The Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, more commonly known as the Moon Festival, is an important holiday that dates back at least 3,000 years. The Moon Festival is a celebration of family, abundance, and the change of seasons. Although the Moon Festival is primarily a Chinese holiday, it is also celebrated in some parts of Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. The Moon Festival is also a popular holiday among Chinese overseas, such as those in America.

The Moon Festival is always held on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon, which is the autumn equinox. This usually falls between mid-September and mid-October. During the Moon Festival, the moon is fullest and brightest. The fullness of the moon is thought to represent wholeness and togetherness. It also represents abundance, so the Moon Festival is also a celebration of a plentiful summer harvest.

Many traditional foods are prepared during the Moon Festival, but there is one special food that is always included: moon cakes. Moon cakes are small, round cakes about the size of a palm. They are sweet and fragrant and can be filled with many different fillings. Popular fillings include sweet red bean paste, lotus seeds, minced meat, or almonds. Sometimes a golden egg yolk is placed in the center, symbolizing the moon. The top of the crust is decorated with Chinese language symbols of luck and harmony.

To celebrate the Moon Festival, Chinese will gather with family and friends. Many throw large reunions or have barbecues under the moon. People will gather to gaze at the moon, and sometimes take boat rides out on the water to better admire it. Children often make and carry paper lanterns. Other Moon Festival activities include creating lit towers of lights, burning incense in prayer, and having dragon dances.

When gazing at the moon during the Moon Festival, Chinese recite stories of Chang'e. She is the legendary "woman in the moon." There are many tales of how Chang'e, the Moon Maiden, came to be on the moon. Most stories say she ate a magic pill and floated away to the moon. The stories of Chang'e are well known and are a subject of poems and songs throughout Chinese history. Another popular Moon Festival figure is the Jade Rabbit, who is said to live in a jade palace on the moon. Chinese people believe you can see the Jade Rabbit in the full moon (its figure is found in the dark moon shadows). The Jade Rabbit is thought to grind medicine for the gods. Others believe the Jade Rabbit is Chang'e in animal form.

It is believed that during the Moon Festival, Chang'e the Moon Maiden descends to earth on moon beams. She is believed to then grant prayers and spread good fortune. So during the Moon Festival it is tradition to swear love under the moon. Family who are parted will often look up to the moon and pray to be reunited soon.

The Moon Festival falls on September 25 during the year 2007.