Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival In 2024 Is Coming

The Mid-Autumn Festival in 2024 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17, Beijing time. It is a traditional festival celebrated by the whole country and a legal holiday. It is usually held together with the weekend to form a small holiday. The Mid-Autumn Festival this year is on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, and the zodiac sign is dragon. This day is not only a full moon night in astronomical phenomena, but also an important moment for the emotional and cultural inheritance of the Chinese nation.

The origin and significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the ancient worship of the moon, which can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty and was officially designated as a festival in the Tang Dynasty. It is not only a season to celebrate the harvest, but also a time for family reunion and sustenance. As the ancients said: “The bright moon rises on the sea, and the world is at this time.” The Mid-Autumn Festival has become one of the most representative traditional festivals of the Chinese nation with its unique cultural connotations.
How modern Chinese celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival
Moon-watching and reunion
Moon-watching is one of the most important traditional customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, no matter where people are, they will look up at the bright moon and express their thoughts and blessings for their families. Modern families usually arrange time in advance to return home to reunite with their loved ones and share the joy of family. People can be seen admiring the moon on rooftops and balconies in cities, or in fields and mountains in rural areas.
Eating mooncakes
As a symbolic food of the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes can be traced back to the Song Dynasty. Today, there are many types of mooncakes with different flavors, from traditional red bean paste and lotus paste to modern innovative flavors such as ice cream and chocolate. Family members sitting together and tasting delicious mooncakes not only satisfy the enjoyment of taste buds, but also imply family harmony and happiness. In addition, mooncakes are often given as gifts to relatives and friends, conveying festival blessings and friendship.
Lanterns and colored lights
Releasing lanterns is another activity that is deeply loved by children during the Mid-Autumn Festival. All kinds of lanterns are lit up at night, like stars, illuminating the night sky and the smiling faces of children. In public places such as parks and squares, lantern exhibitions are also held to decorate the city like a poem and a picture. These lanterns and colored lights not only add to the festive atmosphere, but also express people’s yearning and pursuit for a better life.
Worshiping the moon and praying for blessings
On the night of the full moon, there is a folk custom of worshiping the moon. People will set up a table in the courtyard, put fruits, moon cakes and other offerings, and pray to the moon for peace, health, happiness and other good wishes. With the development of technology, online blessing has gradually become a new way. People convey blessings and thoughts to their relatives far away through social media, online platforms and other channels.
Rich cultural activities
In addition to traditional activities such as watching the moon and eating moon cakes, the modern Mid-Autumn Festival has also incorporated more colorful cultural activities. Such as poetry recitation, concerts, dance performances and other literary and artistic performances, as well as interactive games such as guessing lantern riddles and making moon cakes, so that people can feel the profoundness of Chinese culture while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

IV. The cultural connotation and contemporary value of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a festival, but also a cultural inheritance and emotional sustenance. It contains the Chinese nation’s desire for family reunion, yearning for a better life, and pursuit of harmonious coexistence with nature. On this special day, no matter where people are, they can feel the warmth and strength from the bottom of their hearts.

With the development of the times, the way of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival is also constantly innovating and evolving. But no matter how the form changes, the cultural connotation and national sentiment behind it remain unchanged. The Mid-Autumn Festival has become a bridge connecting the past and the future, tradition and modernity, allowing people to more deeply understand and inherit the excellent culture of the Chinese nation while celebrating the festival.

V. Conclusion
The Mid-Autumn Festival in 2024 is coming, which is a festival full of warmth and hope. On this special day, let us not forget our original aspirations and pass on the excellent culture of the Chinese nation; let us gather with our families and share the joy of family life; let us feel the festive atmosphere and cultural charm through activities such as appreciating the moon, eating moon cakes, and releasing lanterns.

What Is Mooncake?

Mooncakes: The Cultural Symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival
Among the many traditional festivals in China, the Mid-Autumn Festival has attracted much attention for its unique cultural connotations and rich celebration methods. Mooncakes, as an indispensable traditional food for the Mid-Autumn Festival, not only carry the weight of history, but also embody people’s yearning for reunion, happiness and a better life. This article will explore the profound heritage of this traditional delicacy from three aspects: the origin of mooncakes, the classification of mooncakes, and the meaning of mooncakes.

