Mid-Autumn Festival
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
To the Chinese, the Mid-Autumn Festival means family reunion and peace. The festival is celebrated when the moon is believed to be the biggest and fullest. To the Chinese, a full moon is a symbol of prosperity, happiness, and family reunion.
How the Chinese Celebrate Mid-Autumn?
Many traditional and meaningful celebrations are held in most households in China, and China's neighboring countries. The main traditions and celebrations include eating mooncakes, having dinner with family, gazing at and worshipping the moon, and lighting lanterns.
In the 14th century, the eating of mooncakes at the Mid-Autumn Festival was given a new significance. The story goes that when Zhu Yuanzhang was plotting to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty started by the Mongolians, the rebels hid their messages in the Mid-Autumn mooncakes. Mid-Autumn Festival is hence also a commemoration of the overthrow of the Mongolians by the Han people.
Wish you and your family a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!