Q: Dear Uncle Wang,

Why do Chinese babies have their heads shaved one month after they are born and why is a baby's one month birthday such a big deal for Chinese parents?

A: It is Chinese culture to shave babies' hair off once they reach a month old.

There are a couple of explanations for this long-held tradition.

First of all, older Chinese people believe that shaving the baby's head will help the hair grow back thicker.

Although there is no scientific proof, Chinese grannies swear that it works.

The original tradition of shaving a baby's hair is to remove the hair that was grown in the womb.

All of the hair is shaved, except at the top of the crown of the baby's head.

The more superstitious Chinese believe that spirits reside at the top of the human head and the patch of hair at the top of the head will protect the baby's soul from leaving the body and will ward off evil spirits.

After the baby's first haircut, both the mother and the baby must take a bath with pomelo leaves in order to wash away evil spirits.

Then, the cut hair is tied with a red string and stored as a keepsake.

The hair can also be sewn into a pillow, which is believed to keep the baby calm, or be made into a special calligraphy brush and kept as a souvenir for the baby.

Sometimes the baby's first haircut celebration is also part of the baby's first month celebration.

Parents of the baby will hold a party and invite their relatives and friends to give their blessings and gifts to the child.

A baby's one month celebration also coincides with the end of the mother's one month confinement period after giving birth.

Traditionally, this is the time to reintroduce the mother to the world after resting indoors for 30 days.

The one month celebration has its origins in ancient culture.

Infant mortality rates were high before medical advances were made in the 20th century.

Reaching one month old meant that the baby was very likely to survive and it was a cause for a big celebration for the parents.

Today, the practice of shaving baby's head is not that common.

Many families will trim their baby's head instead of shaving it completely, to symbolize the shedding of the "womb hair" and to continue their ancestors' tradition.

Regardless of the reasons, many Chinese parents just believe that shaving a baby's head is something that they should do.

Please send your cultural questions about China to twocents-sh@globaltimes.com.cn