The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Here's an English translation of the origins and legends associated with this festival:
**Origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival:**
The Mid-Autumn Festival has its roots in ancient China and is believed to have originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is primarily celebrated to mark the harvest, as the 15th day of the eighth lunar month typically coincides with the full moon and the peak of the autumn harvest.
According to legend, during the Shang Dynasty, people would observe the moon's cycles to predict the weather and plan their agricultural activities. The full moon in the autumn was considered a sign of prosperity and good luck, and thus, the Mid-Autumn Festival became a time to celebrate the harvest and thank the gods for their bountiful blessings.
**Legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival:**
1. **The Moon Rabbit:**
One of the most famous legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival involves the Moon Rabbit. It is said that the moon is inhabited by a magical rabbit that lives in the Moon Palace. The rabbit is often seen grinding medicinal herbs to concoct an elixir of immortality for the Queen of the Moon.
2. **Chang'e and the Moon Rabbit:**
The most well-known story associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is about the moon goddess Chang'e. According to the tale, Chang'e was the wife of the famous Chinese hero Hou Yi. Hou Yi was given the elixir of immortality by the神仙 (immortal), but when he accidentally took the whole potion, he flew up to the moon, becoming an immortal himself.
Left behind on Earth, Chang'e also consumed some of the potion and was transformed into a moon goddess. Since then, Chang'e has lived on the moon, where she is often depicted in traditional paintings and sculptures. The full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival is said to be her reflection, and she is believed to watch over the people below.
3. **Lantern Festival:**
Another legend is associated with the practice of lighting lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In some stories, lanterns are used to guide Chang'e to the moon, or to light up the darkness that Hou Yi had left behind. In other versions, lanterns are released into the sky to celebrate Chang'e's journey to the moon.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated with various customs and traditions, including family reunions, moon-viewing, eating mooncakes, and lighting lanterns. It is a time for people to come together, share a meal under the full moon, and enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
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