john18

Hi!

I've stumbled across some articles about Chinese and Japanese zodiac signs. Apparantely their 60's birthday is very important to them. After 60 years you have gone through a full cycle of zodiac signs and you are once again in the same zodiac sign and element that you where born under.

"Traditionally, friends and relatives are invited for a celebratory feast on one's 60th birthday. It is customary for the celebrant to be given a red hood and wear a red vest. These clothes are usually worn by babies and thus symbolize the celebrant's return to his birth."

I find this quite interesting. Do we have anything similar in our Western culture? What would be our Cycle of Life?

/John

violet

john18

That is true. But the I find the idea of being reborn interesting. I believe that over there this is a tradition that all follows. I wonder how that could transform into our culture. Being reborn and a second chance to find god if you haven't already.

And for people already believes they might find new aspects of their faith.

Boanerges

We get to be born again if we accept Christ- nothing to do with that Oriental custom though.

carolinasteve

First of all, how does wearing a red hood and vest transform a person. The only transformation that can come from a symbolic gesture, is a symbolic transformation. Any new outlook on life generated by this ceremony is purely a human psychological manifestation, and therefore not only is it very temporary, it is inherently limited by that persons own ideas of what life is about. Hardly a true "transformation" in my opinion.

The only truly transforming rebirth is that which is offered by Christ, being reborn in the spirit. We all are given opportunity to find God and experience this rebirth every second we are alive. No man made ceremony at a specific point in life will ever change or renew the spirit that dwells inside the body.

By the way, we already have the equivalent to this Chinese custom, only in western society, everyone celebrates it at 00:00:00 o'clock on January first of every year. Must don't wear red hoods or vests, but glittery top hats and beer goggles are very popular at the ceremonious gatherings.
God bless you.
-Steve

Boanerges

Just a thought: Perhaps the were refering to the circle of life from the Lion King!!!LOL!!!!

carolinasteve

Isn't one of the stages in that circle being eaten by another at their own stage? I think I'll pass.

Jax

Zodiacs, re-incarnation, and all such other similar things are of the occult, they have no place in a bleivers life.
I sincerely think that if you are interested in them, you need to examine your heart and ask why?
The Lord strictly warns us to steer clear of anything like this.
God is the only one who knows the future, He sometimes reveals something through a word of knowledge, and we are only born once physically, although we can be born again spiritually if we believe in the Lord and receive salvation from Him.

Boanerges

Amen.