Godfather is the common name for adoptive father.
The adoptive father is commonly known as the godfather. From the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the phenomenon of "adopted father and son" began to appear. "Qian" means Shangqi, which refers to relatives who are not related by blood or marriage, but recognized by relatives. In the old custom, a father-son relationship was established through a certain ceremony.
"Blessing the adoptive father" is to recognize the adoptive father and adoptive mother. It is a popular childcare custom across the country. In the north, it is called "recognizing the godfather and godmother"; in the south, it is called "recognizing the foster father and foster mother", commonly known as "paying homage to the godfather and the godmother". Nowadays, it is often misinterpreted as a relationship formed by relying on some abnormal transactions, and it is mostly derogatory.
Extended information:
Customs in various places
1. Beijing
In Beijing, people generally believe that if you recognize your godfather, your godmother will be kind to you. The biological fathers and biological mothers are not in a good position to have their own children, so they are not close relatives and friends. People generally do not dare to ask them to be their children's godfathers or godmothers; and to worship godfathers, both parties must give each other gifts and hold banquets.
From now on, every year on three occasions and two birthdays, the godson’s and goddaughter’s families will give gifts to their godfather and godmother, and the godfather and godmother will also give gifts in return. Therefore, even if you don’t come from a wealthy family, it’s difficult to Social.
2. Henan and Shaanxi
In some places in Henan and Shaanxi, "blessing relatives" is completed by "touching". In areas such as Zhengzhou and Kaifeng, Henan, on the first morning after a baby is born, the baby's father has to go out to "touch" the surname. The first person he "touches", whether he is male or female, old or young, the father of the baby will kneel down and kowtow, then explain to him or her that a child has been born in the family, and ask the other person to name the child.
3. Hangzhou
In Hangzhou, there is a different custom for children to "see their relatives". The godmother they worship is not a living person, but the "impermanent ghost" often mentioned in Mr. Lu Xun's articles. There, "parents were afraid that their son would not live long, and they were also afraid that it would be expensive to worship Godfather, so they did not send it to anyone but to the ghosts of impermanence." This is commonly known as "Worshiping Godfather Hu".
Baidu Encyclopedia - Godfather
Baidu Encyclopedia - Foster Father