The Mid-Autumn Festival: A Celebration of the Moon and Togetherness
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival, is one of the most important and celebrated festivals in China. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. The festival has a history of more than 3,000 years, and it originated from the ancient practice of worshipping the moon and praying for a good harvest.
According to legend, there was once a goddess named Chang’e who lived on the moon with a jade rabbit. She was the wife of a hero named Hou Yi, who shot down nine out of ten suns that were scorching the earth. Hou Yi obtained an elixir of immortality from a goddess, but he did not want to leave his wife behind. However, one day, a villain named Feng Meng tried to steal the elixir from Hou Yi when he was out hunting. Chang’e saw this and drank the elixir to prevent Feng Meng from getting it. As a result, she flew to the moon and became immortal. Hou Yi was heartbroken and missed his wife dearly. He placed her favorite food and fruits on a table and looked at the moon, hoping to see her again. The people learned about this and also made offerings to Chang’e and the moon to show their respect and gratitude.
The most popular food associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is the mooncake, a round pastry filled with various ingredients such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste, nuts, ham, egg yolk, etc. The round shape symbolizes completeness and reunion, and the rich filling represents abundance and prosperity. The mooncake also has a political significance, as it was used as a medium to spread secret messages during the Yuan Dynasty (1279 – 1368), when China was ruled by the Mongols. The Han Chinese rebels hid notes inside the mooncakes and distributed them to their fellow compatriots, instructing them to rise up against the Mongols on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Another common tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival is to admire the moon with family and friends. People gather together in parks, gardens, rooftops, or other open spaces, and enjoy mooncakes, fruits, tea, wine, or other delicacies while gazing at the moon. Some people also light lanterns or candles or play games such as riddles or dice. Some regions have their own unique customs, such as burning pagodas, performing fire dragon dances, or carrying pomelos. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time to celebrate the beauty of nature and the joy of reunion. It reflects the Chinese values of harmony, gratitude, and family.
Today the traditional festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a statutory holiday in China, and people get a day off. This year 2023, this festival day is on September 29, and just before the National Day of October 1st, so the government set up a long holiday.