What's the significance of being 66 years old in Northeast China?
There is a traditional folk custom circulating in the northeast of China. 66 years old is a hurdle for the elderly, so the birthday of 66 years old must be celebrated on the sixth day of the first month. As the folk proverb says, "At the age of sixty-six, Yan Xi will eat meat from the king. At the age of sixty-six, even if he dies, he will lose a piece of meat". On the 66th birthday of the elderly in Northeast China, the younger generation (preferably the daughter) will pack 66 jiaozi with 6 sides and 6 pieces of meat for them (generally try to make them smaller). If they can finish eating in one day, it indicates that this "hurdle" can be safely spent and the elderly can live a long and healthy life in the future.