The “Golden, Emerald Birthday” meme is a delightful blend of birthday trends -namely Golden, Emerald, Diamond, and Clown birthdays- trending on social media platforms, particularly on TikTok. To decode its origin and meaning, we need to dive into the whimsical world of special birthdays and the viral culture surrounding them.
Origin
This TikTok trend exploded in popularity around August 2024, but the concept of these unique birthdays has been around for ages. The Golden Birthday was famously conceived by American entrepreneur and author Joan Bramsch in the 1950s. She created this idea to make her five kids’ birthdays extra special, proving that even back then, parents were looking for ways to jazz up birthday celebrations!
What are these birthdays?
A "Golden Birthday" is celebrated when your age matches the date of your birth. For instance, if your birthday is on the 25th and you turn 25, you’ve found birthday gold! This idea has been around for some time but has recently gained traction as people seek unique ways to mark their special days.
"turning 14th on 14"
"She realised it too late"
An "Emerald Birthday" is when your age matches your birth month. For example, if you were born in May, turning five in that month is your Emerald Birthday. However, this celebration is short-lived since it can only happen until you reach 12.
"can't believe I missed my Golden & Diamond Birthdays"
"He is on a roll"
A "Diamond Birthday" elevates the excitement. This special occasion happens when the last two digits of your birth year match your age. For instance, if you were born in 1994, you’d celebrate your Diamond Birthday at age 94—a long wait indeed! It’s akin to waiting for a rare Pokémon to show up; you might have to live through several decades before it finally arrives.
"realizing I'll be old and wrinkly when my diamond birthday comes"
"Cat celebrates her diamond birthday"
A "Crown Birthday" is the most elusive of them all. This birthday combines aspects of both Golden and Diamond Birthdays: your age, birth date, and birth year must all align perfectly. For example, if you were born on October 21, 2001, turning 21 on October 21, 2021 would be your Crown Birthday. It’s like winning the birthday lottery!
"I'll bet you don't know what a crown birthday is."
Other Birthdays
If you’re feeling a bit envious of all these fabulous birthday milestones because you were born in the 2000s and can’t even remember your first cake, fear not! Enter the "Double Golden Birthday!" This is when your age matches the day of the month you were born, but with a twist: you get to double the fun! So, if you were born on the 25th and you’re turning 50, congratulations!
A "Platinum Birthday" is a quirky celebration that happens when you hit the age corresponding to the day of the month you were born—but here’s the kicker: it’s flipped! So, if you popped into the world on the 12th, your Platinum Birthday would be when you turn 21.
Trending
The surge of these birthday memes can be credited to TikTok users who have wholeheartedly embraced these ideas—complete with plenty of confetti. Videos highlighting these birthdays often feature extravagant celebrations or humorous takes on preparing for them.
Each distinctive birthday presents an opportunity for laughter and celebration. So, whether you’re preparing for your upcoming Golden or reminiscing about a long-gone Emerald Birthday, keep in mind: every year is another chance to celebrate like it’s your Crown Birthday!
Reply
