Autumn Moon Festival

Moon Cakes

Lanterns

Autumn Moon Festival HistoryThe Autumn Moon Festival falls on the

fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar , which is in September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. It is also called the Mid-Autumn Festival since it generally comes in the middle of fall. At this time, the moon is at its fullest and brightest, making it an ideal time to celebrate the abundance of the summer's harvest, and remembering the lore of Chang E, the mythical Moon Goddess of Immortality.

A Holiday Celebrated by Many

It’s a holiday that is celebrated by Chinese, Taiwanese and Vietnamese people.

A Time for FamilyThe Moon Festival is a time for

family reunions. In the evening, family members gather to have a delicious dinner.

Traditional Food

The traditional food of the Moon Festival is the moon cake, of which there are many different varieties.

The fillings of the moon cake can be of a meat, a varieties of nuts, red bean or lotus seed paste and usually contain a salted egg yolk on the inside which suppose to resemble the moon.

Why Mooncake? Moon Cake Symbolizes The yolk symbolizes the moon. Moon Cakes are round like the moon. The circle (shape of the Moon Cake) is a symbol of harmony. The round shape also stands for family unity The round shape symbolizes the cycle of life Connects the past, present, and future Long life and good health

In the Yuan Dynasty, China was once harshly ruled by the Mongols. The people devised a plan to revolt against them. To deliver the message, their written plan was secretly embedded in moon cakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the people revolted and drove out the Mongols. Since then, moon cakes have become a popular staple of the Moon Festival.

Cultural and Regional CustomsEating mooncakes.Matchmaking. In some parts of China, dances

are held for young men and women to find partners. "One by one, young women are encouraged to throw their handkerchiefs to the crowd. The young man who catches and returns the handkerchief has a chance of romance."

Carrying brightly lit lanterns, lighting lanterns on towers, floating sky lanterns.

Burning incense in reverence to deities including Chang'e

Fire Dragon Dances.Moon rabbit is a traditional icon.

Different types of fruits, along with taro roots and peanuts, are displayed near a window in the home, where one can see and enjoy the bright moon. Children might then enjoy a lantern parade around the neighborhood.

Lanterns lots of it

Autumn Moon Festival

Kids with lanterns.