The Origin of Mooncakes
Although the name of mooncakes officially appeared in the Southern Song Dynasty, its historical origins can be traced back to earlier ancient times. According to historical records, as early as the Yin and Zhou dynasties, there was a snack called “Taishi Cake” in the areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Its edges were thin and its heart was thick, and it was regarded as the prototype of mooncakes. In the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian went to the Western Regions and introduced ingredients such as sesame and walnuts, adding new ingredients to the production of mooncakes. Round cakes with walnut kernels as fillings appeared, named “Hu Cake”.

The official connection between mooncakes and the Mid-Autumn Festival began in the Tang Dynasty. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan, accepted the Hu cake presented by a Turpan merchant and pointed to the moon with a smile, saying: “We should invite the toad to the Hu cake.” Although this action was a joke, it inadvertently linked the cake with the moon of Mid-Autumn Festival. Since then, eating Hu cakes has gradually become one of the customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, it was in the Song Dynasty that the cakes were truly called “moon cakes” and given the meaning of reunion. The term “moon cake” first appeared in “Dream Lianglu” by Wu Zimu of the Southern Song Dynasty, but at that time, moon cakes had various shapes and flavors and were not limited to eating during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

It was not until the Ming Dynasty that moon cakes really became the main food of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and a round shape and a symbol of reunion were formed. The Ming Dynasty’s “Imperial Capital Scenery” records: “On the 15th day of the eighth month, the moon cakes must be round.” During this period, the craftsmanship of moon cakes became increasingly sophisticated, not only with exquisite appearance, but also with more diverse flavors. At the same time, moon cakes also became gifts given to each other by the people, symbolizing reunion and blessings.

Another theory about the origin of mooncakes is related to the peasant uprising in the late Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty. It is said that Liu Bowen, Zhu Yuanzhang’s adviser, took advantage of the Mid-Autumn Festival when people gave each other round cakes and put information about the uprising in the cakes, and finally successfully overthrew the rule of the Yuan Dynasty. Although this theory is controversial, it reflects the process of the spread and evolution of mooncakes among the people from one aspect.

Classification of mooncakes
With the development of the times, the types and flavors of mooncakes have become increasingly diverse, forming local flavors with their own characteristics. According to the origin, there are mainly Cantonese mooncakes, Su-style mooncakes, Beijing-style mooncakes, Taiwanese mooncakes, Yunnan-style mooncakes, Chaozhou-style mooncakes, Anhui-style mooncakes, etc.; according to the taste, there are many choices such as sweet, salty, salty and sweet, spicy, etc.; according to the fillings, there are even more diverse flavors, including five nuts, red bean paste, lotus paste, egg yolk, osmanthus, dried plums, etc.; according to the crust, there are many types such as starch crust, mixed sugar crust, crispy crust, and cream crust; according to the shape, there are smooth and lace.

Cantonese mooncakes: famous for their thin skin, full fillings, and soft taste. The fillings of Cantonese mooncakes are rich and varied, with both traditional sweet fillings such as red bean paste and lotus paste, as well as innovative flavors such as ice skin and ice cream. The crust is mostly made of invert sugar syrup, with a golden color, oily and shiny.
Su-style mooncakes: famous for their crispy and crispy, layered crisps. The crust of Su-style mooncakes is composed of water-oil crust and oil-flavored crust. After multiple folding and rolling, a clear-cut crispy crust structure is formed. The fillings are mostly sweet and salty five-nut, red bean paste, etc.
Beijing-style mooncakes: exquisite appearance, thin and soft crust, and clear layers. The crust of Beijing-style mooncakes is mostly made of wheat flour, lard and other ingredients, with a delicate taste. Its fillings are rich and varied, with both traditional sweet fillings such as jujube paste and red bean paste, as well as innovative salty fillings such as meat floss and ham.
Taiwanese mooncakes: sweet taste, crispy and non-greasy crust, with a variety of nut flavors. The crust of Taiwanese mooncakes is mostly made of low-gluten flour and lard, with a crispy taste. The fillings are mostly sweet fillings such as lotus paste and red bean paste, and various nuts are often added to increase the taste and nutritional value.
Yunnan-style mooncakes: crispy crust and fillings, moderate sweetness and saltiness, and clear yellow color. The crust of Yunnan-style mooncakes is mostly made of Yunnan’s unique ham oil, which has a unique taste. The fillings are mostly salty fillings such as ham and Yunnan ham, and sweet seasonings such as honey and sugar are often added to balance the taste.
In addition, there are many local specialty mooncakes such as Chaozhou-style mooncakes, Anhui-style mooncakes, and Qin-style mooncakes. These mooncakes have their own characteristics, which not only enrich people’s taste buds experience, but also show the profoundness of Chinese food culture.

