szülinap

Szülinap, commonly known in English as a birthday, is a traditional celebration marking the anniversary of a person's birth. The term originates from Hungarian, where "születés" means "birth" and "nap" means "day." Birthdays are widely observed across cultures, though customs and significance vary.

In many cultures, birthdays are celebrated with gatherings of family and friends, often featuring cake, gifts, and music. The number of candles on the birthday cake typically corresponds to the person's age, and a common tradition involves making a wish before blowing them out. In some societies, birthdays hold religious or spiritual significance, such as in the Christian tradition where January 1 is celebrated as the Feast of the Circumcision, marking Jesus' birth anniversary.

Hungarian birthday customs include singing the song "Születésnapot köszönöm" ("Happy Birthday"), which is a Hungarian adaptation of the English "Happy Birthday to You." In some regions, children may receive a small gift or treat, while adults might exchange more substantial presents. The date of a person's birthday is often recorded in official documents, such as passports or identification cards, and is an important detail in personal and legal contexts.

Birthdays are also an opportunity for reflection, as people may look back on the past year and set goals for the future. In modern times, digital celebrations—such as online greetings or virtual parties—have become increasingly common, especially during times when in-person gatherings are limited. Despite variations in how they are observed, birthdays remain a universal way to honor the passage of time and the individual's place within it.