Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional East Asian celebration held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. It is a time for families to gather and admire the full moon, share mooncakes, and celebrate unity and harvest. The Mid-Autumn Festival is second only to Lunar New Year in cultural importance. It embodies values such as family unity, gratitude, and cultural continuity.


History of Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节, Zhōngqiū Jié) dates back over 3000 years to ancient Chinese moon worship practices during the Zhou Dynasty.* It came into prominence during the Song Dynasty under the Reign of Emperor Tai that it was linked to the 15th day of the 8th Lunar month.† To respect the Chinese kings who worshipped and offered sacrifices to the moon goddess Chang'e, noble officials and wealthy merchants all chose to follow suit which then evolved to the festival that we know today.‡

Rituals and Traditions

Over many centuries, Mid-Autumn Festival has evolved to include different traditions and rituals that community perform to celebrate this season. Some of these traditions include:

  • Moon Worship and Mythology - One of the most enduring myths associated with the festival is the legend of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. According to folklore, she ascended to the moon after consuming an elixir of immortality, and her story is retold during the festival to reinforce themes of sacrifice and eternal love.§
  • Mooncakes - Mooncakes are the most iconic food of the festival. Originally used as offerings to the moon, they now symbolise reunion and are shared among family and friends. Traditional fillings include lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk, though modern variations exist.
  • Lanterns - Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are lit and displayed, symbolising prosperity and good fortune. In some regions, lantern riddles are a popular activity, especially among children.
  • Family Reunions and Moon Gazing - The full moon symbolises unity in Chinese culture. Families gather to admire the moon, share meals, and express gratitude. This tradition is deeply rooted in the belief that the moon connects loved ones across distances.
  • Children's Day - In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn festival has evolved to become a day to honour children. This is a special time for children as they eagerly await the toys, lanterns and delicious food.‖
  • Tomb Sweeping - In South Korea, the Mid-Autumn Festival (or Chuseok) is one of the nation’s most important holidays.¶ On the morning of Chuseok, families honour their ancestors with memorial services called charye and visit the graves of loved ones. During these ceremonies, families offer food and wine made with fresh fruits and newly harvested crops.**


We wish all that are celebrating a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival - 中秋节快乐



References

* 'The Mid-Autumn Festival: Celebrating the Mandala of the Sky', University of Newcastle Australia

†'Mid-autumn Festival (Zhong Qiu Jie)', Singapore National Library Board

‡ Ibid.

§ 'SOLL Event: Mid-Autumn Festival and Traditional Vietnamese Children’s Games', The University of Melbourne

‖'China's Mid-Autumn Day', Yang Lemei, JSTOR

¶ 'Mid-Autumn Festival: Mooncakes, lanterns and so much more', CNN

** 'Chuseok, National Museum of Asian Art - Smithsonian Institution