The meaning of mooncakes
As a traditional food for the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes not only have a delicious taste and rich nutritional value, but also carry profound cultural connotations and symbolic meanings.

Reunion: The round shape of mooncakes symbolizes reunion and completeness. On the day of family reunion during the Mid-Autumn Festival, eating mooncakes has become an important way to express family affection and longing. No matter where people are, they will taste mooncakes on this day to express their longing for their hometown and relatives. At the same time, sharing mooncakes also symbolizes harmony and unity among family members.
Traditional culture: Mooncakes are an important part of Chinese traditional culture. It carries the weight of history and the inheritance of culture. Every time you taste mooncakes, it is a review and tribute to traditional culture. Through the carrier of mooncakes, people can more deeply understand and feel the profoundness and unique charm of Chinese culture.
Sacrifice: In ancient society, the Mid-Autumn Festival was the day when people worshipped the moon god. And mooncakes were one of the offerings used to worship the moon god. By offering delicious mooncakes to the moon god, people expressed their awe and gratitude to the gods. At the same time, this also reflects the ancient people’s awe of nature and the universe and their yearning and pursuit for a better life.
Wealth and auspiciousness: The fillings and shapes of mooncakes often imply wealth and auspiciousness. For example, egg yolk symbolizes the full moon and brightness; lotus paste symbolizes perfection and auspiciousness; nuts symbolize harvest and celebration. These meanings not only add to the cultural connotation and symbolic meaning of mooncakes, but also express people’s yearning and pursuit for a better life.
Emotional communication: In modern society, mooncakes have become one of the important media for people’s emotional communication. Mooncakes are indispensable for gifts between friends and relatives or business exchanges between companies. By giving mooncakes, people can express blessings and care and enhance friendship and cooperation with each other.
In summary, mooncakes, as a traditional food for the Mid-Autumn Festival, not only have delicious taste and rich nutritional value, but also carry profound cultural connotations and symbolic meanings. It is not only a way for people to enjoy delicious food, but also an important way to inherit and promote Chinese traditional culture. In the days to come, let us continue to inherit and carry forward this traditional food culture and make mooncakes an important bridge connecting the past and the future, inheritance and innovation.

The Customs Of The Mid-Autumn Festival

As one of the four major traditional festivals in China, the Mid-Autumn Festival has rich and colorful customs, which not only reflects the profound cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, but also embodies people’s yearning and pursuit for a better life. The following is a detailed explanation of the main customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival:

