China’s Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节, Zhōngqiū Jié) is one of the country’s most cherished traditions, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. This festival dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC) when ancient Chinese people worshiped the moon for bountiful harvests. However, the festival gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), becoming a celebration of family reunion, gratitude, and moon worship.
The Legend of Chang’e: The Moon Goddess
A significant part of the Mid-Autumn Festival revolves around the legend of Chang’e (嫦娥), the moon goddess. According to one version of the tale, Chang’e was the wife of the heroic archer Hou Yi, who saved humanity by shooting down nine of the ten suns scorching the Earth. As a reward, Hou Yi was given an elixir of immortality, but he chose not to consume it, wanting to live with his wife. However, Chang’e later drank the elixir to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, ascending to the moon, where she resides to this day.
Each year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, people make offerings of food and fruits to the moon in honor of Chang’e. It is said, “但愿人长久, 千里共婵娟” (Dàn yuàn rén cháng jiǔ, qiān lǐ gòng chán juān), which translates to “May we live long and share the beauty of the moon even if we are thousands of miles apart.” This saying, from the poet Su Shi during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), captures the spirit of the festival—families reuniting or connecting despite distances.
Mooncake: The Heart of the Celebration
One of the most iconic foods of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the mooncake (月饼, yuèbǐng), a pastry with a rich history that dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). The mooncake is traditionally round, symbolizing unity and togetherness, and filled with a variety of ingredients like lotus seed paste (莲蓉, liánróng), red bean paste, or salted egg yolk. During the Yuan Dynasty, it is said that mooncakes were used to conceal secret messages about revolts against Mongol rulers, adding to their historical significance.
Mooncakes are often shared among families and gifted to friends and relatives as a symbol of harmony. The outer pastry crust is typically thin and tender, while the filling inside offers a smooth, sweet, or savory contrast. Today, there are countless variations of mooncakes, ranging from traditional flavors to modern interpretations with ice cream or matcha fillings.
Significance of the Mid-Autumn Foods
Food plays an essential role in the Mid-Autumn Festival, with mooncakes as the centerpiece. Other dishes such as taro, pomelo, and duck are also consumed, representing wealth, family, and abundance. Sharing these foods during the festival reflects the desire for family unity, prosperity, and peace.
Words Related to the Mid-Autumn Festival
Here are five relevant Chinese words translated into English, capturing the essence of the Mid-Autumn Festival:
- 月亮 (Yuèliàng) – Moon
- 团圆 (Tuányuán) – Reunion
- 莲蓉 (Liánróng) – Lotus Seed Paste (a traditional mooncake filling)
- 赏月 (Shǎng yuè) – Moon Gazing
- 灯笼 (Dēnglóng) – Lantern
Conclusion
The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a time for moon gazing and indulging in delicious mooncakes but also for reflecting on the importance of family and tradition. It’s a celebration steeped in history, from the mystical tales of Chang’e to the revolutionary messages hidden in mooncakes, making it one of China’s most culturally rich festivals. As you bite into a mooncake this season, remember that each flavor and texture carries centuries of stories, traditions, and the shared wishes of families for unity and harmony, no matter the distance.