CHINESE FESTIVAL | MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL | 17TH SEPT | FLYINGMUM

The Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival: A Journey Through Time and TraditionMid autumn festival coming

Imagine a clear, cool autumn night. The moon, full and glowing, lights up the sky like a pearl. Families gather outside, lanterns in hand, surrounded by the scent of freshly baked mooncakes. This is the Mid-Autumn Festival — a beloved celebration that has spanned centuries and continues to bring people together under the same luminous moon.

For those unfamiliar, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It’s a time of joy, reunion, and reflection, observed in China and many other East and Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. But how did this magical festival begin? Let me take you on a journey through its origins, steeped in myths, legends, and history.

The Legend of Chang’e: The Goddess of the Moon

One of the most popular stories associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is that of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. Long ago, there were ten suns in the sky, scorching the earth and making life unbearable for the people. A heroic archer named Hou Yi shot down nine of the suns, leaving only one to provide light and warmth. As a reward, the Queen Mother of the West gifted Hou Yi an elixir of immortality. However, Hou Yi loved his wife, Chang’e, dearly and didn’t want to live forever without her. So, he entrusted the elixir to her for safekeeping.

But, as legends go, trouble soon followed. One day, when Hou Yi was out hunting, a cunning and evil apprentice of his broke into their home, demanding the elixir. To prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, Chang’e drank it herself. Instantly, she began to float higher and higher, eventually reaching the moon, where she resides to this day, watching over the earth. Heartbroken but understanding her sacrifice, Hou Yi laid out Chang’e’s favorite foods and gazed at the moon, hoping to catch a glimpse of his beloved wife.

And so, the tradition of admiring the moon and sharing food with loved ones was born — a tribute to the enduring love between Hou Yi and Chang’e, and a reminder of the moon’s mysterious beauty.

Mooncakes: A Symbol of Unity and Revolution

While the legend of Chang’e offers a romantic and celestial origin story, the Mid-Autumn Festival also holds deep historical significance, particularly through the tradition of mooncakes. These round pastries, filled with sweet or savory fillings, have become the iconic treat of the festival.

During the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), China was under Mongol rule. The oppressive regime left the people longing for liberation. According to folklore, revolutionaries, led by Zhu Yuanzhang, devised a secret plan to overthrow the Mongols. They hid messages containing details of the uprising inside mooncakes, which were then distributed among the Han Chinese population under the guise of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. The strategy worked; the people united, and the revolution succeeded. Thus, the mooncake became a symbol of unity, resistance, and hope for a better future.

Today, mooncakes are shared among family and friends, symbolizing reunion and completeness. They come in various flavors, from the traditional lotus seed paste with salted egg yolk to modern variations like chocolate, matcha, and even ice cream-filled mooncakes. Each bite is a delicious reminder of history, tradition, and the joy of being together.

Lanterns: Lighting the Night with Dreams and Wishes

Another enchanting aspect of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the use of lanterns. From simple paper lanterns to elaborate ones shaped like animals, flowers, or mythological creatures, these colorful lights create a whimsical, almost magical atmosphere. Children carry them while parading through neighborhoods, and in some places, lantern-making competitions are held.

The origins of lanterns during this festival are tied to the concept of chasing away darkness — both literally and metaphorically. They symbolize light, hope, and the wish for a prosperous future. In some regions, people write riddles on lanterns for a game known as “lantern riddle guessing,” a fun activity that engages both young and old in the spirit of the festival.

A Time for Reconnection and Reflection

While the legends and traditions surrounding the Mid-Autumn Festival are captivating, at its core, the festival is a time for reconnection. It’s a time when families come together, set aside their daily worries, and share a meal under the full moon. It’s a moment to express gratitude, share stories, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

In many ways, the Mid-Autumn Festival is like Thanksgiving — a celebration of togetherness, abundance, and reflection. It reminds us to appreciate the present moment, cherish our loved ones, and, like Chang’e on the moon, look upon our lives with wonder and gratitude

Celebrating Across Cultures

As the Mid-Autumn Festival has spread across Asia, each culture has added its own unique twist. In Vietnam, it’s known as Tết Trung Thu and is celebrated as a children’s festival, complete with lion dances and lantern processions. In South Korea, a similar celebration called Chuseok involves honoring ancestors and sharing songpyeon (a type of rice cake) with family.

No matter where or how it is celebrated, the essence of the Mid-Autumn Festival remains the same: it’s a celebration of light over darkness, unity over division, and love over all.

An Invitation to Celebrate Together

To my international friends, if you ever find yourself under a full autumn moon, take a moment to look up and think of Chang’e, floating gracefully in her lunar palace. Consider sharing a mooncake with someone you love, lighting a lantern, or simply enjoying the beauty of the night. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a reminder that, no matter where we are in the world, we are all connected under the same moon.

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