Moon Appreciation
Moon appreciation is one of the most core customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. When night falls, a bright moon hangs high in the sky, and every household will go out, or climb a building to look into the distance, or live by the water, to appreciate this bright moon together. Moon appreciation activities not only allow people to appreciate the beauty of the moon, but also embodies people’s longing for their distant relatives and their yearning for a better life. In ancient times, the emperor had the ritual of worshiping the sun in spring and worshiping the moon in autumn, and the people also had the custom of worshiping the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the Tang Dynasty, moon appreciation and moon playing were quite popular during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and many poets had poems about the moon in their famous works. The activities of worshiping the moon and appreciating the moon in the court and among the people in the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties were more large-scale. People in different regions also hold moon appreciation activities according to local characteristics, such as the “Fire Dragon Dance” in the south.
Eating mooncakes
Eating mooncakes is another major custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival. As a traditional food of the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes symbolize reunion and happiness. There are many kinds of mooncakes, including Cantonese, Su, Beijing and other flavors, and the fillings are also rich and varied, including red bean paste, lotus paste, five kernels, egg yolks, etc. The custom of eating mooncakes originated from the ancient ritual of worshiping the moon, and later gradually evolved into a must-have festival food for every household during the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, families gather together to taste mooncakes, which not only adds to the festive atmosphere of the festival, but also expresses people’s desire for family reunion and wishes for a better life.
Lighting lanterns
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there is still a custom of lighting lanterns in many places. People will light lanterns or fly Kongming lanterns in the courtyard to express their thoughts for their loved ones and good wishes for the future. This custom not only adds to the festive atmosphere of the festival, but also reflects people’s pursuit of light and hope. In ancient times, people believed that lanterns could drive away evil and protect peace, so lighting lanterns on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival became a traditional custom. Now, although the material and shape of lanterns have changed a lot, this custom is still preserved and inherited and developed.
Appreciating osmanthus and drinking osmanthus wine
The Mid-Autumn Festival is when osmanthus is in full bloom, so appreciating osmanthus and drinking osmanthus wine have become a major custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The fragrance of osmanthus is refreshing; and osmanthus wine is brewed with osmanthus as the raw material, with a unique taste and aroma. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will gather together to appreciate osmanthus and taste osmanthus wine to feel the joy and warmth of the festival. At the same time, osmanthus also embodies people’s pursuit and praise for a sweet life, making this custom more poetic and romantic.
Playing with lanterns
Playing with lanterns is one of the traditional entertainment activities of the Mid-Autumn Festival. People will make lanterns of various shapes and sizes to decorate their homes or participate in activities such as lantern parades and competitions. Lanterns are made of various materials, including paper, plastic, glass, etc.; the shapes are also different, including animal shapes, plant shapes, and human shapes. On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival, people light lanterns and place them in the water to float or hang them high up to watch, in order to express their yearning and pursuit for a better life. In addition, some places have the custom of guessing lantern riddles. People will post riddles on lanterns for people to guess, which adds to the fun and interactivity of the festival.
Moon worship and moon worship
Moon worship and moon worship are one of the important rituals of Mid-Autumn Festival. In ancient times, people believed that the moon was a mysterious and noble natural object that could affect the growth of crops, the changes in tides, and even the misfortunes and blessings of the world. Therefore, every night of Mid-Autumn Festival, people would set up a table in the courtyard to worship the moon god in the air (called “moon worship” or “moon worship”), praying for the moon god to bless their family with peace, harvest and happiness. The moon worship ceremony usually includes setting up a table, placing offerings, burning incense, and bowing; moon worship refers to people’s behavior of paying homage to the moon god and praying for his blessing. Although the rituals of moon worship and moon worship have been gradually simplified or disappeared in modern society, this traditional custom is still preserved in some places.
Other customs
In addition to the customs mentioned above, there are many other interesting customs and activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival. For example:

Walking on the moon: In Wuhu, Anhui, there is a custom of “walking on the moon”. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, local women will make appointments to go out together. They will walk through the streets and alleys to look at the moon, or go to the wild to enjoy the moon and talk about love until late at night.
Stealing onions and vegetables: In some areas of Taiwan Province, there is a custom of “stealing onions and vegetables”. According to legend, if an unmarried girl steals vegetables or onions from other people’s vegetable gardens on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, it means that she will meet a good husband in the future. Therefore, unmarried girls in these areas will go together to steal onions and vegetables on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival to pray for a happy marriage.
Sending melons and touching melons: In Xiaogan, Hubei, there is a custom of “sending melons”. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, local people will give each other watermelons to express their blessings. In some places in Zhejiang, there is a custom of “touching melons”. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will touch the melons in the offerings to cut and eat them in order to pray for a child. If a woman has not given birth after three years of marriage, she must go to touch the melon and pray for early pregnancy and childbirth.
Mid-Autumn Night Tour: On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival in the Jiangnan region, people will go boating on the lake to enjoy the moon and the scenery and taste delicious food. This activity not only adds to the fun of the festival but also promotes emotional exchanges between people.
Summary
As one of the traditional festivals of the Chinese nation, the Mid-Autumn Festival has rich and colorful customs and profound meanings. Whether it is watching the moon, eating moon cakes, lighting lanterns, appreciating osmanthus and other customs, they all reflect the profound cultural heritage and national emotions of the Chinese nation. At the same time, these customs have become an indispensable part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, making this festival more charming and attractive. In modern society, with the development of society and cultural exchanges, the customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival are also constantly inherited and developed.

