The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The festival typically corresponds to mid-September to early October in the Gregorian calendar.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival. This is a traditional Chinese celebration that takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Typically it falls between mid-September and early October. In 2024, it will be celebrated on September 17. Moreover, this festival marks the end of the harvest season and is an occasion for families to gather, share mooncakes, and appreciate the beauty of the full moon.
China Cultural Center in Pakistan in collaboration with the Culture Office of the embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan, launched a series of online activities to celebrate the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival: ‘A Moon Moment to Remember’ in Pakistan and for people around the world.
History and Significance
The festival has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, with its origins dating back to the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BCE). People would gather to celebrate the autumn harvest under the bright, full moon. The moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest during this time, symbolizing family unity, harmony, and prosperity.
Traditions and Activities
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, families come together to eat mooncakes, a round pastry filled with sweet bean paste, egg yolk, or lotus seeds. The round shape of the mooncake represents completeness and unity, making it a symbol of family togetherness.
Another important tradition is the lighting of lanterns. People carry brightly lit lanterns of various shapes and sizes or release sky lanterns to light up the night sky. Lantern riddles are a popular game where participants write riddles on lanterns and others try to guess the answers.
The festival is also tied to the legendary story of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. According to the story, Chang’e was a beautiful woman who was given a pill of immortality by her husband, Hou Yi, a skilled archer. When Hou Yi’s apprentice tried to steal the pill, Chang’e swallowed it to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. As a result, she ascended to the moon and became the goddess of the moon.
Similar Festivals
Similar festivals are celebrated in other East Asian countries:
- In Korea, it’s called Chuseok, a time for families to give thanks for the harvest.
- In Vietnam, it is known as Tết Trung Thu or the Children’s Festival. In this festival, children carry lanterns and sing traditional songs.
- In Japan, a related festival called Tsukimi, or “moon viewing,” is held around the same time.
So people around the world, have a happy and blissful “Mid-Autumn Festival”!
