Mid-Autumn Festival in China

Date: The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Zhongqiu Jie, is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar with full moon at night, corresponding to late September to early October of the Gregorian calendar.

History: The festival has a history dating back over 3,000 years, rooted in moon worship and marking the end of the autumn harvest. It became a popular celebration during the early Tang Dynasty and was solidified as an official festival during the Song Dynasty.

Traditions:

• Mooncakes: Eating mooncakes is perhaps the most iconic tradition associated with this festival. These are round pastries filled with sweet or savory fillings such as lotus seed paste or red bean paste.
• Viewing the Moon: Families gather to admire what's believed to be the fullest moon of the year. Legends associated with this practice include stories about Chang'e, the Moon Goddess of Immortality.
• Lanterns: People light lanterns which can be very elaborate and carry them or float them on bodies of water.
• Reunion Dinners: Similar to many other Chinese celebrations, family reunions are an important part of Mid-Autumn Festival. People may travel long distances to join their loved ones for dinner.

Activities:

• Sharing mooncakes among family and friends.
• Engaging in traditional games and activities such as dragon or lion dances, and carrying brightly lit lanterns often shaped like animals or other objects.
• Making wishes for prosperity and good fortune for the coming year.