What Are The Legends About The Mid-Autumn Festival

The legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival are rich and varied, among which the most well-known are the stories of “Chang’e Flying to the Moon” and “Wu Gang Cutting the Osmanthus Tree”. The following is a detailed explanation of these two legends, as well as a brief introduction to other related legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Chang’e Flying to the Moon
“Chang’e Flying to the Moon” is one of the most famous Mid-Autumn Festival legends in ancient China. Its story has a long history and many versions, but the core plot is roughly the same.

Story Background
It is said that in ancient times, the hero Houyi shot down nine suns and saved the world from the suffering of the scorching sun, so he was rewarded by the Emperor of Heaven with the elixir of immortality. However, Houyi was reluctant to leave his wife Chang’e, so he gave the elixir of immortality to Chang’e for safekeeping.

Main plot
Safekeeping of the elixir: Chang’e hid the elixir of immortality at home, but this was known to Houyi’s apprentice Feng Meng. Feng Meng had evil intentions and wanted to seize the elixir for immortality.
Feng Meng forced the elixir: One day, Houyi went out hunting, and Feng Meng took the opportunity to break into Houyi’s house and forced Chang’e to hand over the elixir. Chang’e knew that she was no match for Feng Meng. In order to protect the elixir from falling into the hands of evil people, she resolutely swallowed the whole elixir.
Ascending to the Moon Palace: After swallowing the elixir, Chang’e’s body gradually became lighter, and she involuntarily floated off the ground and finally flew to the distant Moon Palace. Because of her deep longing for Hou Yi, Chang’e finally chose to land on the moon closest to the human world to live.
Hou Yi’s memorial: Hou Yi was heartbroken when he learned about this after returning home. He looked up at the bright moon in the night sky and found a vague figure in the moon that looked like Chang’e. So, every year on August 15, he would set up an incense table in the back garden to offer sacrifices to Chang’e in the Moon Palace.
Cultural influence
The story of “Chang’e flying to the moon” not only reflects the ancient people’s yearning and pursuit for a better life, but also expresses people’s praise and praise for loyal love. In addition, this story has also become one of the important sources of customs such as watching the moon and eating moon cakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Wu Gang Cuts Down the Osmanthus Tree
“Wu Gang Cuts Down the Osmanthus Tree” is another legend closely related to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Story Background
It is said that in the Moon Palace, in addition to Chang’e, there is also an immortal named Wu Gang. Because he violated the rules of heaven, he was punished by the Emperor of Heaven to go to the Moon Palace to cut down a osmanthus tree that could never be cut down.

Main plot
Violating the rules of heaven: Wu Gang was originally an immortal in the heavenly palace, but he violated the rules of heaven for some reason (the specific reason varies from version to version), and was punished by the Emperor of Heaven to work in the Moon Palace.
Cutting down the osmanthus tree: In the Moon Palace, Wu Gang was arranged to cut down a tall osmanthus tree. However, this osmanthus tree has magical powers. Whenever Wu Gang is about to cut it down, the tree will heal automatically. Therefore, Wu Gang can only repeat this endless labor day after day and year after year.
Lonely Watch: In the Moon Palace, in addition to cutting down osmanthus trees, Wu Gang has to endure endless loneliness and solitude. He often looked up at the stars, thinking of his relatives and friends on earth.
Cultural influence
The story of “Wu Gang cutting the osmanthus tree” not only reflects the ancient people’s praise and admiration for diligence and tenacity, but also reflects people’s deep thinking about the passage of time and the impermanence of life. In addition, this story is closely linked to the custom of moon-watching during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and has become an important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival culture.

