Are you familiar with the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival, known in Chinese as中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié) , is one of the most important and beloved festivals in China. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the fifteenth day of the eighth month marks the midpoint of autumn, hence its name. This festival is an evening celebration where families gather to light lanterns, eat mooncakes, and admire the full moon, which on this night appears rounder and brighter than at any other time of year. The full moon is a symbol of family reunion, so this day is also known as the Reunion Festival .

What is the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations date back more than 2,000 years. In feudal times, Chinese emperors prayed to Heaven for a prosperous year. They chose the morning of the fifteenth day of the second lunar month to worship the sun and the night of the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month to hold ceremonies honoring the moon. In the western district of Beijing lies Yuetan Park, which was originally the Temple of the Moon, and every year the emperor would go there to offer sacrifices to the moon.

This ancient custom became popular during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when people began to enjoy and venerate the full moon. However, it was during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) that round mooncakes began to be sent to relatives as gifts, expressing best wishes for family reunions. At nightfall, people would gaze at the silvery moon or stroll around lakes to celebrate the festival.

From the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, the Mid-Autumn Festival became extremely popular. Along with the celebration, special customs arose in different parts of the country, such as burning incense, planting mid-autumn trees, lighting lanterns on towers, and performing fire dragon dances. At that time, whenever the festival arrived, people would look up at the full moon, toast with wine to celebrate, toast to future prosperity, or think of their loved ones far away, sending them their best wishes.

In mid-autumn, farmers had just finished harvesting their crops and picking fruit from the orchards. They were surely overwhelmed with joy at the bountiful harvest and, at the same time, experienced relief after a year of hard work. Thus, the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month became a festival widely celebrated by the common people.

Discover the Legend of Chang E and Hou Yi!

Since the Mid-Autumn Festival originally stems from the worship of the moon goddess, there are many stories and legends that explain the purpose of this veneration. The most famous is that of "Chang E Flying to the Moon." The legend relates the following:

Chang'e's husband, Hou Yi , received the elixir of immortality as a reward for destroying the nine extra suns that tormented humanity. However, he didn't want to become immortal alone and leave his wife on Earth, so he entrusted the elixir to Chang'e for safekeeping. Unfortunately, one of Hou Yi's apprentices learned of the elixir. On the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, while Hou Yi was out hunting, this follower snuck into his house intending to force Chang'e to hand over the elixir. In desperation, Chang'e drank the elixir, became immortal, and, unable to control herself, left Earth for the heavens. Not wanting to be so far from her husband, she flew to the moon, the closest point to Earth in the sky. From then on, Hou Yi, hoping to reunite with her and comfort his wife, presented mooncakes every 15th day of the eighth lunar month.

Interesting Facts

Although many people know the main aspects of the festival, there are fascinating details that are not so widely publicized:

1. The designs on the surface of mooncakes often have specific meanings, such as the Chinese characters for "longevity" or "harmony." Historically, they were used in a crucial way: during the rebellion against the Mongol Yuan dynasty, secret messages outlining the insurrection plan were hidden inside the cakes, but not engraved on them.
2. The Jade Rabbit on the Moon: Another popular legend tells of a jade rabbit that lives on the moon, grinding medicinal herbs with a mortar and pestle. This image is a recurring motif in the art and poetry associated with the festival. This rabbit is also said to be Chang'e's companion.
3. Traditional female rituals: Historically, in some regions of China, women performed private moon worship ceremonies ("拜月", bài yuè) to honor Chang'e. In these rituals, they prayed for beauty, wisdom, and a harmonious marriage, reflecting the goddess's role as a celestial feminine figure.
4. The Fire Dragon of Hong Kong: One of the most spectacular traditions takes place in the Tai Hang district of Hong Kong. There, for three nights, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is celebrated. A 70-meter-long dragon, constructed from poles and thousands of lit incense sticks, dances through the streets to bless the community and ward off a 19th-century plague.

How is this festival celebrated outside of mainland China?

The Mid-Autumn Festival transcends borders and is celebrated with variations in several countries in East and Southeast Asia, each with its own unique name and particularities:

Vietnam - Tết Trung Thu:

In Vietnam, the festival is known as Tết Trung Thu and is heavily focused on children. Besides eating mooncakes (called bánh trung thu ), there are parades with lion dances, and lanterns of various shapes are given to children. Vietnamese legends often center on the story of Chú Cuội, a man trapped on the moon with a fig tree, and also on Hằng Nga (the Vietnamese version of Chang'e).

Korea - Chuseok:

In Korea, Chuseok is one of the most important holidays of the year. Although it coincides with the same lunar cycle, its main focus is thanking ancestors for a good harvest. Families visit their hometowns, perform ancestral ceremonies, and eat songpyeon , crescent-shaped rice cakes filled with sweet ingredients. Unlike the Chinese festival, moon-viewing is not the central element.

Japan - Tsukimi:

In Japan, the celebration is called Tsukimi (月見, "moon viewing") or Otsukimi . It is a quieter, more contemplative festival. People gather to admire the autumn full moon and offer dango (stacked white rice balls) and seasonal fruits as offerings. Chinese mooncakes are not eaten; instead, round foods symbolizing the moon and fullness are enjoyed.

Singapore and Malaysia:

In these multicultural nations, the festival is celebrated not only by the Chinese community but also attracts other ethnic groups. Local mooncakes often incorporate modern flavors and local influences, such as durian or chocolate. Lanterns are lit in public parks, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages.

Taiwan:

In Taiwan, the celebration is very similar to that in mainland China, but with a special emphasis on outdoor family barbecues. Families and friends gather in backyards, on rooftops, or in parks to barbecue under the moonlight—a modern tradition that has become extremely popular and a defining part of the holiday on the island.

Conclusion

The Mid-Autumn Festival is much more than a simple holiday; it is a profound cultural symbol that intertwines mythology, agricultural history, and the human yearning for connection and belonging. From its ancient imperial rites to the vibrant modern celebrations in many countries, it continues to evolve while maintaining its essence: bringing people together under the light of a shared moon, reminding them that no matter the distance, there is always a home to return to and a tradition that binds them together.