by LYIS
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar when the moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest, which is today, the 19th of September, 2024.
Historical Origins
The Mid-Autumn Festival has a history of over 3,000 years, dating back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE). The festival originally marked the end of the autumn harvest and was a time for farmers to give thanks to the moon for providing a good harvest. People would worship the moon, offering sacrifices and praying for abundance and protection.
Legends and Myths
Over time, the Mid-Autumn Festival became associated with various myths and folklore, the most famous being the legend of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. According to the myth:
* Chang’e and Hou Yi: Hou Yi was a skilled archer who saved the world by shooting down nine of the ten suns that scorched the Earth. As a reward, he was given an elixir of immortality. However, Hou Yi did not want to leave his wife, Chang’e, behind, so he hid the elixir. One day, when Hou Yi was away, a villain named Peng Meng tried to steal the elixir. To prevent the elixir from falling into the wrong hands, Chang’e drank it herself and floated to the moon, where she had lived ever since.
In honour of Chang’e, people worship the moon during the festival, offering mooncakes and lighting lanterns. The round shape of the moon and mooncakes symbolises family reunion and completeness.
Cultural Significance
Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions, much like Thanksgiving in Western cultures. Families come together to share meals, admire the full moon, and enjoy mooncakes, a traditional pastry that symbolises unity. Lanterns are also lit as part of the celebration, symbolising hope and good fortune.
As the moon reaches its fullest, LYIS team and WildChina Education wish your life to be filled with completeness and joy, you and your family a wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival!
