Shichi-Go-San (literally "Seven-Five-Three") is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated annually on November 15th to mark the growth and well-being of young children. The ages are significant in East Asian numerology: girls aged three and seven, and boys aged three and five, are celebrated. During this time, families dress their children in beautiful, formal kimonos or hakama and visit Shinto shrines to pray for a healthy and prosperous future. One of the most iconic elements of the day is Chitose Ame ("Thousand Year Candy"), a long, thin, red and white candy given to children in bags decorated with cranes and turtles, symbols of longevity. While the official day is the 15th, many families celebrate on the nearest weekend in November to accommodate work schedules. It is a major milestone in a Japanese child's life, often accompanied by professional photography sessions to capture the rare sight of the children in such elaborate traditional attire.