Howtocookreddyedegg:https://snapguide.

com/guides/cookchineseredeggs/
________________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION

Theres a saying inChinese that babyis the fruit oflove.Babyis so preciousthatallparentswillmake

sure their childis born healthy,lovable,andsmart. This isnoexceptiontotheChinesewhoisknownto
berichintaboosandsuperstitions.Therefore,the pregnancyforChinesemothersaresurroundedbymany
dosanddonts.

So, just incaseyoure wonderinghow doChinesebelieve tohave an auspiciouspregnancyaccordingto

certainsuperstitions,herearethecommonpregnancytaboos:

Wellfirstlookatthe
dos
and
donts

during
pregnancy.

[Narrator1]Onceuponatime,(around20yearsago),therelivealadywhowasmarriedtoagentleman.

DONTS
1. Norenovation
[Narrator 1] One day, when she found out she was blessed with a baby, she decided to build a new
nurseryroom.
[Scene 1] Worker holding a hammer with pregnant woman supervising the work [Sound effect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GqQGSG6Fvo][Slides:Houseundergoingrenovation]
[Narrator 2]InWesternculture, it ispopularto carry outrenovationofanurserytoprepareforthebaby.
In Chinese culture,however,renovatingis abigtaboo as any kindofsawing,drilling andhammeringis
considered very threatening tothebabyasitwill
hurtthebabysspirit,whichwillthenindirectlyaffect
thefetusduringthepregnancy.
2.Norubbingthebabybump
[Narrator 1] While she is supervising the progress being made on the nursery room, shethen rubs her
babybumpandtalkstoherbaby,thiswillbeyourroomwhenyoucomeintothisworld.

[Scene2]Pregnantladyrubbingherbelly
[Narrator 2]While apregnantwomanmayhavethatimpulsetoexpressaffectionforherbabybyrubbing
thebelly,

Chinesesuperstitionsaysdoingsowillresultinademandingandspoiledchild.
3.Noscissorsorneedlesinbed
[Narrator1]Fewmonthslater,shefoundoutherbabysgenderanddecidedtosewapairofmittens.
[Scene3]Pregnantladyusingscissorsandneedlestosewsomething.
[Narrator 2] Beds are important symbols of marriage and fertility in the Chinese culture.So, pregnant
women are discouraged from using sharp objects like scissorsandneedlesonthebed, asitmaysignal
cuttingtheumbilicalcordorcausingbirthdefects.
4.Aknifeunderthebed
[Narrator1]Whenthenightfalls,sheplacesaknifeunderherbedbeforeshesleeps.
[Scene4]Pregnantladyputaknifeunderthebed
[Narrator 2]Accordingtoone Chinese myth,youcanputaknifeunderthebedtoprotectyourbabyfrom
evilspirits.
5.Watchingyourdiet
[Narrator 1] The next morning, she prepared herselfa cup ofcoffee,andasunnysideupeggwithsoy
sauce on it for breakfast. Just before she take a sip of her coffee, her motherinlaw approachherand
showsheralistoffoodtotakeandavoid.
[Scene 5] Mother showing pregnant lady a long list of food that are good and bad during pregnancy
[Props:Twoscrollswithpictureoffooddrawnonit]
[Narrator 2]Chinesecultureis fullofdietaryrestrictionsforpregnant womenwithalonglistoffoodsto
avoid, includinganythingtoointernallywarmingorcooling.Awomanwhowantsafairbabyisalsotold
to eat lightcoloured food and avoidsoysauceandcoffee.Squidisavoidedasitisbelievedtomakebirth
"sticky",orharder.

