What is the custom of catching Tuesday?

Grasping Tuesday is the time when old Beijingers put books, pens, candy, money, toys, abacus, official hats, combs and other items at home, so that children can grab whatever they want, and judge their career and life goals by the items they catch first.

Influenced by ancient divination, this custom has been circulating among the people for a long time.

Song and Wu's "Dream" contains: nave brocade banquet, burning incense and holding candles, eating and drinking fruits, parents' letters, gold and silver seven treasures toys, learning books, Taoist scriptures, scales, scissors, colored satin flowers, official money, and needlework for female workers.

In the late Qing Dynasty, this custom of grasping Tuesdays was very popular among the people in old Beijing. Although I didn't catch the full moon on Tuesday, my relatives and friends would go to congratulate me. Generally, newcomers don't give big gifts, just buy some cakes, food or toys for their children. However, everyone who is the child's elder should give some gifts.

The ceremony of catching Tuesday is usually held before eating longevity noodles at noon. Rich people who pay attention to some things should set up a big box in front of the bed (kang) and put seals, scriptures, pens, abacus, coins, account books, jewelry, flowers, rouge, food, toys and so on. If girls catch Tuesdays, they should also put shovels, spoons, scissors, rulers, embroidery threads, patterns and so on.

Ordinary people are limited by economic conditions; To simplify it a little, just use a copper tea tray, put a three-character sutra or a hundred surnames, a writing brush, an abacus, candy, a shovel, scissors and embroidery thread for girls. After the things are set, adults will bring the child over and help him sit up, leaving him to choose for himself without any guidance.

Then predict his interest, future and career according to what to grasp first and then what to grasp. The son catches the seal first, then the official; Grasp stationery first and succeed in school; If children master abacus first, they are good at doing business; If the child catches food and toys first, it will not be interpreted as delicious and fun, but the child will have a good time when he grows up.

In fact, grasping Tuesday is only a spiritual sustenance of the elders for their children's future, and it is only a social interaction activity when the children are one year old. There is no scientific basis.