Other Mid-Autumn Festival legends
In addition to “Chang’e flying to the moon” and “Wu Gang cutting the osmanthus tree”, there are many other interesting legends about the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Legend of the origin of Mid-Autumn Festival
Autumn Festival: The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the worship of celestial phenomena and evolved from the autumn festival in ancient times. The original “Moon Festival” was held on the day of “Autumn Equinox” in the 24 solar terms of the Ganzhi calendar, and was later adjusted to August 15 of the Xia calendar (Lunar calendar). According to the “Book of Rites”, August 15 of each year is an important festival of the year, also known as the “Mid-Autumn Festival”. On this day, people will pray to the moon god and perform sacrificial ceremonies.
Local legends
Chaoshan Tower Burning: At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, in order to keep pace with the rebels in the surrounding areas, the Chaoshan people, according to a secret agreement in advance, built a tower with tiles and burned a fire in an open area on August 15 as a signal for the uprising. Later, this custom was preserved and developed into the custom of burning towers during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hong Kong Fire Dragon Dance: According to legend, a long time ago, after the typhoon in Tai Hang District, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, a giant python appeared and did evil. After the villagers subdued the python, a plague broke out. The elders in the village were told by the Bodhisattva in their dreams that dancing with a fire dragon could drive away the plague. Since then, the custom of dancing with a fire dragon has been passed down every Mid-Autumn Festival.
Jade Rabbit Pounding Medicine: According to legend, when Chang’e was lonely in the Moon Palace, she turned into a jade rabbit and accompanied the toad in the Moon Palace. The jade rabbit was also responsible for pounding the elixir of immortality in the Moon Palace for Chang’e to take. This legend also adds more mystery and romance to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
IV. Summary
As one of the four major traditional festivals in China, the Mid-Autumn Festival contains rich cultural connotations and profound historical heritage. Whether it is the loyal love of “Chang’e flying to the moon” or the hard work and perseverance of “Wu Gang cutting the cassia tree”, they all reflect the traditional virtues and values of the Chinese nation. At the same time, these legends also add more fun and mystery to the Mid-Autumn Festival, allowing people to feel more cultural charm and emotional resonance when celebrating this festival.

What Is Mid-Autumn Festival?

Mid-Autumn Festival, as one of the traditional festivals of the Chinese nation, carries a profound cultural heritage and rich emotional connotations. It has a long history and a wide and far-reaching influence. To fully explain the Mid-Autumn Festival, we need to analyze it from multiple dimensions such as its origin, development, customs, cultural connotations, and its significance in modern society.

The origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival
There are many theories about the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the most well-known of which is its connection with the ancient custom of worshiping the moon. In ancient China, moon worship was a common phenomenon. People believed that the moon was a mysterious and noble natural object that could affect the growth of crops, the changes in tides, and even the misfortunes and blessings of the world. Therefore, the ancients often held sacrificial activities on the night of the full moon to pray for a good harvest, peace, and reunion. This custom gradually combined with the specific date of the 15th day of the eighth lunar month to form the prototype of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In addition, the formation of the Mid-Autumn Festival is also related to the ritual of the ancient emperors worshiping the moon. As early as the Zhou Dynasty, there were rituals of worshiping the sun on the spring equinox, worshiping the earth on the summer solstice, worshiping the moon on the autumn equinox, and worshiping the sky on the winter solstice. Although the original moon worship was not set on August 15, as time went by, this date was gradually fixed and became a festival celebrated by the whole nation.

