Mid Autumn Festival
The Mid Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It is celebrated on the full moon of the lunar month, and is a time for families to come together to celebrate. It is also known as the moon festival, due to the fact that the night of the festival is when the full moon is at its brightest and most beautiful.
History of Mid Autumn Festival
The Mid Autumn Festival has a long history, with its roots dating back to the Zhou Dynasty in China (1046-256 BC). It was originally a harvest festival, as it coincided with the end of the main agricultural harvest season. People would give thanks to the gods for the good harvest, and offer sacrifices such as livestock, fruit, and vegetables.
As the years passed, the festival became more and more popular, and people began to use it as an opportunity to celebrate and come together with their families. People would light lanterns and paper decorations, and exchange moon cakes. It is now celebrated all over the world, and is a time of reflection, gratitude, and joy for many families.
Traditions of Mid Autumn Festival
The Mid Autumn Festival is known for its many traditions. One of the most popular traditions is that of eating moon cakes. Moon cakes are round pastries filled with sweet or savory fillings such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste, and nuts. They are often decorated with auspicious symbols such as the Chinese character for “double happiness”. Eating moon cakes is thought to bring luck and fortune in the coming year.
Another popular tradition is that of lighting lanterns. People will often set off sky lanterns, which are paper lanterns that float up into the sky. They are sometimes adorned with wishes and messages of hope, and are said to bring good luck.
Celebrations
The Mid Autumn Festival is celebrated in many different ways. People often gather in parks to admire the full moon, and take part in traditional activities such as dragon dances and lion dances. There are also many festivals and events that take place to celebrate the festival, such as lantern festivals and moon cake festivals.
Conclusion
The Mid Autumn Festival is a time for families to come together and celebrate. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and joy. With its long history and many traditions, the festival is a wonderful way to bring people together and create lasting memories.
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