Festive China: Mid-Autumn Festival

Summary

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, is a traditional Chinese holiday that centers around the moon. It is a time for family reunions, symbolized by the full moon. The festival is marked by the custom of eating mooncakes, which come in various traditional and modern flavors. A highlight of the celebration is the 'Three Pools Mirroring the Moon' in Hangzhou's West Lake, where the moon's reflection creates a mesmerizing spectacle. The festival also commemorates the legend of Hou Yi and his wife Chang'e, inspiring China's lunar exploration program. As the moon signifies completeness and happiness, the Mid-Autumn Festival remains a cherished time for reflection and togetherness.

Takeaways

• 🌕 The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, focusing on the moon and its beauty.
• 🏞️ West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, is renowned for its 'Three Pools Mirroring the Moon', a unique phenomenon during the festival.
• 🌙 The 'Three Pools Mirroring the Moon' is a natural spectacle where the moon's reflection appears multiple times due to the hollow stone towers in West Lake.
• 💊 The festival's origin is tied to the legend of Hou Yi, who shot down nine of ten suns to save the world, and his wife Chang'e, who ascended to the moon after consuming an elixir.
• 🚀 China's moon exploration project is named after the legend of Chang'e, with the Chang'e 4 lander achieving the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important festival in China after the Spring Festival, symbolizing family reunion.
• 🥮 Eating mooncakes is a significant custom during the Mid-Autumn Festival, with traditional flavors like five kernel, egg yolk, and bean paste.
• 🍦 Modern mooncake flavors have diversified to include ice cream and durian, reflecting changing tastes while maintaining the festival's symbolism.
• 🌟 The roundness of the full moon during the festival represents the desire for a complete and happy family.
• 🌱 The Double Ninth Festival, symbolizing renewable growth and cherishing the past, follows shortly after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month?

The 15th day of the 8th lunar month is significant as it marks the Mid-Autumn Festival, a celebration that focuses on the moon and enjoying its beauty.

Why is the West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, a popular spot for moon viewing?

The West Lake in Hangzhou is known for its 'Three Pools Mirroring the Moon', a phenomenon where three hollow stone towers reflect the moon's light, creating 15 moons across the water's surface, making it a great spot for appreciating the full moon.

What is the legend behind the Mid-Autumn Festival involving Hou Yi and his wife, Chang'e?

According to the legend, Hou Yi shot down nine of the ten suns to save the world from extreme heat. As a reward, he received an elixir from the Queen Mother of the West. His wife, Chang'e, accidentally consumed it and became immortal, ascending to the moon where she could only watch the human world.

How is the Mid-Autumn Festival related to China's moon exploration project?

China's moon exploration project is named after the story of Chang'e, and on January 3rd, 2019, the Chang'e 4 probe successfully landed on the moon and returned the world's first close-range image of the dark side of the moon.

What is the symbolic meaning of the full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes reunion and wholeness, expressing people's desire for a happy and complete family.

What is the importance of eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Eating mooncakes is an important custom during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it represents the custom of longing for reunion. The mooncakes' round shape mirrors the full moon.

How do traditional mooncake flavors differ from modern ones?

Traditional mooncake flavors include fillings such as five kernel, egg yolk, and bean paste. Modern flavors have expanded to include ice cream and durian, reflecting changing tastes while maintaining the symbolic meaning of the festival.

What is the Double Ninth Festival, and how does it relate to the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Double Ninth Festival, also known as the 'Chongyang Festival', is a festival of renewal and growth, and it is celebrated shortly after the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is a time to cherish the past and respect the elderly.

Why is the Mid-Autumn Festival considered the second most important festival in China after the Spring Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival is considered the second most important festival in China after the Spring Festival because it symbolizes family reunion and is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and tradition.

How do regional dietary habits influence the variety of mooncakes in China?

Different regions in China have varying dietary habits, which leads to a diversity in mooncake flavors. This results in a wide range of traditional and modern mooncake flavors that cater to local tastes.