Mid-autumn Festival
Introduction to Mid-autumn Festival
When it comes to the Mid-autumn Festival (中秋节; zhōng qiū jié in pinyin), people old and young, will automatically think of the famous love story regarding the origin of the festival. Also is known as Moon Festival. No consensus has been reached on this issue since different versions of the legend exist in different parts of China. But one of the most popular and widely recognized ones goes like this:
The Legend of Houyi and Chang'e
Long, long ago, there were ten suns in the sky. It was so hot that the sea was dried and crevices could be seen everywhere on the ground and people were on the verge of dying. The disaster called the attention of a hero named Houyi who climbed up to the top of Kunlun Mountain and shot down nine suns with his magic bow. People were therefore saved from drought and Houyi was highly respected since then. Hearing the good news, many ambitious people, evil ones included, came to be apprentices of Houyi to learn his shooting skills.
Soon after Houyi married a fairy-like lady called Chang'e and they lived a happy life together. One day, Houyi came to Kunlun Mountain to visit a friend and happened to meet Wang Mu Niang Niang, the queen of heaven who gave him two pills that had the magic effect of keeping people immortal. Houyi took the pills home and asked Chang'e to keep them. Unfortunately, an apprentice of Houyi learned this and he tried to grasp the pills from Chang'e. Having no other choice, Chang'e swallowed both two pills and flew to the moon which became the popular tale known as Chang'e Benyue (嫦娥奔月) today. Thereafter, the fairytale couple was separated and Houyi was said to make moon cakes to share with his wife who lived in the moon palace since then at every Mid-autumn Festival in the hope of reuniting with Chang'e one day.
When is the Celebration of the Mid-autumn Festival
The Mid-autumn Festival (Moon Festival) in 2024, falls on September 17th, marking a time when families and friends gather to celebrate, share mooncakes, and admire the full moon, an emblem of harmony and abundance.
As the moon reaches its fullest and brightest state, the Mid-autumn Festival invites people to partake in various cultural activities. These include moon gazing, lantern lighting, and the recitation of poems dedicated to the moon's beauty and mystique. The festival is also a time for culinary delights, most notably the mooncake, a round pastry that represents completeness and unity.
Looking ahead, the festival in 2025 will be celebrated on October 6th. This shifting of dates from year to year is inherent to the festival's timing, as it is traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This lunar basis for determining the festival date naturally leads to an annual variation when compared to the fixed dates of the solar calendar. The Mid-autumn Festival, in its rhythmic cycle, thus offers a cherished moment each year for individuals to pause, reflect, and strengthen the bonds of family and community under the glowing full moon.
How it's celebrated the Moon Festival
Today people across China observe the Mid-autumn Festival on the fifteenth of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, right in the middle of the month when the moon is supposed to be in its brightest and fullest state. Mid-autumn Festival is now considered one of the four most important traditional festivals in China, the other three being Spring Festival, Tomb-sweeping Day, and Dragon Boat Festival.
Traditional Food - Moon Cake
Apart from the beautiful and moving tale, moon cake, the traditional food served on this day is also worth mentioning. Just as its name suggests, moon cake is normally round and looks very much like a full moon. On mid-autumn days, a wide selection of moon cakes with a variety of flavors and fillings are available in any shops or supermarkets. Those decorated with fine packing materials have a particularly high price tag; some may reach several hundred yuan for only two or three moon cakes wrapped up in an exquisite box.
Modern Celebrations
Nowadays, the Mid-autumn Festival has become an occasion for family members to get together to appreciate the bright moon while sharing some latest happenings and interesting stories in the old days and sending their best wishes through the moon to friends or relatives who cannot manage to go back home on this day. Moon cakes are also served as sacrificial offerings to the Luna. In the southern part of ancient China, a special kind of lantern shaped like a pagoda was lit and today different minorities have their distinct way of celebrating this festival adding to the festive atmosphere.
Cultural Activities and Folklore
The festival is also a time for embracing folklore and cultural activities. Traditional games and storytelling sessions are organized, where tales of the moon goddess Chang'e, the archer Houyi, and the Jade Rabbit come alive, passing down centuries-old stories to the younger generation. Calligraphy and tea-tasting sessions are also commonplace, reflecting the festival's refinement and the people's appreciation for the finer aspects of their cultural heritage.
Embracing the Moon and Nature
Beyond the festivities, the Moon Festival is a time for contemplation and appreciation of the natural world. People take the time to observe the moon, often engaging in poetic expression or painting, inspired by its beauty and the tranquility it bestows. It's a moment when the hustle and bustle of everyday life give way to a peaceful reflection on the passage of time and the cycles of nature.
As the Mid-autumn Festival continues to evolve, it remains a heartfelt celebration of togetherness, culture, and the enduring human spirit. It's a testament to the rich tapestry of Chinese traditions and their ability to adapt and thrive in the modern era.
Final Words about the Mid-Autumn Festival
As the Mid-autumn Festival beautifully weaves the past with the present, it stands as a vibrant testament to the enduring spirit of Chinese culture. It's a time when myth and tradition blend seamlessly with contemporary practices, bringing families and communities together in a heartfelt celebration of unity, prosperity, and gratitude. Whether it's through sharing the rich flavors of mooncakes, basking in the glow of a full moon, or engaging in age-old customs, the festival transcends mere festivity to become a profound expression of the collective human experience.
In this bustling modern world, the Mid-autumn Festival offers a serene harbor—a time to slow down, to honor the rich tapestry of folklore and heritage, and to nurture the bonds that bind us across distances and generations. As we look to the moon, so round and luminous, we are reminded of the cyclical nature of life and the beauty of coming together in harmony and appreciation.
Thus, the Mid-autumn Festival, with its deep roots and ever-evolving traditions, continues to cast its luminous glow, inspiring us to cherish the simple joys of togetherness and the timeless beauty of our shared human story, under the ever-watchful eye of the bright autumn moon.