The Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the traditional Chinese festivals celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Here are some key features and activities of the Mid-Autumn Festival:

1)Moon Viewing: People gather to admire the bright full moon on this day, traditionally believed to be the roundest and brightest of the year. Families and friends often come together for moon-viewing gatherings, sometimes accompanied by moon-viewing feasts.

2)Eating Mooncakes: Mooncakes are round pastries filled with various fillings such as red bean paste, lotus seed paste, or nuts. People exchange mooncakes as gifts to convey blessings and gratitude.

3)Family Reunion: The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to reunite. People make efforts to return home and spend time with their loved ones, emphasizing the importance of family bonds.

4)Moon-related Songs and Poems: Throughout history, poets and songwriters have composed verses and songs praising the beauty of the moon. These literary and musical creations add to the festive atmosphere.

5)Traditional Activities: Different regions have various traditional activities associated with the festival, including lantern-making, dragon and lion dances, and reenactments of the Legend of Chang'e Flying to the Moon. Some places also host cultural performances or fireworks displays.

The Legend of Chang'e Flying to the Moon:

Long ago, there were ten suns in the sky that scorched the earth. A hero named Hou Yi, known for his exceptional archery skills, shot down nine of the suns, saving humanity. However, his heroic actions aroused jealousy, and he faced retribution. Hou Yi received a special elixir from the Queen Mother of the West, which could grant immortality. But he chose not to consume it immediately, as he cherished his life with his wife, Chang'e.

One day, while Hou Yi was away, his evil apprentice, Peng Meng, attempted to steal the elixir. To prevent Peng Meng from obtaining it, Chang'e consumed the elixir herself. She immediately floated up to the sky and became the Moon Goddess.

Upon returning home and learning what had happened, Hou Yi was devastated. He looked up at the night sky and saw that the moon was exceptionally bright and beautiful that night, with a figure resembling Chang'e. Hou Yi deeply missed his wife and set up an altar with her favorite treats in the garden. People in the mortal world, upon hearing the story of Chang'e ascending to the moon, began the tradition of offering sacrifices to her during the Mid-Autumn Festival, praying for blessings and safety.

This legend of Chang'e has become an integral part of the Mid-Autumn Festival and symbolizes reunion and the enduring love between couples.