In areas where people worship sheep, it is popular to make "floury sheep" bread. In Hebei and Shanxi area, it is two sheep sharing a common head; or sheep head with fish tail; implying the unity of yin-yang; or a herd of three she
ep to mark a new beginning of life. Each year, the "Sheep Day" festival in Hebei Ci County at the end of wheat harvest season draws large crowds. Relatives trom the maternal family make big baskets of "floury sheep" bread for their daughter's babies. Those who live far away come on bikes or tractors. A large herd of floury sheep
are displayed in front of the baby. The presentation usually includes a big round wanton jujubes sandwich bread in the center, symbolizing the universe, surrounded by a paired sheep with one head (yin-yang sheep) and a huge herd of baby sheep. The first three years after the baby is born are given big sheep, second and third year are large-to-medium and medium in size, and the subsequent years will be small sheep until he/she gets married.
