Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival, a revered harvest celebration, is observed by the Chinese and in countries like Vietnam. It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, typically falling between mid-September and early October in the Gregorian calendar. A key highlight of the festival is the mooncake, a pastry filled with sweet bean or lotus seed paste, enjoyed by many during this time.

This festival is known by several names, including the Moon Festival, Harvest Moon Festival, Zhōngqiū Jié in Mandarin, Jūng-chāu Jit in Cantonese, Tết Trung Thu in Vietnamese, Lantern Festival, Reunion Festival, Children's Festival, Chuseok in Korea, and Tsukimi in Japan. It celebrates themes like family reunions, giving thanks for the harvest, and praying for future blessings.

An important aspect of the festival is moon worship, where offerings are made to Chang'e, the Moon Goddess of Immortality. Legends about Chang'e and Hou Yi are popular stories shared during the festivities. Modern celebrations often feature outdoor family gatherings, dragon and lion dances, and vibrant lantern displays.

Mooncakes, symbolizing unity and completeness, come in various flavors and designs. Traditional activities such as burning incense, dragon dances, and writing riddles on lanterns remain popular. Regions like Xiamen, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and even parts of the United States each have their unique customs and traditions for the festival.

Similar celebrations exist across Asia, in countries such as Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India, where festivals revolve around the full moon and harvest. The dates for the Mid-Autumn Festival vary each year but generally fall between September and October.