Ashley 收涎 (Ashley's shousian ceremony)

In Taiwan, when a baby is four months old, a traditional ceremony called “Shou-sian”(to dry up the saliva, to grow up) is held to celebrate the baby’s health and wellbeing. Family members and friends congratulate the baby by saying lucky phrases, wishing her a wonderful life in the future. Parents prepare cookies with holes in center, linked with a red string and place around the baby’s neck. Two senior family members start with each taking a cookie off the string and send up best wishes for the baby. Other family members and friends follow.

Lucky phrases example (always start with 收涎/shou-sian, or Chiu-nua, in Taiwanese)

收涎～吉祥話(Spoken in Taiwanese dialect)

收涎收乾乾，乎你卡緊叫阿爸 收涎收灕灕，乎你大漢好脾氣

Dry up your saliva, so you will call Daddy soon

Dry up your saliva, so you will be a good person

收涎收乾乾，乎你卡緊叫媽

收涎收灕灕，乎你大漢好搖七

Dry up your saliva, so you will call Mummy soon

Dry up your saliva, and listen to your parents

收涎收乾乾，乎你大事小事都不必怕

收涎收灕灕，乎你聽話懂代誌

Dry up your saliva, so you will be a brave one

Dry up your saliva, and know what’s right and wrong

收涎收乾乾，乎你長大做大官

收涎收灕灕，乎你長大勞賺錢

Dry up your saliva, and be a respected person

Dry up your saliva, and you can stand up on your feet soon

收涎收乾乾，乎你聽到打雷不必怕

收涎收灕灕，乎你身體真勇健

Dry up your saliva, so you won’t be afraid when there is a storm

Dry up your saliva, and have good health and a strong body

收涎收乾乾，乎你讀冊認真不懶惰

收涎收灕灕，乎你事事都如意

Dry up your saliva, so you will learn hard

Dry up your saliva, and all your wishes will come true