The Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival（Moon Festival） is the second most important traditional in China. It is a day of cultural significance and familial affection. People usually celebrate it on the 15th day of the 8th month in lunar calendar. On this day, no matter where they are, people will try their best to return home to reunite with their families, enjoy the full moon taste the sweet mooncakes, and experience the warmth and joy of home.

The Historical Origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival 

The Mid-Autumn originated from ancient China's worship of celestial phenomena, especially the custom of sacrificing to the moon on autumn evenings. According to historical records, as early as the Shang Dynasty, Chinese people had the custom of sacrificing to the moon, praying for a good harvest and good fortune. Later, this custom gradually developed into a folk traditional centered on family reunion. Started from the Tang Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival became a festival for expressing homesickness and getting more popular after Song Dynasty.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the four major traditional festivals in China, it embodies :reunion, harvest, and gratitude, similar Thanksgiving in the West.

Customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival

1.Moon Appreciation: 

As night falls, a full moon hangs high in sky. People from every household will go outdoors, or climb high to look into the distance, or gather in the courtyard, to appreciate this moon that symbolizes and harmony. Under the moonlight, people may whisper to each other, or make poems, enjoying this tranquility and beauty.

2.Eating Mooncakes: Mooncake`s round and full shape symbolizing reunion and completeness, it is an indispensable traditional food for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Every household will prepare various of mooncakes, with traditional flavors like five nuts, red bean paste, and lotus seed paste, as well as innovative flavors like ice cream and chocolate. are used to give to friends and relatives, conveying deep festive feelings.

3.Lantern Release: On the Mid-Autumn night, colorful lanterns light up sky, like twinkling stars. People release or hold lanterns, moving through the streets and courtyards, creating a warm and mysterious festive atmosphere.

4 Appreciating Osmanthus and Drinking Osmanthus Wine: The Mid-Autumn Festival is also the time when osmanthus flowers are in full bloom. People will appreciat osmanthus, eat osmanthus food, and drink osmanthus wine during the festival, adding to the fragrance and atmosphere of the festival.

Legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival 

There are several legends about the Mid-Autumn Festival, the most well-known being the story of Chang'e flying to the moon. It is said that Chang'e, after stealing her husband Hou Yi's elixir of immortality, became lighter and flew to the cold and lonely moon. This legend not only adds a mysterious color to the Mid-Autumn Festival, but also makes Chang'e a symbol of the moon, representing people's longing reunion and a better life.

Additionally, there are other legends: Such as Wu Gang chopping the osmanthus tree, the jade rabbit pounding medicine, and the Tang Emperor Xuan Zong visiting the moon palace. These stories add a romantic and cultural depth to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Mid-Autumn Greetings:

The moon be full and the family be reunited!

May the flowers be beautiful and the moon be full!

May people live long and share the beauty of the same even if they are far apart!