2024/09/17
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the most important traditional festivals in China, along with the Spring Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, a time when the moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest. The festival is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and history, with origins that intertwine with moon worship, harvest celebrations, family reunions, and various legends.
Origins and Background
Rooted in Ancient Moon Worship: The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival date back to ancient China, when people worshipped the moon. The moon's phases were closely related to agricultural production and daily life, leading ancient people to revere the moon. During the autumn harvest, people would offer sacrifices to the moon to pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.
A Festival of Harvest Celebration: Also known as the "Harvest Moon Festival" or "Moon Evening," the Mid-Autumn Festival began as a celebration of the autumn harvest. The lunar eighth month marks the time when the weather is clear, and the crops are ripe. People celebrated the harvest during this time, giving thanks for nature's bounty. Activities like moon worship, moon gazing, and eating mooncakes became important parts of the festival.
The Legend of Chang'e Flying to the Moon: The popularity of the Mid-Autumn Festival is also linked to the legendary story of Chang'e flying to the moon. According to the legend, Hou Yi, a skilled archer, shot down nine of the ten suns to save the people and was given an elixir of immortality by the Queen Mother of the West. To prevent the elixir from falling into the wrong hands, his wife, Chang'e, accidentally swallowed it and ascended to the moon. Every year on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, people would offer sacrifices to the moon and Chang'e, expressing their longing for her.
The Stories of Wu Gang Chopping the Laurel Tree and the Jade Rabbit: Besides the story of Chang'e, there are other legends associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as Wu Gang chopping the laurel tree and the Jade Rabbit pounding medicine. It is said that in the Moon Palace, there is a massive laurel tree that Wu Gang is eternally tasked with chopping down as punishment for offending the gods. However, the tree heals itself, and Wu Gang can never complete his task. The Jade Rabbit, another celestial figure, is said to accompany Chang'e and continuously pound medicine. These legends add rich cultural imagery to the festival.
Symbolism of Family Reunion: The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the "Reunion Festival." It is a time for families to come together, enjoy mooncakes, drink tea, and appreciate the moon. Since autumn is a season of abundance symbolizing prosperity and fullness, and the full moon symbolizes reunion, the Mid-Autumn Festival has become a day to express homesickness and family love.
Customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival
Moon Gazing: Moon gazing is one of the most important traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the night of the festival, people set up tables with fruits, mooncakes, and other offerings, enjoying the full moon while indulging in delicious food.
Eating Mooncakes: Mooncakes symbolize family reunion and are an essential delicacy of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Different regions have different flavors of mooncakes, such as Cantonese, Suzhou, and Beijing styles. Regardless of the type, mooncakes represent the beautiful wish for family reunions.
Guessing Lantern Riddles: During the Mid-Autumn Festival, some places hang lanterns for people to guess riddles, a fun activity that also promotes social interaction.
Worshipping and Offering Sacrifices to the Moon: In ancient times, worshipping and offering sacrifices to the moon were common practices, especially among women, who would pray under the moon for a happy marriage and family harmony.
Other Customs: Other unique customs, such as appreciating osmanthus flowers, drinking osmanthus wine, and lighting towers (building tower-like structures and lighting them), are also practiced in various regions.
Significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is more than just a festival about the moon, harvest, and reunions; it is rich in cultural meaning. It symbolizes completeness and happiness and reflects the Chinese people's love for nature and life and their pursuit of beauty and harmony. Through various colorful customs and activities, the festival conveys the longing for family reunion and harmonious happiness.
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