How to Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival
Quick answer: The Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, in September or October. Families gather for dinner, share mooncakes, hang lanterns and gaze at the full moon. It is one of the most important festivals in East Asia, often ranked second only to Chinese New Year.
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
Every year, on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar (September to October), it is a big day across much of East Asia. Families will gather together for dinner, spherical fruits like pears, grapes, pomegranates, and so on, will be out of stock, people will be out for the traditional performances, lanterns will be everywhere, and of course, all flavors of mooncakes you can think of will be sold! Yes! That's because it is one of the most important festivals in East Asia, often ranked second only to Chinese New Year: the Mid-Autumn Festival. It also is known as the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival.
As some say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, so read on to see how to celebrate and enjoy the festival like a local and not feel left out.
How do people worship and gaze at the moon?
Image by MGR Online
Traditionally, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese enjoy the moon with family as they believe it is the symbol of family reunion. Mothers would cook at home and families would enjoy dinner together, or dine at restaurants, which is also popular lately. After dinner, every family will put a table of fruits, mooncakes, incense, and candlesticks outside their house or in their courtyard facing toward the moon.
They worship the moon and wish for good fortune to come, and in the past they prayed for a good harvest. Sadly, the worshipping tradition is disappearing. It is rare to see this ritual in China's big cities, and only old towns or tourist cities keep the practice these days. Yet, the practice of gazing at and appreciating the moon remains.
Image by thebeijinger
People like to find a place that offers a great view of the moon, commonly a waterside, a rooftop, a balcony, or even a mountain, and enjoy the beautiful golden full moon with friends and family with the music on. Especially for lovers, they usually spend time enjoying the moon together or even set their wedding on the day.
According to the Chinese love story, it is the only day that Hou Yi and Chang'e, the romantic legend of the Mid-Autumn Festival, can happily reunite. Therefore, people believe if couples pray for their love to the moon, they will have a happy and peaceful relationship. Now you know what to do, grab someone's hand and watch the moon!
What happens at the carnivals and lantern displays?
Carnivals
It is almost impossible to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival without the carnivals. The carnival is the most highly anticipated event of the festival, with the opening ceremony of the Official Street Light-up, a dragon dance performance, traditional dance, multicultural songs, games, and street food! This is not only held in mainland China but all over the world! There is artistic flair in every single Chinatown!
There are 2 things that people should not miss here:
1. Dragon dance performance
Image by Night Safari
It is generally believed that Chinese dragons are luck-bringers. Having a dragon dance at the beginning of the festival is meant to welcome good fortune and prosperity to anyone who joins the festival. They also believe that the dragon dance will scare away the evil spirits that want to harm them or their family.
2. Fireworks
Coming to this festival is your opportunity to see one of the biggest spectacular firework displays of your life! The fireworks usually light up at the end of the carnival, so line up for the grand finale!
Lanterns
Children love making colorful paper lanterns with their families in different shapes, such as ones resembling animals, plants, flowers, or even geometric shapes, with paintings on them. The most popular one is a plain, globe-shaped lantern with a candle inside, like a super moon! They hang them on the trees, in their house, everywhere.
Globalization has come into lantern trends, and many cute cartoon icons including Hello Kitty, Minions, Pikachu, and more have become more and more popular among young children. Candles are used to light up the lanterns, but due to modern safety concerns, a small battery-powered light has replaced them. Nowadays, you can see whole cities full of colorful lanterns both on the ground and up in the sky, especially in Hong Kong and mainland China during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They even have the Official Street Light-up!
Kongming lantern: it is a paper lantern which can fly because the burning candle in the middle heats the air in the lantern. People write their wishes on the lanterns and let them fly up into the sky, hoping the moon will hear their voices and make their wishes come true. Unfortunately, the practice of Kongming lanterns is forbidden in Hong Kong because they pose a fire risk. Check local rules wherever you are before you try one.
What should you eat? Mooncakes
In autumn, it will be impossible not to notice mooncakes. Mooncakes are the must-eat Mid-Autumn food. It is a Chinese pastry that comes in a round shape like the moon itself and represents reunion and happiness. People will cut mooncakes into pieces equal to the number of family members and enjoy eating it together. The fillings in mooncakes vary, but the common one is salted egg yolk stuffed with a paste made from lotus seeds or beans.
Starbucks mooncake gift boxes for 2017 include vanilla custard and caramel lava flavors
The market is much more diverse these days, and producers are increasingly adapting to modern tastes. Multinational brands like Starbucks make mooncakes with various fillings such as yuzu truffle, chocolate, green tea, or even cream cheese. Even ice-cream companies like Haagen-Dazs are jumping in on the game, introducing ice-cream mooncakes and ice-cream-sandwich mooncakes.
While you are enjoying the festival, grab a mooncake and gaze at the moon.
FAQs
When is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
It falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which lands in September or October each year. The full moon that night is the highlight.
What do people eat during the Mid-Autumn Festival?
Mooncakes are the must-eat food. These round pastries stand for reunion and happiness, and families cut them into equal pieces to share. The classic filling is salted egg yolk with lotus seed or bean paste, and many modern flavors exist too. Round fruits like pears, grapes and pomegranates are also popular.
Why do people hang lanterns at Mid-Autumn Festival?
Lanterns light up the night and echo the shape of the full moon. Children carry them, families hang them at home, and cities hold lantern displays and street light-ups. Many lanterns are now battery powered for safety.
Is the Mid-Autumn Festival only celebrated in China?
No. It is celebrated across East Asia and in Chinatowns around the world, with local twists in places such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam. Carnivals, dragon dances and fireworks are common wherever it is marked.
Can I join the festival if I am an intern abroad?
Yes. Festivals are a great way to meet locals and colleagues. Ask your co-workers how they celebrate, try a mooncake, and head out to a lantern display or a spot with a good view of the moon.
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Kate Myat Noe
