Mid-Autumn Festival: Origin and Customs
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is a time for family reunions, moon admiration, and enjoying the full moon. Here's an interesting overview of its origin and customs:
**Origin:**
The exact origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival is not clear, but it is believed to have originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). One popular legend is about the Moon Goddess, Chang'e, who fled to the moon after consuming a magic potion that enabled her to fly. Her husband, Hou Yi, followed her, leaving behind a magical potion that prevented the moon from falling to the earth. Since then, the festival has been celebrated as a symbol of unity and toasting to the full moon.
**Customs:**
1. **Mooncakes:**
- The most iconic custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the sharing of mooncakes. These round pastries symbolize completeness and reunion. They come in various flavors, like lotus seed, red bean, and egg yolk, and often have a small, round object inside, representing the moon.
2. **Admiring the Full Moon:**
- Families gather in their homes or at a nearby park to enjoy the full moon, which is considered the roundest and brightest during this festival. It's believed that the moon is at its fullest and most beautiful on this night.
3. **Lanterns:**
- Children make lanterns from paper or cloth, often in the shape of animals or traditional symbols. They carry these lanterns as they play and celebrate the festival.
4. **Dragon and Lion Dances:**
- In some regions, dragon and lion dances are performed as a way to bring good fortune and happiness to the community.
5. **Moon Viewing Parties:**
- In ancient times, scholars and literati would gather for moon-viewing parties, where they would enjoy poetry, tea, and mooncakes under the full moon.
6. **Tang Yuan Festival:**
- In some areas, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also celebrated as the Tang Yuan Festival, where sticky rice balls called tangyuan are eaten. These balls symbolize completeness and unity.
7. **Peach Blossom Festival:**
- Some regions also celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival as the Peach Blossom Festival, commemorating the return of the moon god, who is believed to have transformed into a peach blossom fairy.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a time for enjoying the full moon and mooncakes but also a moment to appreciate family and cultural heritage. It's a festival that brings people together, fostering a sense of community and national pride.
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