Introducing your baby’s first birthday with joy, tradition, and intention—our First Bless photoshoot includes grab ceremony (Zhuazhou) Photoshoot and few other blessing rituals like crossing wisdom door, red egg basket , prosperity plate etc. Its more than just pictures; it’s a modern take on ancient blessings, designed through play and captured with heart.
What Is the Zhuazhou “Grab Ceremony”?
Zhuazhou (抓周), literally meaning “first anniversary pick,” is an ancient Chinese tradition dating back to the Song Dynasty. On a baby’s first birthday, a variety of symbolic objects are placed in front of the child—books for wisdom, abacuses for business acumen etc. Whichever item your little one reaches for first is playfully said to hint at their future path and innate qualities.
This tradition echoes across cultures—even in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam—celebrating hope, identity, and family legacy.
How Tinytodds Celebrates the Grab Ceremony Playfully
At Tinytodds, we merge cultural depth with childlike joy:
- Interactive, themed setups that let your baby move, grab, and express—all in a joyful studio play-space.
- Structured but flexible: We begin with pre-cue prompts, then let your little explorer freely choose objects—capturing genuine expressions every step of the way.
- Expert guidance: Our team gently introduces the ceremony, explains each item’s symbolism, and records each pick lovingly.
Instead of a staged snapshot, it becomes a playful adventure—clothed in tradition, delivered through laughter.
Zhua Zhou Items & Their Meanings
Here is a list of common Zhuazhou items and their symbolic meanings:
| Item | Meaning / Future Prediction |
| Microphone | Symbolizes voice, influence, and public connection. A child drawn to the microphone may have a future in singing, performing, speaking, or media, inspiring others through vocal presence and charisma. |
| Ruler | Stands for precision, structure, and craftsmanship. A focus on the ruler may predict strengths in engineering, architecture, carpentry, or interior design, indicating a meticulous and skillful mindset. |
| Laptop | Represents digital fluency, tech innovation, and data-driven thinking. A child choosing the laptop may excel in fields like IT, software development, data science, or tech entrepreneurship. |
| Ball | Symbolizes physical vitality, competition, and sportsmanship. Picking the ball suggests future qualities like athleticism and teamwork—ideal for careers as an athlete, coach, sports scientist, or personal trainer. |
| Globe | Evokes global curiosity, exploration, and international outlook. Choosing the globe suggests a future in piloting, diplomacy, international business, or travel-influenced storytelling, reflecting worldly ambition. |
| Bun | Symbolizes nurturing, hospitality, and culinary passion. If chosen, this could indicate a path as a chef, restaurateur, or food influencer, embodying warmth and creativity. leadtochina.comchinastory.cn |
| Ingot | Represents wealth, prosperity, and financial abundance. Picking the ingot is a wish for a future in finance or entrepreneurship, blessed with success and prudent prosperity. |
| Magnifying Glass | Symbolizes curiosity, research, and analytic insight. A baby choosing this item might grow into a scientist, detective, researcher, or investigative journalist, guided by a thirst for discovery. |
| Puzzle Blocks | Stand for logic, strategy, and creative problem-solving. Grabbing them may hint at strengths in engineering, software development, mathematics, or architecture, showcasing strategic thinking. |
| Gavel | Represents justice, fairness, and legal acumen. If your child picks the gavel, it’s traditionally thought to point toward a future in the legal field—perhaps as a lawyer, judge, or legal advisor, embodying integrity and authority. |
| Colour Palette | Symbolizes artistic creativity, design skills, and visual expression. A baby choosing the palette may be destined for a path involving artists, designers, architects, illustrators, or stylists, reflecting imagination and aesthetic talent. |
| Book | A timeless emblem of knowledge, scholarship, and education. Choosing the book suggests future strengths in academic success, literature, or research—perhaps becoming a scholar, professor, writer, or teacher. |
| Calligraphy Brush | Part of China’s scholarly arts, this item evokes culture, wisdom, and eloquent expression. If picked, it hints the child may flourish in fields like writing, art, journalism, philosophy, or history, guided by tradition and creativity. |
| Camera | Stands for storytelling, media influence, and creative vision. A baby drawn to this item may grow up as a photographer, filmmaker, journalist, or digital influencer, using visual mediums to inspire others. |
| Abacus | A traditional tool symbolizing mathematical intelligence, business savvy, and financial wisdom. Reaching for the abacus suggests future success as an entrepreneur, accountant, banker, economist, or business leader. Its inclusion in many Zhua Zhou setups highlights analytical skill and legacy wisdom. |
| Stethoscope | Symbolic of caregiving, healing, and medical science. If selected, it’s a gentle blessing that the child may grow into a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or medical researcher, dedicated to wellness and compassion. Wikipediachinastory.cn |
| Seal | Represents authority, leadership, and official power. Picking this item signals aspirations toward roles such as government official, judge, lawyer, or corporate executive, rooted in a sense of responsibility and gravitas. |
🏆 Why Families Love It Here at Tinytodds
✔️ Ritual Meets
Play We believe traditions should never feel forced. Our “Photoshoots through Play” philosophy ensures the ceremony stays gentle, fun, and emotionally rich—never sti or scripted.
✔️ Comfort Meets Culture
Our studio is fully carpeted, sanitized daily, and equipped with baby tubs, a comfortable baby bathroom, and fast clean-up facilities. Wrapping a meaningful ceremony in a bubble of comfort.
✔️ Symbolic Themes, Beautiful Imagery
Our First Bless Photoshoot isn’t just about the classic baby grabbing an object—it’s a rich, immersive celebration of heritage, culture, and heartfelt wishes for your child’s future. Beyond the beloved Grab Ceremony (抓周), your session includes beautiful traditions like crawling through the Wisdom Door (聪明门) which signify blessing of wisdom for baby, baby playing with red eggs in the Red Egg Basket (红鸡蛋) symbolising immersing in good luck, and exploring the Prosperity Plate (五福盘). Each element is thoughtfully chosen to bless your little one with intelligence, health, luck, longevity, and prosperity.
From symbolism to stunning imagery, this custom session captures the warmth, meaning, and joyous energy of each ritual—creating timeless family memories that honor heritage while celebrating play and exploration.
✔️ Trusted Experience
Over 11,000 happy families since 2017, with features on CNA, Channel 8, U‑Weekly, TheSmartLocal, and Canon Magazine, Tinytodds has perfected a blend of cultural authenticity and award-winning photography.
First Bless Package Options
| Package | Price |
| Family Theme + First Bless Shoot | $478 |
| Baby Theme + First Bless Shoot | $578 |
👉 Each package includes the full Zhuazhou ceremony and beautifully edited memories, all claimable via LifeSG Child Credit.
Why It Work: Heartfelt, Playful & Hopeful
Our First Bless shoot isn’t just a photoshoot—it’s a moment of heartfelt blessing, captured with authenticity. Your child’s grin, a curious gaze, or playful grab is more than a picture—it’s family heritage in motion.
Ready to Bless, Capture & Celebrate?
Book now to bring together tradition and joy in a photoshoot that’s both meaningful and delightful. Let us help create a legacy snapshot your family will cherish forever.
Visit https://www.tinytodds.sg/ or WhatsApp us to start your First Bless journey today!