Exploring the Traditions and Customs of Mid-Autumn Festival in English Writing
As one of the most important events in Chinese cultural and traditional calendar, Mid-Autumn Festival has been celebrated annually by millions of people across the world. Also known as the Moon Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. The festival is marked with various customs and traditions that make it one of the most unique and fascinating festivals in the world. In this essay, we will explore the traditions and customs of Mid-Autumn Festival in English writing.
One of the most well-known traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival is to enjoy and admire the full moon. It is believed that the moon during this time is the brightest and roundest of the whole year, symbolizing unity and completeness. People across China will come together on this day to admire and appreciate the moon both alone and with family and friends. To fully appreciate the moon, people will often decorate their homes with lanterns and hang them outside, which adds to the atmospheric ambiance of the event.
Another important tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival is eating mooncakes. Mooncakes are a type of pastry that originated in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and eating them during the Mid-Autumn Festival became popular during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Mooncakes are round, with various fillings such as lotus seed, jujube paste, and egg yolk, symbolizing completeness and harmony. Mooncakes are given as gifts to family and friends during this time, and this gift-giving tradition is still widely practiced today.
The Mid-Autumn Festival has a rich history, and the festival has many legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. One of the most popular is the legend of the moon goddess, Chang'e. According to the legend, Chang'e became a goddess after drinking an elixir of immortality intended for her husband, Houyi. In addition to this legend, there are also stories about the rabbit and the woodcutter, which add to the rich oral history of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Other customs that are frequently associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival include lighting candles, burning incense, and making wishes. These are all activities that are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness to the person who participates in them. For example, lighting candles and burning incense is believed to bring a longer life to the burner. Making wishes is also considered to be an important custom in the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is believed that if you make a wish during the Mid-Autumn Festival, you will be assured everlasting luck.
In Chinese culture, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions. It is common for families to gather together to enjoy the festival's activities and share their thoughts and feelings with each other. Families will often prepare a feast of traditional food, such as mooncakes, pomeloes, and a variety of fruits. During this time, people will often share their feelings of gratitude and thankfulness for the blessings that they have received throughout the year.
In conclusion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time-honored tradition that has been celebrated for centuries. The festival is filled with many unique customs and traditions that make it a fascinating event to explore. From the custom of admiring the moon to eating mooncakes, there are many ways to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival with family and friends. Moreover, the Mid-Autumn Festival represents more than just a cultural tradition, it represents the values of unity, completeness, and harmony that are important to the Chinese people. Whether you celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with family or friends or alone, the festival is a time to reflect on the blessings of the year and to look forward to the future with hope and optimism.
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