Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)

About This Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals. Also known as the Moon Festival, it celebrates the autumn harvest and features family reunions, moon gazing, and eating mooncakes. The full moon symbolizes unity and completeness.

History & Origin

The festival dates back over 3,000 years to moon worship in the Shang Dynasty. The most famous legend tells of Chang'e, who drank an elixir of immortality and flew to the moon, where she lives in the Moon Palace with a jade rabbit. Her husband, Hou Yi, an archer hero, looks up at the moon missing her every Mid-Autumn Festival.

Traditions & Customs

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Eating Mooncakes: Round pastries symbolizing family reunion and completeness

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Moon Gazing: Admiring the full moon with family members

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Lantern Displays: Children carry colorful lanterns in various shapes

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Family Reunions: Coming together for dinner and celebration

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Offering to the Moon: Presenting fruits and mooncakes to the moon goddess

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Sharing Stories: Telling legends of Chang'e and the Jade Rabbit

Traditional Foods

Mooncakes (月饼)

Round pastries with sweet or savory fillings, often with salted egg yolk

Pomelos

Large citrus fruits symbolizing prosperity and family unity

Osmanthus Wine

Sweet wine made from osmanthus flowers that bloom during the festival

Duck and Crab

Seasonal delicacies representing the autumn harvest

Festival Activities

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Gathering with family for reunion dinner under the full moon

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Eating mooncakes and sharing them with relatives and friends

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Children carrying lanterns in processions

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Playing with traditional toys and solving moon-themed riddles

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Making wishes and prayers while looking at the full moon

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Fire dragon dances in some regions