Mid Autumn Festival story and how Chinese celebrate it

Summary

The legend of the Mid-Autumn Festival revolves around the tale of Chong and her husband Howie, who saved the world from scorching heat by shooting down nine suns. Rewarded with an elixir of immortality, Chong consumed it to protect it from thieves, becoming the Moon Goddess. The festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is celebrated with family feasts, moon gazing, and eating moon cakes, symbolizing unity and remembrance. It has evolved into a harvest festival akin to Thanksgiving, with lantern shows and prayers for happiness.

Takeaways

• 🌞 The legend of Chong and Howie involves ten suns causing unbearable heat on Earth.
• 🏹 Howie, a skilled archer, shot down nine suns to save the Earth from scorching heat, becoming a national hero.
• 💊 As a reward, Howie received an elixir of immortality, but it was only enough for one person.
• 🌕 To protect the elixir from thieves, Chong consumed it and ascended to the moon, becoming the Moon Goddess.
• 🌙 Howie mourned his wife by offering to the moon and looking for her silhouette on its surface.
• 🥮 The Chinese celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival by eating moon-shaped desserts called moon cakes.
• 🌕 The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival and is associated with moon worship.
• 🍽️ This festival has evolved into a family holiday akin to Thanksgiving, celebrated with large family dinners.
• 🎑 The festival includes activities like viewing the moon, exchanging gifts, and attending lantern shows.
• 🏮 People also fly lanterns during the festival to pray for happiness and prosperity for themselves and their families.
• 🔎 For more information about the Mid-Autumn Festival, one can search 'China highlights Mid-Autumn Festival'.

Q & A

Who is the main female character in the legend of the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The main female character in the legend is Chong, also known as Chang'e.

What was Howie's profession in the legend?

Howie was a brilliant archer in the legend.

Why were the people on earth suffering in the legend?

The people on earth were suffering due to the blistering heat caused by ten suns in the sky.

How many suns did Howie shoot down with his bow and arrow according to the legend?

Howie shot down nine of the ten suns to save the earth from the intense heat.

What did Howie receive as a reward for his heroic act?

Howie received an elixir of immortality as a reward for saving the people from the heat of multiple suns.

Why did Chong consume the elixir of immortality?

Chong consumed the elixir of immortality to protect it from thieves and ended up flying to the moon.

What title did Chong receive after consuming the elixir and flying to the moon?

Chong became known as the Moon Goddess after consuming the elixir and flying to the moon.

How did Howie remember and honor his wife Chong after she became the Moon Goddess?

Howie made an offering to the moon and tried to find the shape of Chong on the moon to remember her.

What is the significance of moon cakes in the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Moon cakes are moon-shaped desserts that Chinese people eat to worship the moon and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

What activities are commonly associated with the modern celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Modern celebrations of the Mid-Autumn Festival include having a large family dinner, viewing the moon, exchanging gifts, traveling, viewing lantern shows, and flying lanterns to pray for happiness.

How is the Mid-Autumn Festival related to the harvest?

The Mid-Autumn Festival is also a harvest festival, which is a time to celebrate the fruits of the harvest and share them with family and friends.