The 100 Club

A couple of months before the baby arrived, I visited an elementary school as part of my job. I arrived at the classroom a little early, and while waiting in the hallway, I started studying posters made by the 2nd graders. The students had told their life stories in a scrapbook format using a combination of photos, documents, and captions.

One particular child's poster caught my eye. In particular I was struck by the photo of this girl as an infant wearing a fancy white dress. The caption read: me, one hundred days old.

When my colleague and I entered the classroom, I found the girl quickly enough. An hour later as the lesson ended, I struck up a conversation. I asked her if the 100th day had a special meaning in her family. No, she stated flatly. I just happened to be 100 days old when the photo was taken.

The conversation ended just like that.

At the time, though, I made a mental note to mark the day Pearl turned 100. As it happened, she and Marcia were out of town then. But I am still wondering about the 100 day birthday. If you happen to know of a culture or tradition that celebrates this milestone, please add your comment below.

Comments

[shannon]

Apparently, Korean kids celebrate their birthdays when they're 100 days old and then again at a year old.

Also, in Japan, babies becoming 100 days old is celebrated with a ceremony called Okuizome. (http://blog.kung-foo.tv/archives/000066.php)

Panda bears aren't named until they're 100 days old.

*info. courtesy of google.com.

[citymama]

I'm half-Korean and yes, Koreans celebrate the 100 day milestone. (We didn't because we're not that traditional but now I wish we had!)

I started taking pictures of my gal on every month "birthday" of her in the same chair. It's funny to see the progression from sleepy peanut to shlumpy baby to baby that won't sit in the chair for a picture anymore.

[badgerbag]

Moomin had a 100-day ceremony. He is 1/4 Korean. I can't remember the name of it but I'll come back later when I can ask Rook. You have a dinner with family and friends and dress the kid in a funny little hat. right around this time, their hand control has developed enough so that they can reach somewhat incompetently but with definite intentionality, and grab anything their hands brush against. So the idea is that you arrange a bunch of symbolic objects for them and they reach out and choose your fate. Traditional: string (long life) coin or bill (wealth) pen (scholar) book (um,...? other scholar?) etc.. We used a computer mouse for compu-geekhood and a mutant-looking toy animal for science. He chose the mouse.

[Stacy]

First Presidencies? (Cue Tom Brokaw's voiceover: "The First Hundred Days"...and I think Pearl has outperformed all of them...)

[diane]

My father is a clock collector and, of course, is fascinated my time. One day a HUGE bouquet showed up at my office out of the blue. The card said "Happy 10,00th day. Love, Dad." It was such a wonderful gift.

[Joanne]

Definately 100 days is big in the Korean culture. Not only great rice treats but special family time celebrating the babies life. My Korean colleagues say that it was a way to celebrate the baby was alive and well - if you could make it the first 100 days you might survive for a long life. The first 21 days are also important - no outside guests are allowed until then. In prior times in Korean culture You also didn't name the baby until much later. You call the baby a nickname for a while.
It was great to see you and get to meet Pearl for the first time. You are in my thoughts for this Friday.

[Adriaan]

100 days of age is a special day in Japan as well, but I see my page is already linked here in the prvevious comment ;)