Eating a wellbalanced meal of meat and vegetables will produce a healthy baby. If you do not eat a
wellbalanced diet yourbaby will be apicky eater. Eggsaregoodto eat priorto pregnancy becausethe
Chinesebelieveithelpswithfertility.Eatingtofuandlettucecanhelpmakeamalechild.
6.Noattendingfunerals
[Narrator1]Weekslater,unfortunately,acloserelativeofherspassedaway.
[Scene 5] Pregnant lady wearing black from top to bottom [Slides: R.I.Psign][Sound effect:Raining
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgG4vDfcJek]
[Narrator 2] One Chinese pregnancy taboo is forbidding women from attendingfuneralsto supposedly
avoidexposuretonegativityandthepresenceofspirits.
[Narrator 1]Althoughsheknowsthatpregnantwomanisforbiddentoattendfunerals,however,knowing
thatthedeceasedishercloserelative,shemadeuphermindtoattendthefuneral.
[Scene6]Pregnantladywearingaredscarfaroundherbelly,andbringsalonga
(amulet)
[Narrator 2]Inthecasesheabsolutelymust,superstition saysshe may weararedscarfaroundherbelly
and amuletfor protection. Thecolourmustbered(colourofluck)andiswornaroundherbellytoprotect
theunbornchild.
7.Noattendingweddings
[Narrator 1] One morning, she received a wedding invitation from her friend. She then receives
permissionfromherfamilytoattendthewedding.
[Scene 7] Random people congratulating the couple, thenpregnantladyattendthe wedding [Apair of
coupleswearingred][Soundeffect:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbUv7tUwfSA]
[Narrator 2] It might make sense to avoid funerals, but why joyous occasions like weddings,too? The
Chinesebelievethatmixingtwohappyeventstogethercancreateaclashofjoy."
[Narrator 1] Before entering the weddinghall,she congratulatedthebrideand groom for their wedding
andwantedtoshaketheirhands.

[Scene8]

Pregnantladywantstoshakethebrideshand

[Narrator 2]If theyareallowedto attend they should on noaccountgonearor touchthebride.

Sinceno
one should upstage the bride, and the fetal gods guarding the pregnant woman may outrank those
protecting the bride,it issimplyconsidered badforthebridetocomein contact withapregnantwoman
onherspecialday.
8.Noallowingotherstotouchyourshoulder
[Narrator 1] After the wedding ceremony ends, the newly wed saw her and wanted to thank her for
coming.Theytaponhershouldertogetherattention.
[Scene9]Bridetaponpregnantladysshoulder
[Narrator 2] Chinese believe that our forehead and shoulders act as flames that canwardoff thebad
spirits. Therefore, because ones shoulders carry luck withthem,pregnantwomanshouldavoidgetting
their shoulder touch by others.
However, generallywhensomeonetaps you ontheshoulder,it isto get
yourattentionanditmaybeunavoidable.
9.Lookingatpicturesofcutebabies
[Narrator 1]Fewweeksbeforeshewasadmittedtothehospitalforbirth,shewentforastroll atthebeach
whilelookingatpicturesofcutebabies.
[Scene 10] Pregnant lady looking at cute baby photos [Slides: Pretty scenery] [Sound effect: waves/
birds]
[Narrator 2] Chinese pregnant women are encouragedto surround themselves ina beautiful setting and
gaze at pictures of adorable children. It is believed that doing so will result in beautiful children for
herself.
10.Nocursing
[Narrator 1]Asshe washavingastrollalongthebeach,abirdflies above herheadandpoopsonher.She
thencursedWHATTHEHELLoutloud.
[Scene 11] [Slides: Bird flying across and pooping on pregnant womans head] [Sound effect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3vyMssmy3w piakkkk] Pregnant woman cursing (hold some signs

which

contain

censored

profanities)

[Sound

effect:

