Table of Contents
Mid-Autumn Festival
Origin
The origin of Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Mid-Autumn Festival can date back to the Shang Dynasty . It was held to give thanks for the harvest and honor the moon. By the Zhou Dynasty, it became a formal ritual on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The full moon symbolizes family reunion and prosperity. The festival is also enriched by legends like Chang’e flying to the moon.
Mid-Autumn Festival rituals.
| Pomelo is a large citrus fruit popular during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese culture. It has a thick green or yellow peel and sweet, juicy flesh. People eat pomelos for their refreshing taste and also because they are a symbol of good luck and family unity. |  |
| Mooncakes are traditional Chinese pastries eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They are usually round and filled with lotus seed paste, red bean, or salted egg yolk. Mooncakes represent reunion and are often shared with family under the full moon. |  |
Other Information
- Mooncakes used to carry secret messages.
- In ancient China, mooncakes were used to hide notes during a rebellion against the Mongols.
- Pomelo hats are a tradition.
- In Taiwan, children sometimes wear pomelo rinds as hats for fun during the festival.
- It’s celebrated in many countries.
- Besides China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also celebrated in Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and Malaysia, each with its own customs.
- The full moon is a symbol of reunion.
Families gather to admire the moon, as it represents completeness and togetherness.
- Lanterns aren’t just decorations.
In some places, people write riddles on lanterns for others to solve—this is called “lantern riddles.”
✨It’s a time to reunite with family and give thanks for the harvest and good fortune.