The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the three most important Chinese festivals. It is a traditional holiday to worship the moon, as on that day, the moon turns into a beautiful circle (圆 yuán). The full moon symbolizes perfection and satisfaction (圆满 yuánmǎn) for the harvest and family reunion (团圆 tuányuán). Traditionally, we celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with family, similar to Thanksgiving Day in the US.
What Do We Do
- Enjoy mooncakes 🥮
月饼 yuèbǐng
We buy mooncakes to show our gratitude to those we appreciate, such as family, friends, or even business partners. However, nowadays, younger generations don’t usually enjoy the traditional oily and heavy mooncakes. So, ice cream mooncakes, fruit mooncakes, and biscuits have become popular alternatives.
- Admire the full moon 🌕
赏月 shǎngyuè
It is traditional to go outside and admire the full moon on the night of the festival. Some families also hold outdoor gatherings or parties to enjoy the moon together. Parents also tell stories about the moon to their kids. Watch your manners when admiring the moon, though. It is believed that pointing your finger at the moon is disrespectful, as it may anger the Goddess of the Moon and result in a small cut on your ear.
- BBQ (Taiwan only)
烤肉 kǎoròu
Simply admiring the moon can be a little boring, and preparing a big dinner for the whole family can be tiring. That’s why Taiwanese people have created a “new tradition” to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can find grill kits displayed outside buildings or on the street, and people stand or sit there to do some barbecueing. It’s actually the perfect opportunity to get to know your neighbors!
- Reunion
团圆 tuányuán
The Mid-Autumn Festival usually provides a 3-day break, primarily for people working in distant places to have enough time to return to their homes. Those who live too far away from their parents’ homes will call them and look at the moon together. This symbolizes that we are all under the same sky and looking at the same moon.
- Money 🧧
红包 hóngbāo
On the first day back to the office after Mid-Autumn Festival, employees usually receive a small amount of money from the company in appreciation for their hard work. In modern times, many young Chinese people show their appreciation to their parents by sending them red envelopes through WeChat.
Food for Moon Festival
Mooncakes 月饼 yuèbǐng
Mooncakes typically have salty egg yolks baked into the center, giving the cake a lunar radiance. The yolk is considered the “moon” of the cake. Outside of the yolk, there is a filling made of various types of paste, such as mung bean, red bean, jujube, or lotus seed. Mooncakes are generally sweet, with a slightly salty taste, and are high in calories. They are best enjoyed with tea.
Pomelo 柚子 yòuzi
Why do we eat pomelo? Because it’s in season!
Pomelo is a highly nutritious fruit that is low in calories and full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It also contains fiber, which can help with digestion after eating heavy mooncakes. In Taiwan, it’s common to say that we “kill” (杀 shā) the pomelo, rather than the usual verb for “peel” (剥 bō). After “killing” it, we take its skin and wear it on our heads (seriously). This isn’t to be cruel to the poor pomelo, but to help keep mosquitoes away from children while they’re outside with their families.
Stories related to the Moon festival
- 嫦娥奔月 Cháng‘é bēn yuè
It’s about a beautiful lady who lives on the moon.
- 玉兔捣药 Yùtù dǎoyào
It’s about a rabbit who becomes a medicine god.
- 吴刚伐桂 Wúgāng fáguì
It’s about a lazy man who always gives up easily.
