There are also delicious variants with lotus seed paste, ham and nuts, or even egg custard.ĥ. In Northern China, assorted nuts mooncakes are most common. In Hong Kong, for example, you can try the tasty “ice-skin” mooncake stuffed with red bean paste. As for what they are made from, this varies from region to region, particularly the stuffing and pastry wrapping. Often family members give mooncakes to one another, or cut and distribute pieces from the same mooncake. Symbolically, the roundness of the mooncake signifies completeness and reunion, particularly in relation to family unity. Though in different parts of China, people may celebrate differently, eating mooncakes is the one consistent part of the celebration that you will always come across. Sharing and eating mooncakes is hands-down the most important way to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival. The markings of the moon are said to look like a rabbit holding a mortar and pestle, and this rabbit is a companion of Chang’e on the moon. The Jade Rabbit is another symbol that people in China associate with the moon and the festival. Usually, they put food and fruits on the table towards the moon, praying for luck. In some places, people still worship the moon, just as they did 3,000 years ago. The moon itself is, of course, the biggest symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival. What are the main symbols of the mid-Autumn festival? Because she was immortal, she decided to live on the moon alone for ever. One famous one involves Chang’e swallowing some pills belonging to her husband that gave her immortality and the ability to fly. There are actually dozens of different myths about how she came to gaze at the moon. Chang’e is a famous Moon Goddess of immortality from Chinese tradition, and traditionally, offerings are made to her during the Moon Festival. Sounds a bit crazy, but actually it’s one of the biggest myths surrounding the Mid-Autumn Festival. You might have heard from your Chinese friends that someone called Chang’e “lives in the moon”. Some rulers took it incredibly seriously - Empress Dowager Cixi (late 19th century) loved it so much she took five days out of her busy schedule every year to stage elaborate moon-worship rituals. Because the harvest was tied to the moon cycle, the festival is meant to take place when the moon is at its fullest. Believe it or not, the Mid-Autumn Festival has been around for more than 1000 years! It was first established as a holiday in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) but is believed that Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the custom of worshiping the moon back in Zhou dynasty over 3000 years ago.Īncient Chinese emperors traditionally used the Mid-Autumn Festival to pray for the harvest, fine weather and peace for the country. When was the first Mid-Autumn festival?įirst off: this festival is ANCIENT. Break down barriers and celebrate diversity by downloading the app now! 1. The Tandem app isn’t just about language exchange, it’s also about cultural exchange and fostering meaningful conversations with people from all over the world. Here are the top facts you need to know before celebrating one of the most famous festivals of East Asia! This year the festival is happening on 1st October, so, to celebrate, we asked our community to give us the low-down on the festival’s history and traditions. It is the second most important festival in China after Lunar New Year! It is often called “Moon Festival” for this reason. A major holiday in many parts of Asia, the Mid-Autumn Festival happens on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar with full moon at night. If you know anything at all about Chinese culture, you’ll know that September/October brings a very special event to the region, the Mid-Autumn Festival.
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