What is Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival?
Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival that falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. This year it will be celebrated on the 19th of September. This traditional festival has been celebrated for more than three thousand years and is one of the four most important festivals in Chinese culture. This festival is also known as the Moon Festival. It is a time for families to get together and enjoy the full moon and eat mooncakes. During this festival, Chinese people celebrate the full moon and give thanks for the harvest.
The Legend of Chang'e
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is closely related to the legend of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess. According to the legend, Chang'e was a beautiful young lady who lived on earth with her husband Hou Yi. One day, the Jade Emperor sent out nine magical suns into the sky, which made the earth abnormally hot. To prevent the earth from burning, Hou Yi shot down eight of the nine suns with his bow and arrows. As a reward, the Jade Emperor gave Hou Yi the elixir of life. But instead of drinking it himself, Hou Yi gave it to Chang'e, who then flew to the moon.
Symbols of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
The moon and the mooncake are two of the most important symbols of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. The round shape of the mooncake symbolizes reunion and unity. During the festival, families and friends get together, eat mooncakes and admire the full moon. The moon is also a symbol of joy and peace, and it is believed that the moon is at its brightest and most beautiful during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Activities during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
Chinese people usually celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival with family gatherings and activities. During the festival, families get together to eat mooncakes and admire the full moon. People also light lanterns and play traditional Chinese games. Dragon and lion dances are often performed as part of the celebrations. In some parts of China, people also launch sky lanterns, which is a tradition that dates back to the Tang Dynasty.
Mooncakes
Mooncakes are an essential part of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. They are round-shaped pastries filled with different kinds of fillings such as red bean paste, lotus seed paste, and even meats and vegetables. In recent years, mooncakes have become increasingly popular and creative, with flavors such as green tea, mango, and even chocolate. Mooncakes are usually given as gifts to family and friends during the festival.
The festival of “Reunion”
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival of “reunion”. It is an opportunity for families and friends to come together and celebrate the harvest. People often get together to admire the full moon, share mooncakes and light lanterns. During the festival, people also exchange good wishes for health, prosperity and happiness.
Gift Giving
During the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, family and friends give presents to each other. The most common gifts are mooncakes, pomelos, tea, and lanterns. In recent years, people have started to give more creative and unique gifts such as jewelry, clothing, and even gadgets.
The End of the Festival
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival ends with a grand fireworks display. Fireworks are set off to welcome the full moon and to bid farewell to the festival. After the fireworks display, people usually make wishes and pray for good luck and a prosperous year ahead.
Conclusion
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families and friends to come together and celebrate the harvest. It is a time for eating mooncakes, admiring the full moon, and exchanging good wishes for health, prosperity, and happiness. May you have a wonderful and joyous Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and have a great time with your family and friends! Happy Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival!
