Zhuazhou is the Chinese first-birthday ritual in which a child chooses objects symbolizing a possible future career.
The custom is generally performed when a child reaches one year of age. Family members place several objects before the child, and the item selected is interpreted playfully as a sign of future interests or abilities. Traditional objects can include a brush, ink, abacus, book, or other tools associated with scholarship, commerce, or a profession.
The ritual is a form of family entertainment and blessing rather than a reliable prediction. Modern families may add contemporary objects such as a stethoscope, computer mouse, or camera. The exact set of objects varies by region, household, and historical period.
Zhuazhou should not be confused with the red egg and ginger party, which marks a baby’s first month, or baek-il, the Korean 100th-day celebration.