V I S I T B E I J I N G Mid-Autumn 秋 Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival celebrated in China and some other oriental countries. The festival is also known as the Autumn Festival, Moon Festival and Reunion Festival. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in Chinese Lunar Calendar.
The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), and became popular in the Tang and Song dynasties (618-1279), which is the second most important festival in the country after the Chinese New Year Festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival in 2017 falls on October 4. Since 2008, it has been a 3- day public holiday in mainland China. In 2017, the holiday will be on October 1-8, combining the National Day holiday and three weekend days.
Legend Chang'e is the Chinese goddess of the Moon who is the representative of beauty and eternal love. She lived in the moon with a lovely rabbit alone. Why did she live in the moon? In a very distant past, ten suns had risen together into the sky and scorched the earth, thus causing hardship for the people. The archer Yi shot down nine of them, leaving just one sun, and was given the elixir of immortality as a reward. He hid it at home instead of consume it, as he did not want to gain immortality without his beloved wife Chang'e. However, while Yi went out hunting, Fengmeng broke into his house and forced Chang'e to give him the elixir; she refused and ate it herself. Chang'e then flew upwards towards the moon. Yi discovered what had transpired and felt sad, so he displayed the Fruits and Cakes that Chang'e had liked, and gave sacrifices to her.
V I S I T B E I J I N G Festival 秋 Celebration
Eating Mooncakes A mooncake is a Chinese bakery product traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Typical mooncakes are round pastries, measuring about 10 cm in diameter and 3 4 cm thick. A rich thick filling usually made from red bean or lotus seed paste is surrounded by a thin (2 3 mm) crust and may contain yolks from salted duck eggs.
Eating Mooncakes Today, mooncakes are made in various shapes while the round one is still the most common moncake. Eating mooncake is the tradition retaining for thousands of years and a must-do thing for most Chinese people. Stores and restaurants usually prepare mooncakes one month in advance. The price of the mooncakes ranges from 5RMB per cake to 20 RMB.
Drinking Osmanthus wine Osmanthus wine is an alcoholic Chinese drink, sometimes sweetened, produced from weak baijiu and flavored with sweet osmanthus flowers. The eighth month of Chinese lunar calendar is the flower time of osmanthus. The sweet alcoholic drink is the symbol of sweet life and longevity.
Enjoying the Full Moon The moon on the 15 th day of the eighth month in Chinese lunar calendar is considered most beautiful in a year. Hence, people choose this day to appreciate the moon with families. The custom originated from the Tang Dynasty. To enjoy the full moon in Beijing, you can go to the Lugou Bridge, the Temple of Heaven, the Houhai Lake, Beihai Park or the Central TV Tower.
Lighting Lanter ns A sky lantern, also known as Kongming lantern or Chinese lantern, is a small hot air balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended. People light the lanterns during the festival to pray for peaceful life.
Worshiping the Moon To worship the Moon Goddess, people would place mooncakes, fruits and other offerings on a large incense burning table, and place a statue of the Moon Goddess in the direction of the moon. The whole family would worship the moon in proper order, after which the mistress of the house would cut open the reunion-symbolizing mooncakes.
V I S I T B E I J I N G Lyrics 秋 on Moon
How rare the moon, so round and clear! With cup in hand, I ask of the blue sky, I do not know in the celestial sphere What name this festive night goes by? I want to fly home, riding the air, But fear the ethereal cold up there, The jade and crystal mansions are so high! Dancing to my shadow, I feel no longer the mortal tie. Prelude to Water Melody Su Shi She rounds the vermilion tower, Stoops to silk-pad doors, Shines on those who sleepless lie. Why does she, bearing us no grudge, Shine upon our parting, reunion deny? But rare is perfect happiness-- The moon does wax, the moon does wane, And so men meet and say goodbye. I only pray our life be long, And our souls together heavenward fly! (Translated by Lin Yutang)
VIEWING THE MOON, THINKING OF YOU 望月怀远 Zhang JiuLing 张九龄 As the bright moon shines over the sea, From far away you share this moment with me. 海上生明月, 天涯共此时 For parted lovers lonely nights are the worst to be. All night long I think of no one but thee. 情人怨遥夜, 竟夕起相思, To enjoy the moon I blow out the candle stick. Please put on your nightgown for the dew is thick. 灭烛怜光满, 披衣觉露滋 I try to offer you the moonlight so hard to pick, Hoping a reunion in my dream will come quick. 不堪盈手赠, 还寝梦佳期
V I S I T B E I J I N G Happy 秋 Mid-Autumn Festival