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中秋佳节! (Translation: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!) The Mid-Autumn Festival is rapidly approaching and many people are wondering what the festival is all about. From lanterns to mooncakes, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for celebrating family and friends.

Do you ever find yourself scrolling through your calendar wondering, “What’s the next big celebration?” Well, get ready to mark your datebook, because the Mid-Autumn Festival will be on September 29, and you’re about to join a lunar party like no other! If you’ve been curious about this enchanting tradition and are eager to dive into a world filled with mooncakes, lanterns, and legendary tales, this is the right place for you.

First things first, let’s rewind a bit and explore why this festival exists. The Mid-Autumn Festival, or 中秋节 (Zhōng qiū jié) in Mandarin, has a history as rich as the custard filling a traditional mooncake. It all started over 3,000 years ago when ancient Chinese emperors paid tribute to the moon for bountiful harvests. Legend has it that a beautiful moon goddess named Chang’e resides on the moon, and making offerings to her wins her favor and blessings.

There’s a famous tale of Chang’e and her husband Houyi that explains why Chang’e is on the moon. Houyi, an ace archer, saved the world by shooting down nine of the ten suns that were causing chaos and drought. As a reward, the emperor gifted Houyi an elixir of immortality. In some versions of the story, Chang’e drinks the potion due to one of Houyi’s apprentices trying to steal the concoction while in other versions Chang’e drinks the potion because she is a selfish woman who doesn’t want to be left behind by Houyi after he drinks it. Regardless, after drinking the elixir, Chang’e floated up to the moon and has been living there ever since. 

So you’re eager to join the celebration and mark this wonderful festival home? Fear not, for there are several ways for anyone to participate in this lunar fiesta!

Enjoy some mooncake

Eating mooncakes has been a staple of the Mid-Autumn Festival. These sweet and savory pastries come in various flavors, from lotus seed paste to red bean. Get yourself some moon cakes and share them with your family and friends. Remember, the more yolks, the merrier!

Make lanterns

Creating lanterns and hanging them around your home has also been a long-standing tradition in the Mid-Autumn Festival. Lanterns can be created with just some paper, some glue, and an afternoon of fun with family. Hang the lanterns around your garden, balcony, or backyard, and let their gentle glow create a magical ambiance reminiscent of a starry night.

Light a few incense

Lighting incense is yet another cherished tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The fragrant tendrils of smoke from the incense not only offer a calming and aromatic experience, but also symbolizes the purification of one’s soul and the space around them, creating an atmosphere that’s said to be more appealing to the gods. It’s a beautiful way to connect with the spiritual essence of this time-honored celebration.

Watch the moonrise 

The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the moon, so it’s only fitting that people sit down and watch the moonrise as it is part of the festival’s customs. Find a cozy spot with a clear view of the night sky and look among the stars as the moon begins to rise. A rooftop, a park, or even your backyard will do. Most importantly, remember to bring your loved ones.

Have a feast with family and friends

One final tradition that is vital to this festival is to share a large meal with those you care about. In essence, this festival is a celebration of unity and togetherness, a time when families and friends gather around a table laden with delectable dishes. It’s not just about savoring the culinary delights, but also about the joy of connecting with loved ones.

As you gather to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, remember that its true essence lies in the company you keep, the laughter you share, and the love that binds you together. This festival is a beautiful reminder of the importance of cherishing the relationships that light up our lives, much like the radiant full moon that graces the night sky during this enchanting celebration.