it had a wide distribution and influence throughout the empire until it was supplanted by Christianity.

Birthday celebrations were rare during the Middle Ages but saw a resurgence with the advent of the Reformation. During this period, they were seen as a good way to transfer customs from the saint's days to other dates not linked to the newly repudiated veneration of saints.

Even today, the celebration of birthdays is not universal in the West; in addition to those people preferring name day celebrations, Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate either, considering them to be pagan festivals along with Christmas and Easter.

Answer 4

"The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was believed that evil spirits were attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would to come to the home, to be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began. At first it was only kings who were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration. As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations. The first children's birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called Kinderfests"

Answer 5

Why would any of this stop me from wanting to celebrate birthdays?

Answer 6

dunno.....did you know by law you are of age a day before your birthday. they did this so 17 yr olds could vorte when election day was before their birthday.

Answer 7

some ancient ritual

Answer 8

pagan festival

Answer 9

No, but thanks for the two points.

Oh, btw, Belated Happy Birthday!!

Answer 10

that sounds interesting