A sweet sixteen is a coming-of-age party[1] celebrating a person's 16th birthday, mainly celebrated in some parts of the United States and Canada.

While traditionally it is common that sweet sixteens are mostly celebrated by girls, they can also be celebrated by boys.

Traditions

Shoe ceremony

For girls, the shoe ceremony is common at Quinceañeras parties. In this ceremony, the birthday girl sits down in a chair while her father, grandfather, Godfather, Uncle, or brother approaches her, carrying a decorative pillow with high heels on top. The girl would traditionally be wearing flat shoes, such as slippers, and the father ceremoniously helps her into her new high heels. This is symbolic of the girl transitioning into a woman.[2]

Tiara ceremony

The tiara ceremony is similar to the shoe ceremony, except the mother or a strong female figure approaches with a tiara instead of shoes and places it on her daughter's head to symbolize her becoming a woman. Sometimes this is combined with the shoe ceremony so that two people approach the birthday girl, one with a pillow with high heels, and the other with a pillow with a tiara.[2]

Candle-lighting ceremony

This tradition is most common in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceaneras and sweet sixteens, although in different ages. There are typically 16 candles, each of which are given to special family members and friends by the birthday girl.[3] Usually, when the recipient of the candle is named, a few words are said by the birthday girl in regards to why this person (or people) is special to them, they may tell a short story or fun memory they have shared with that person. The birthday girl can decide to give her candles to whomever she chooses.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ames, Lynn (4 January 1978). "Sweet Sixteen: A Rite That Persists". New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 "What is Sweet Sixteen and How to celebrate it?". Cher. 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  3. ↑ "Sweet Sixteen Candle Lighting Ceremony in the BEGINNING or END?". Luminique Events Group. 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  4. ↑ March 29, Staff WriterLast Updated (4 August 2015). "What Is the Sweet 16 Candle Ceremony?". Reference.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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