Views: 532 Author: Publish Time:2024-09-18 15:52:26 Origin: Colshine
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival, is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. It typically falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which usually occurs in September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. In 2024, it's celebrated on September 17.
Key Aspects of the Mid-Autumn Festival:
1. Mooncakes: One of the most iconic features of the festival is the exchange and consumption of mooncakes, which are round pastries filled with various fillings like lotus seed paste, red bean paste, egg yolk, or fruits and nuts. The round shape symbolizes reunion and completeness.
2. Moon Worship: The festival honors the moon, as it is believed to be at its brightest and fullest on this night. People gather outdoors to admire the moon, offer sacrifices, and pray for good fortune.
3. Lanterns: Lanterns, especially those shaped like rabbits, fish, or other animals, are lit and displayed during the festival. Children often carry lanterns in parades, and in some areas, large displays of intricate lanterns are set up.
4. Family Reunion: The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to come together, similar to how Thanksgiving is celebrated in Western cultures. It is a chance for people to return home and spend time with their loved ones.
5. Legend of Chang'e: The festival is closely tied to the story of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess. According to legend, she drank an elixir of immortality and floated up to the moon, where she lives alone with only a jade rabbit for company.
The Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes unity, family, and harmony, making it a time for celebration and togetherness.
