Reuniting Under the Moonlight: Reflecting on the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Moon Festival or the Harvest Moon Festival, is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This year, it falls on September 21st.
As a child, I always looked forward to Mid-Autumn Festival for a few reasons. First of all, we would get a day off from school, which was always a good thing. But more importantly, we would get to eat delicious mooncakes and gaze up at the full moon with our families.
In China, mooncakes are an essential part of the Mid-Autumn Festival. They are round, sweet pastries filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or sometimes even egg yolk or diced ham. The baking of mooncakes is a time-honored tradition, and the art of making them is passed down from generation to generation. Nowadays, there are also many different flavors and varieties of mooncakes, including ones with ice cream or chocolate filling.
Another tradition associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is the lighting of lanterns. Children and adults alike carry brightly colored lanterns in a variety of shapes and sizes, creating a colorful and festive atmosphere. In addition, there are often dragon and lion dance performances, as well as other cultural activities.
But perhaps the most important aspect of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the idea of family reunions. In China, it is customary for family members to gather together on this day to enjoy mooncakes, share stories, and appreciate the full moon. For those who are unable to be with their loved ones, phone calls and video chats are a common way of staying connected.
As I grew older and moved away from home, I started to miss the Mid-Autumn Festival more and more. I missed the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holiday, the warmth of my family's company, and the taste of my mother's homemade mooncakes. I realized that the festival was not just about the mooncakes or the lanterns, but about coming together with the people who mean the most to you.
This year, I will be celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in a different way, as I am now studying abroad. Although I won't be able to be with my family, I am looking forward to joining a local celebration with other international students, learning more about the customs and traditions associated with the festival, and enjoying mooncakes that remind me of home.
In conclusion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time to celebrate family, friends, and the beauty of the full moon. It is a time to reflect on the traditions that have been passed down for centuries and to appreciate the people who have made those traditions possible. Whether you are celebrating at home or abroad, I hope that this festival brings you joy and a sense of community.
TAGS： MooncakeFamilyReunionLunarCalendarTraditionsandcustoms