Mandy
October 25, 2024
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The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that dates back over 3,000 years. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, which typically falls in September or October in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival.
The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival can be traced back to ancient China, when people worshipped the moon as a deity. According to legend, the festival began as a way to give thanks for the harvest and to pray for good fortune in the coming year.
This festival is known for its picturesque moonlight, and the full moon is viewed as a symbol of reunion and happiness. Therefore, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Reunion Festival. On this day, people enjoy the moonlight and eat mooncakes, a traditional delicacy. They also set out fresh fruits and round mooncakes, relishing the joy of the autumn harvest and family reunion. For those far from home, the sight of the same moonlight evokes a sense of longing for their hometown and loved ones.
One of the most well-known stories associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is the tale of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. According to legend, Chang’e was the wife of the famous archer Hou Yi. When Hou Yi shot down nine of the ten suns that were scorching the earth, he was rewarded with a potion of immortality. However, Chang’e accidentally drank the potion and floated up to the moon. Hou Yi was devastated by the loss of his wife and made offerings to her on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which is now the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Another popular story is that of the Jade Rabbit, who lives on the moon with Chang’e. The Jade Rabbit is said to be constantly pounding the elixir of immortality, which is why the moon appears to have craters.
Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated with various customs and traditions, including eating mooncakes, admiring the moon, and spending time with family and friends. It is a time for people to reflect on the past year, give thanks for their blessings, and look forward to the future.
