Gregorian Date
September 15, 2016
Lunar Date
8/15
Day of Week
Thursday
The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) evolved from ancient moon worship during the Zhou Dynasty and formal imperial moon-gazing galas in the Tang and Song Dynasties. Deeply linked to the myth of Chang'e ascending to the moon, eating round mooncakes symbolizes family reunion and abundant harvest under the full moon.
The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节/中秋節) is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. It is a harvest festival celebrating family unity.
Traditions include eating mooncakes, carrying colorful lanterns, moon gazing, and telling the legend of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess. Family gatherings are central to the celebration.
Zhong Qiu Jie Kuai Le (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)
Mooncakes, Pomelo, Taro, Osmanthus wine
According to legend, Chang'e swallowed an elixir of immortality — in some versions to protect it from being stolen, in others by accident — and floated to the moon, where she resides with the Jade Rabbit.
Pointing at the moon is said to bring bad luck or cause the tip of your ear to be cut off.
Making mooncakes at home is one of the most hands-on ways to celebrate the harvest. Having the right spring-loaded mold size and release tools makes homemade mooncakes look bakery-perfect.
Carrying and hanging lanterns during the full moon represents lighting the path to luck and family unity. Colorful lanterns bring warmth to indoor and outdoor moon-gazing celebrations.
Because mooncakes are rich and sweet, pairing them with hot, unsweetened tea balances the palate while sharing traditional harvest moon folklore with the whole family.
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