The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival, Reunion Festival, August Festival, Moon Worship Festival, etc...
It is one of China’s most important traditional holidays, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.
The Origins of the Festival
The festival originated from ancient worship of the moon and autumn harvest rituals. Historical records indicate that moon sacrifices were held during the Zhou Dynasty, and it became an established festival in the Tang Dynasty, flourishing in the Song Dynasty.
The legend of Chang’e flying to the moon is closely associated with the festival: Hou Yi obtained an elixir of immortality after shooting down nine suns, but his wife Chang’e accidentally consumed it and ascended to the moon, becoming the moon goddess. People offer sacrifices to the moon to express longing for Chang’e and pray for blessings.
Traditional Customs & Celebrations
In China, there are many traditional celebrations during the Mid-Autumn Festival, including admiring the moon, eating mooncakes, and guessing lantern riddles..
1. Admire the full moon
Families gather to admire the bright full moon, symbolizing reunion and happiness.
2. Eat Mooncakes
Mooncakes are the traditional food, with their round shape representing reunion, and fillings such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or five-nut mix.
3. Guess Lantern Riddles
On the night of the full moon in the Mid-Autumn Festival, many lanterns are hung in public places, and people gather together to guess the riddles written on the lanterns.
4. Family Reunions
Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival that values family reunion. Relatives and friends gather together on this day to share delicious food and feel the atmosphere of reunion.
5. Moon Worship
In ancient times, people held moon worship ceremonies on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. They placed offerings such as mooncakes and fruits and worshiped the moon, praying for the Moon Goddess to bless their families with safety and a good harvest. Although moon worship ceremonies are less common today, they remain a part of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival tradition.
Whether in ancient times or today, the Mid-Autumn Festival always carries people’s aspirations for reunion, harmony, and a better life.
Wishing Everyone a Joyful Mid-Autumn Festival!
