The Mid-Autumn Festival is a Chinese holiday that celebrates the beginning of the harvest season and the return of spring. It is the most important festival of the year in the Chinese calendar. This is a traditional celebration in which families and friends come together, exchange gifts and eat delicious food. Some of the popular foods eaten during this time are rice, pork, chicken, mushrooms and pumpkins.
Mooncakes
Mooncakes are one of the most popular Mid-Autumn Festival treats. They are round, shaped cookies with a variety of fillings.
A traditional Chinese mooncake has a white crust, which is made by mixing flour with baking soda. The mooncake is then baked until it becomes golden brown. It is then wrapped in an airtight wrapper.
The traditional filling for Chinese mooncakes is lotus paste, but other varieties are available, such as egg custard, chocolate, or durian paste. Non-traditional fillings are becoming increasingly popular.
These treats are often sold in elegant gift boxes. Many leading brands have unique packaging.
The price of mooncakes can fluctuate due to high premium ingredients, festive mentality, and fanciful packaging. The demand for these treats is not limited to China. In fact, many Southeast Asian countries have their own versions.
The tradition of sharing mooncakes on the Mid-Autumn Festival is a central component of Chinese culture. It symbolizes family unity. This holiday is also a time to celebrate the harvest and to honor the full moon.
In addition to eating a large meal, the Mid-Autumn Festival involves family reunions. It is common to see lanterns during celebrations, which are traditionally handmade from paper.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in different parts of China. Different regions have their own rituals. During the festival, Chinese people gather for a big meal and feast on mooncakes.
Traditional Chinese lanterns
In Chinese culture, traditional lanterns symbolize good fortune. They are also used to create an festive atmosphere. Lanterns are used to decorate houses and homes and to celebrate festivals and events. These handicrafts are often made from bamboo, wood, and paper.
Lanterns can be used to make a beautiful scene at night, or they can be used to pray for good luck and happiness. The shape and color of the lantern are important factors. There are lanterns that resemble dragons, plants, and animals.
In ancient times, lanterns were the most common form of lighting. During the reign of the Zhou Dynasty, they were made of stone, bronze, and pottery. However, they became more decorative as time passed. Some lanterns were even floating.
Now, lanterns are primarily used as ornaments and as handicrafts. Chinese people use them to mark the Mid-Autumn Festival, a harvest festival. It is believed that lanterns symbolise the happy reunion of families.
A Mid-Autumn Festival lantern may be shaped like a flower, a plant, or an animal. If the lantern has a writing inside, it is usually used for prayer, prayers for the health of a loved one, or a wish for prosperity and joy.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people release lanterns into the sky. Lanterns are decorated with Chinese characters and hung in the trees or in the heights of the house.
Myth and story of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese is a festival that celebrates the end of the harvest. It’s a holiday where families gather together to appreciate the moon and give thanks for bounty. While the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival isn’t known, it’s been around for a few thousand years.
In Chinese culture, the moon is associated with fertility, health, and luck. On the Mid- Autumn Festival, Chinese people place offerings before the moon to show their respect.
One of the oldest myths surrounding the Mid-Autumn Festival involves the legendary archer Hou Yi. Hou Yi was a skilled archer who married the Chinese Moon Goddess, Chang’e.
According to legend, Hou Yi was given a magical elixir from heaven that allowed him to become immortal. He would then be able to reunite with his wife.
The myth of Hou Yi and Chang’e is one of the most widely told Mid-Autumn Festival stories. But it’s not the only story. There are many other legends as well. Some stories are based on other celestial figures, like the jade rabbit, which is often mentioned during this celebration.
Another story is that of the ancient Chinese emperors. Many ancient emperors held feasts to honor deities. They also prayed for good fortune.