BLEEP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0epAB3_aYA]
[Narrator 2]Apregnantwomanis alsosupposedtobehaveherselfandwatchhertongue. Evenifsheis
havingtheworst ofmoodswings, it is tabooforapregnantmothertocurse orswearasitisbelievedthat
shemightendupcursingherownchild.
AFTERBIRTH
[Narrator1]After9monthsofpregnancy,thebabywasborn.
1) Rice/BeansPillow
[Narrator 1]
Onthe daythatthemotherand thebabyare finallydischargedfromthehospital,themother
laysthebabyontopofapillowthatisfilledwithriceorbeans.
[Scene]Momputtingbeans/riceintoasmallbag/packetthenlaythebabyontopofit
[Narrator 2]New mothersmayfillababypillowwithriceorbeanstogivethe baby'sheada "proper"and
beautifulflatshapeontheback.
2) Goldenbells
[Narrator1]Shethentiesabraceletwithagoldenbellonherbabyswrist.
[Scene]Momtiesbellsonthebabywristsandankles
[Narrator2]Tyinggoldenbellsonthechildswristsorankleswillkeepawaybadspirits.
3) Babycryingcontinuously
[Narrator 1]Onthe samenight, the babywascryingcontinuously.Themotherthenplacedapomeloleaf
beneaththebabyscribmattress.
[Scene] [Sound effect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjkNNDuAb9A
] Mom placing a pomeloleaf
underaclothwiththebabyonit]
[Narrator 2] If the baby is crying continuously, itis believedthatthebaby is bothered by evilspirit.A
mothermayplaceasinglepomeloleafbeneaththecribmattresstofighttheevilspirits.

4) Praising
[Narrator1]Oncethebabystoppedcrying,themotherpraisedherbaby.
[Scene]Mompraisingthechild
[Mother]Goodbabyboy/girl.Youarethebestandcutestbabyintheworld!
[Narrator 2] Avoid praising a vulnerable newborn child
asthiswillattract the noticeof evil demonsor
ghosts.
5)Diet
[Narrator 1] During confinement, the mother was taken care by her motherinlaw as she is still weak
afterbirth.
[Scene]Motherinlawpreparesthefood.
[Narrator 2]
The bodyisexpectedtobea multitaskerimmediatelyafterbirthtoheal,toproduce natural
food, to be the comfort base for the newly born, and to function normally and stay alive.Dietforthe
month should focus on flushandcleanseoutthe dirtyblood,helphealthewoundsand supplementloss
ofqiandblood,andassistmilkproduction.
[Narrator 3] In traditional days, the mothers are advised not to eat salt. It creates extra water in your
organs.A chickena daykeepsthebody warm andwarmthisgoldforthemonth.Chicken,whichisnota
waterboundanimalthereforeiswarminnature,makesthebestandmosttrustedpostnataldishes.Brown
sugar, ginger, egg(fromchicken), etcarefavoredfoodsbecausetheyarewarminnature.Mothersshould
eatfoodsthatareredorbelievedtobebloodreplenishing,suchasblackdates,liver,innerorgans.
[Narrator 4]Inmoderndays,saltisfinebutjuststayonthelightside.Oilalsomustbeconsumedinsmall
amount. Avoid extraspicy or heavily flavored foods. Food such as inner organs, spinach and goji, is
abundantinironwillhelpreplenishbloodlossduringchildbirth.
6)Avoidcontactwithcoldthings.

[Narrator 1]One morning, themotherbrushesherteethandwashesherhairbeforesheheadsdowntothe

diningroomforbreakfast.

[Scene]Motherbrushesherteethandlaterwashesherhair.
[Narrator 2]
The process of childbirth opens up all joints and leaves the bodywithcracks.The

mother will get coldness in their system, e.g. aroundhead,betweenbones,joints,teeth,orunder

skin, feet, everywhere, which will cause all kinds of problems arthritis, asthma, rheumatism,
chronicaches,pains,lossofhair,teethandtheworstdeepregrets.
[Narrator 3] In traditional days, mothers onconfinementareadvisednottowashthemselvesand
their hair, and they are not allowed to brush their teeth. Also, they arenotallowedtodrink cold
water and eat certain vegetables. Besides, they should not stay in air conditioned rooms or go
outdoorinordertoinsulatetheirbodyfromanywindorcoldness.
[Narrator 4] In modern days, however, a woman who isonpostpartumrecoverywillheatupthe
bathroom nice and warm and later take a hot bath and relax. They brush their teeth so thatthey
smell clean and sweet. Besides, they enjoy vegetables and fruits so their bodies will feel
energizedandfunctionwell.
7)Avoidfatigueandburdentoyourbody
[Narrator 1] In the evening, the mother decides totakeawalkto the park.Laternight afterdinner,the
motherisboredanddecidestoreadabookwhilewatchingtv.
[Scene]Motherreadingabook.