The development of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The development of the Mid-Autumn Festival is a long and complex process, which integrates cultural elements and folk beliefs from multiple historical periods. In the Tang Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival began to become an officially recognized festival and was called the “Reunion Festival”, which was inseparable from the concept of family reunion in the society at that time. After the Song Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival became more popular, and customs such as moon watching and moon cake eating gradually formed and spread to this day. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Mid-Autumn Festival had become an important national festival, and various celebrations were rich and colorful, such as moon watching, poetry reciting, sky lanterns, and fire dragon dancing, showing the diversity and inclusiveness of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival
Moon watching
Moon watching is one of the most core customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. When night falls, a bright moon hangs high in the sky, and every household will go out, or climb a building to look into the distance, or live by the water, to enjoy this bright moon together. People use this to express their longing for their relatives far away, and also express their yearning and pursuit for a better life.
Eating mooncakes
Mooncakes are a traditional food of the Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolizing reunion and happiness. There are many kinds of mooncakes, including Cantonese, Suzhou, Beijing and other flavors, and the fillings are also rich and varied, including red bean paste, lotus paste, five kernels, egg yolks, etc. The custom of eating mooncakes originated from the ancient ritual of worshiping the moon, and later gradually evolved into a must-have festival food for every household during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Lighting lanterns
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, many places still have the custom of lighting lanterns. People will light lanterns or fly Kongming lanterns in the courtyard to express their thoughts for their relatives and good wishes for the future. This custom not only adds to the festive atmosphere of the festival, but also reflects people’s pursuit of light and hope.
Appreciating osmanthus and drinking osmanthus wine
The Mid-Autumn Festival is when osmanthus is in full bloom, so appreciating osmanthus and drinking osmanthus wine have also become a major custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The fragrance of osmanthus is refreshing and refreshing; osmanthus wine is brewed with osmanthus as raw material, with a unique taste and aroma, and is deeply loved by people.

IV. Cultural connotation of Mid-Autumn Festival

Reunion culture
The core cultural connotation of Mid-Autumn Festival is reunion. During this festival, no matter where people are, they will express their thoughts and concerns for their loved ones in various ways. This desire and pursuit for reunion reflects the profound family concept and family awareness of the Chinese nation. At the same time, the reunion culture of Mid-Autumn Festival also promotes social harmony and stability, and enhances national cohesion and centripetal force.
Gratitude culture
Mid-Autumn Festival is also a festival of gratitude. During this festival, people will thank nature for the gifts and the blessings of their ancestors, and will also be grateful for the care and support of their relatives and friends. This gratitude culture embodies the traditional virtues and humanistic feelings of the Chinese nation, and also promotes emotional exchanges and spiritual communication between people.
Harmonious culture
Mid-Autumn Festival also contains the connotation of harmonious culture. During this festival, people create a harmonious, warm and beautiful festival atmosphere through customs such as moon watching, eating moon cakes and lighting lanterns. This harmonious culture is not only reflected in the unity and harmony within the family, but also in the harmonious coexistence of all levels of society. It promotes social stability and prosperity, and also shows the traditional virtues and humanistic spirit of the Chinese nation.

V. The significance of Mid-Autumn Festival in modern society
With the changes of the times and the development of society, Mid-Autumn Festival still has important significance in modern society. First of all, as one of the traditional festivals of the Chinese nation, it carries rich historical and cultural connotations and national emotional memories, and is an important carrier for inheriting and promoting the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. Secondly, Mid-Autumn Festival is also a festival that promotes family reunion and social harmony. During this festival, people can put aside their busy work and study, spend a good time with their families, and enhance family affection and friendship; at the same time, they can also participate in various social welfare activities and cultural activities to contribute their own strength to building a harmonious society. Finally, Mid-Autumn Festival is also a festival that showcases the innovative spirit and contemporary style of the Chinese nation. On the basis of retaining traditional customs, people continue to innovate and develop, giving Mid-Autumn Festival new contemporary connotations and forms of expression.

In short, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival full of charm and emotion. It not only carries the long history and culture of the Chinese nation and the national emotional memory, but also shows the traditional virtues and humanistic spirit of the Chinese nation. In modern society, the Mid-Autumn Festival still has important significance and value, which is worth our continued inheritance and promotion.