Chinese Mooncake Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is an ancient Chinese holiday dating back more than 3000 years to the Shang Dynasty, which lasted from 1600-1046 B.C. In Chinese folklore, the festival was a time for giving thanks to the moon for a bountiful harvest.
Over the centuries, various legends have been associated with the festival, with the most popular being the story of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess.
History of Chinese Mooncake Festival
The tale of Chang’e begins with her drinking an elixir of immortality and ascending to the moon, where she lives forever. Her husband, Hou Yi, a skilled archer who saved the earth from catastrophe, is left to honor her from afar. On the night of the full moon, people gather to admire the moon and share mooncakes in memory of their reunion in spirit.
At the center of the Mooncake Festival is the mooncake, a round pastry that represents the moon and symbolizes family unity and togetherness, which honors the relationship of Hou and Chang’e. Mooncakes are traditionally filled with lotus seed paste or red bean paste and have a salted egg yolk in the center, which represents the full moon.
Modern Variations
In recent years, mooncakes have evolved into a gourmet art form. Today, you can find mooncakes with a wide range of fillings, from chocolate and fruit flavors to ice cream and custard. Although traditional mooncakes are still cherished, these modern twists help bring in tourists and modernize the holiday.
Traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival
In Chinese tradition, the full moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival is said to be the brightest and roundest of the year. Families gather outdoors to admire the moon, which symbolizes unity and completeness.
Lanterns play a significant role in the festival, especially for children. People often create or buy colorful lanterns in various shapes, which symbolize light and hope. Lantern parades and displays are common in many regions, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Similar to Thanksgiving in the West, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions. Many people travel long distances to be with their loved ones and celebrate together. Sharing mooncakes, enjoying festive meals, and exchanging good wishes are central to the celebration and help bring people together.
The festival is also celebrated in major cities with fire dragon dances, a spectacle where a dragon made of straw and incense is paraded through the streets.
The Mooncake Festival in Chinese culture is more than just a celebration of the moon or a feast of delicious pastries. It embodies reunion and harmony and serves as a reminder of the importance of family and the blessings of life. The moon’s round shape represents completeness, making it the perfect time for families to come together and reflect on the year’s accomplishments, challenges, and hopes for the future.
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Note that China has the first few days of the week of the 16th of September off during this time.