[Narrator 2]
Childbirth is a huge labor. Every part of the mothers body goes through stress,
become fragile and now needs a good recovery. Any work means an over stretchonthealready
tired body and therefore causes stress, then aches and pains, even malfunction of the burdened
bodypart.


[Narrator 3] In the old days, a mother who is onpostpartumrecoveryarenotallowedto readorwatch
televisionbecause theyhave tolet their eyes rest.Besides, they shouldnot walkandmovearoundorsit
fortoolongastheirfeetshavetobegivenresttoo.
[Narrator 4] In modern days, mothers on confinement are encouragedto havelightwalkingand proper
exerciseto helphealing,aslongastheydonot overdoit.Also,theyoftenentertainthemselvesbyreading
booksor watchingtelevision,aslongasthey takea breakevery 30minutes torelievestressoneyesand
restwell.
5)Reddyedeggs
[Narrator1]After30daysfromthebabysbirth,thefamilycelebratesfortheirbabysfullmoon.
[Scene]Dadgiving onereddyedeggto friendsandfamily(boy)dadgivingtworeddyedeggtofriends
andfamily(girl)
[Narrator 2]Toannounce thebaby'sbirth, the newfatherwill givereddyedeggsasgiftsto friendsand
family,anoddnumberforaboyandanevennumberforagirl.
6)Redwrappedpresents
[Narrator1]Relatives/Friendsgivepresentswhicharewrappedinredwrappingpaper.
[Scene]Relativesandfriendsgivingpresentswrappedwithredwrappingpaper
[Narrator 2]A newbornbabyiscelebratedwhenheisamonthold,alsocalledthefull moon.Relatives
and friends will give presents such as baby apparels or toys. These presents are wrapped with red
wrapping paper.The colourred is associated withluckandhappiness, andthe roundshapeof the eggs
symbolisesharmony,unityandnewlife.
7)ShavingHair
[Narrator1]Duringfullmoon,themotherbroughtthebabytothebarberandgethis/herhairshaved.
[Scene]Barbershavingthebabyshair

[Narrator 2]Chinesewillshave thebabyshairbecausetheyperceivethatthehairisonlytemporaryhair.

Ithas tobeshaved inorderforthenew hairto grow.Thiscustom representsthebirth ofanewpersonto
the world.
During full moon, babies will be given their first hair cut. Traditionally the babys head is
shaved, leaving the hair atthetopofthe crown,toremovethebirthhair,whichisthoughttoleadtoafull
andthickheadofhairgrowinginitsplace.
[Narrator 1] After the babys head is shaved, the mother requested the hair from thebarber tobringit
backhome.Whentheyreachedbackhome,themotherusedaredribbontotiethelock ofhair andkeepit
inabox.
[Scene]Mothertookbackthe hairfromthe barber andtiedthelockofhairwitharedribbonandkeptit
inabox.
[Narrator 2] A lock of hair from a baby's first haircut should be kept and tiedupwitha redribbon to
symbolizeluck.

Conclusion
One relatively new trend is staying at a confinement centre for one month. The lack of space, the
difficulty infinding goodandtrustedhelportheunwillingnesstohaveastrangertostayamonthintheir
homes has made choosing a confinement centre the most obvious and sensible choice for many new
mothers. These facilities offera completepackagewherea motherandherbabysneeds arefullytaken
careof.

Modern confinement practices emphasise rest

(Theconfinementladieshere areveryexperiencedand
look after my baby day and night, so I can get afull nightsrest, saidSeto.) , a balanced, nutritious

diet
(breastfeedsuccessfullyandalsopreventpostnataldepression)
andgoodhygiene.
http://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/family/features/2011/06/01/newconfinementpracticesamongthec
hinese/
(<<<gotpeoplesopinion,maybewecantaketheSeto?ifweneedpeoplesopinion)
ConfinementCentre
http://www.moms2b.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=26