In ancient times, all kinds of customs and etiquette were cumbersome and complicated, and a person had to go through various forms of etiquette to commemorate each stage of his experience from birth to death, and "having a child" was one of the more important ones in all kinds of etiquette.

Having children and passing on the family lineage is a deep-rooted concept of people, and the folk regard "no queen" as the first of "unfilial piety". Therefore, the folk regard the "birth ceremony" of the baby as an extremely important thing, and have formed many related taboos and customs. From the birth of a baby to the first year of life, ceremonial activities are frequent and varied. The people are still like this, let alone the great Sima Guan Yan of the dynasty?

The first ritual after the birth of the baby is the "good news", this custom, in later generations has also been preserved, nothing more than to take the red egg to the relatives and friends to report the good news, of course, the items brought are also different because of different regions, Guan Yan anyway listened to the guidance of others, drove a carriage, starting from Cai Yong's house, the whole day in Luoyang City, only to notify the friends in the court, back home, Guan Yan suddenly thought of something, felt funny, a person in the study for a long time, when others inquired, Guan Yan called the guard, He was ordered to bring happy eggs and gifts to Chen Liucao Cao to report the good news, and invited him to participate in Guan Zhao's full moon ceremony later in January.

Guan Yan thought that he had been busy in the past two days, and he should have eaten full moon wine, but he didn't know that there was also this lost but indeed the most distinctive "washing three" etiquette in the birth ceremony. "Baptism" is to wash the body of a newborn on the third day of life, which is the first baptism the baby receives.

It may seem like taking a shower, but it's a complicated process. First of all, hang the "unicorn sending the child picture" in Cai Yan's room, Cai Yan first put a red chicken in front of the bed, and then burn incense and pray, which is called "worshipping the bed male and the mother"; By preparing the water for "washing three", this water is not ordinary water, but is boiled with Chinese herbs such as locust branches, mugwort leaves, and Sichuan pepper, and red eggs and gold and silver ornaments are often placed in the bathtub to show good luck. Half of the "washing three" is carried out by the baby's grandmother, but Guan Yan has no father and no mother, this work is handed over to the midwife to carry out, the midwife knows that Guan Yan's identity is outstanding, the last delivery was rewarded with three golden beans, today specially to "wash three" that is estimated to have a reward, thinking of this, the midwife smiled and carefully put Guan Zhao into the bathtub, while washing his body, while chanting: "Wash your hair, be a prince; Wash your waist, one generation is higher than the other......"

This was originally a conventional term for "washing three", but when it was read here, Guan Yan's subordinates who were watching the ceremony showed anticipation on their faces, while Huangfu Song and other old ministers couldn't help frowning.

Guan Yan felt that it didn't matter, when he heard the midwife finally read, "Wash the eggs and be the magistrate; Wash the ditch and do Zhizhou. Guan Yan laughed. After rewarding ten more golden beans, the midwife's mouth was already smiling, and she was busy thanking her and withdrew.

Relatives and friends who came to congratulate also said some auspicious greetings, and put the fruits, gold and silver ornaments brought as gifts into the basin, which is called "adding a basin". Guan Yan's identity invited the guests and friends are naturally not rich or expensive, although everyone is symbolically throwing a little bit, but it can't stand the crowd, after a while, the water in the bathtub has overflowed, Cai Yan hurriedly picked up Guan Zhao, who was dancing, and the "basin" ended early.

Next, Guan Yan carefully hugged Guan Zhao, and the midwife gently wiped Guan Zhao's forehead with wormwood balls, which was said to have the effect of avoiding scabies; Then rub the child's whole body with gold and silver jewelry, which is said to ward off evil and calm the panic. Guan Zhao was first uncomfortable with wormwood rubbing his forehead, scratching his hands and kicking his feet in protest, and later when rubbing his body with gold and silver, Guan Zhao could only cry loudly to vent his dissatisfaction. Guan Zhao cried, Guan Yan didn't know what to do, and hurriedly handed it to Cai Yan, Cai Yan glanced at Guan Yan, took Guan Zhao, patted and comforted, and comforted each other, with his mother's embrace and comfort, Guan Yan's crying gradually stopped, and his big eyes were full of tears and he blinked at the world around him that was extremely fresh to him.

stopped crying, Cai Yan put on a carefully prepared small coat and hat for Guan Zhao, and the midwife brought a weighing stone made of pure gold and gently pressed it on Guan Zhao's body, which was called "pressing a thousand catties", symbolizing that the child can take on heavy responsibilities when he grows up. Then the body is lightly beaten with shallots, which is said to make him smart and clever in the future. Guan Zhao was blocked by clothes, and the midwife pressed and patted on him and thought he was playing, Guan Zhao grinned, his eyes narrowed into a slit, and he giggled, which was very pleasing, and everyone on the side saw that Guan Zhao was cute, and they also laughed.

The last step is to symbolically lock the child's hands and feet with a lock, which means that he can be cautious in his words and deeds in the future.

In this era, the poor family used the lock at home to make a gesture on the hands and feet of the child in the birth ceremony; A slightly richer family is made of silver and copper, and the pocket lock is hung on the child's hands and feet, which has a meaning and can also be used as an ornament; As Guan Yan's identity, he naturally uses gold, and the golden lock should be prepared by the child's grandfather, so this matter naturally fell to Cai Yong, Cai Yong carefully took out the golden lock that had been prepared long ago from his arms, and teased the little grandson with a smile on his face, while putting gold locks on his hands and feet.

In this way, it can be regarded as the "washing three" ceremony.

Diao Chan, which is about to give birth in less than two months, is still active, and this will also be watching this Guan Zhao's "washing three" etiquette with a happy face.

"Chan'er, study hard, it's still two months before you!" Guan Yan stood behind Diao Chan and whispered in his ear.

Diao Chan was startled at first, and with a shy face: "The concubine knows." At this time, a trace of sadness appeared on Diao Chan's face: "Husband, if it's a girl......"

In this era, the concept of male superiority and inferiority of women has become the prevailing atmosphere of the whole society, and most areas are happy to give birth to men, and not to be silent when they give birth to girls; After giving birth to a boy, he would send lanterns to the ancestral ancestral hall during the Lantern Festival in the following year to show his success. If a girl is born, it is only counted as adding a mouth, not adding a ding, and not raising a lantern, which shows the difference between men and women.

But Guan Yan from the future doesn't have this kind of idea, the equality of men and women is the concept propagated by the future society, and from Guan Yan's own character, he prefers to have a daughter, who can dress up beautifully, and pamper like a little princess.

Hearing Diao Chan's words, Guan Yan said disapprerovitically: "My daughter is also my Guan Yan's daughter, what is the etiquette for boys, and what is the etiquette for girls!" Chan'er, don't think about it, it's good to be healthy and recuperate! ”

"Yes, husband." Diao Chan wanted to salute, but was supported by Guan Yan early, Diao Chan's eyes were like silk, with this husband, although he died, he had no regrets!