Mid-Autumn Festival in China
Mid-Autumn Festival is a holiday in China.
When is Mid-Autumn Festival in China
Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on 29, September, 2023 in China.
About Mid-Autumn Festival in China
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls in September or October. It is one of the most important festivals in China, and is a time for families to gather together, eat mooncakes, and appreciate the full moon.
The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival date back to ancient times, when people would worship the moon goddess Chang’e and offer sacrifices to her. Over time, the festival became more focused on family reunions and the appreciation of the moon’s beauty.
One of the most iconic symbols of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the mooncake, a pastry filled with sweet lotus seed paste and often containing a salted egg yolk in the center. Mooncakes are traditionally given as gifts to friends and family, and are also eaten during the festival as a symbol of unity and completeness.
Other traditional activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival include lighting lanterns, watching dragon and lion dances, and playing games like dice and shuttlecock. In some parts of China, there are also parades and performances featuring traditional music and dance.
Overall, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for Chinese people to come together with their loved ones and celebrate the beauty of the moon and the importance of family and community.
History of Mid-Autumn Festival in China
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Zhongqiu Festival, is one of the most important traditional holidays in China. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls in September or October.
The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival can be traced back to ancient China, where it was a time to celebrate the harvest and give thanks to the gods. According to legend, the festival was first celebrated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) when a rebel leader named Zhu Yuanzhang led a successful revolt against the Mongol rulers. Zhu’s army used mooncakes as a secret code to coordinate their attack on the Mongols on the night of the full moon, which is now celebrated as the Mid-Autumn Festival.
During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the festival became more popular and began to take on a more romantic theme. The moon was seen as a symbol of love and longing, and it was believed that on this night, the moon was at its brightest and most beautiful. Couples would often use the occasion to express their love for each other, and families would gather together to enjoy mooncakes, lanterns, and other festive foods.
Over the centuries, the Mid-Autumn Festival has become an important cultural event in China and is celebrated by people of all ages and backgrounds. Today, it is a time to reunite with family and friends, eat traditional foods like mooncakes and pomelos, and admire the beauty of the full moon. The festival is also celebrated in other parts of Asia, including Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, where it is known as Chuseok or Tsukimi.
How is Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated in China
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in China in various ways, including:
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Family gatherings: The festival is a time for families to come together and enjoy a meal. Mooncakes, a traditional pastry filled with lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk, are often shared during the meal.
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Moon-gazing: The full moon is a symbol of reunion and harmony, and people often gather outdoors to admire it. Children often carry lanterns in the shape of animals or cartoon characters.
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Cultural performances: Traditional Chinese opera, dragon and lion dances, and other cultural performances are often held during the festival.
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Giving gifts: It is customary to give gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as mooncakes, fruit, or tea.
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Drinking tea: Tea drinking is an important part of the festival, as it is believed to help with digestion after eating mooncakes.
Overall, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family, friends, and community to come together and celebrate the harvest season and the beauty of the full moon.
Dates
Mid-Autumn Festival will be celebrated in China on 2023-09-29, 2024-09-17, 2025-10-06, 2026-09-25, 2027-09-15 in the comming years.