Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: Why and How to Celebrate
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Zhongqiu Jie (中秋节) or the Mooncake Festival, has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. Originating as a royal sacrificial ceremony, the festival was closely tied to moon worship and agricultural activities, symbolizing gratitude for the harvest and hopes for future prosperity. Over time, it has evolved into a family-oriented celebration, where the full moon becomes a symbol of reunion, good health, and happiness.
Why Mid-Autumn Festival is Celebrated
At its core, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of the harvest and family unity. Historically, people worshiped the moon to give thanks for the harvest and to pray for its return in the following year. The full moon’s roundness is seen as a representation of completeness, which extends to family togetherness. Today, the festival is still important for families to come together and appreciate the beauty of the full moon, while also praying for good fortune and health.
The Legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The most popular Mid-Autumn legend is that of Chang’e, the moon goddess. According to the story, Chang’e drank an elixir of immortality to prevent it from being stolen, and she ascended to the moon, where she lives with the Jade Rabbit. Her husband, Hou Yi, offers sacrifices to her every year, longing for their reunion. This story is told to children and passed down through generations as part of the festival’s history.
Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations
Enjoying a Family Dinner
A key part of the Mid-Autumn Festival is enjoying a meal with family. Just as the full moon represents reunion, this meal brings loved ones together, offering an opportunity to share in each other’s company. For those who are far from their families, it’s common to celebrate with close friends.
Eating Mooncakes
Mooncakes are the iconic food of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Their round shape symbolizes completeness, and they are often exchanged as gifts between family members and friends to express love and good wishes. Mooncakes are usually eaten after dinner while admiring the full moon.
Appreciating the Moon
Chinese families traditionally set up tables outside to admire the full moon together while enjoying mooncakes. Parents often tell children the legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess, as they try to spot her silhouette on the moon.
Making and Carrying Lanterns
Lantern-making and carrying is a colorful tradition associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. People create lanterns of all shapes and sizes, write riddles on them, and gather with friends or family to admire the full moon. Lanterns symbolize luck, light, and family unity.
Mid-Autumn Festival Greetings
During the festival, people exchange messages of goodwill. Common greetings include:
- “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival” (中秋节快乐 — Zhongqiu Jie Kuaile)
- “Wishing us a long life to share the graceful moonlight, though hundreds of miles apart.” (但愿人长久，千里共婵娟 — Dàn yuàn rén chángjiǔ, qiānlǐ gòng chánjuān)
Image credit: China Highlights
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for reflection, family, and celebrating unity under the light of the full moon. Whether you’re enjoying a traditional family dinner or gazing at the moon with loved ones, this festival brings us all together with a sense of gratitude and hope for the future.
FAQ about Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates family unity, the harvest, and the full moon, which symbolizes reunion and completeness.
Mooncakes are round pastries that represent the full moon and family unity. They are shared among family and friends to express love and best wishes.
The festival is traditionally celebrated by gathering with family, enjoying a meal, eating mooncakes, making lanterns, and admiring the full moon.
The legend tells the story of Chang’e, who ascended to the moon after drinking an elixir of immortality. She is accompanied by the Jade Rabbit, who represents purity and sacrifice in Chinese folklore.
