The Origin of Mid-Autumn Festival

Ancient Myths

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is an important traditional festival in China. According to ancient myths, there was a goddess named Chang'e who swallowed a pill of immortality and flew to the moon with her jade rabbit, where she has lived ever since. The moon represents reunion and harmony in Chinese culture, so people celebrate the festival by admiring the full moon, enjoying mooncakes, and spending time with their families.

Historical Development

The Mid-Autumn Festival has a long history that dates back to the Tang Dynasty. During the early years of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong declared the day of the full moon in the middle of autumn as a festival to worship the moon. Later, the festival became popular among the elite and spread to the common people during the Song Dynasty. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the festival became a nationwide celebration that involved various customs and activities, including dragon and lion dances, lantern exhibitions, and poetry contests.

Modern Celebration

Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival is still widely celebrated in China and other countries with significant Chinese populations. The festival has evolved with the times, and new customs and traditions have emerged. For example, people now send mooncakes as gifts to family and friends, and companies organize mooncake-making competitions for their employees. Moreover, technology has made it possible for people to celebrate the festival in creative ways, such as by live streaming moon-viewing events or sharing photos on social media. In conclusion, the Mid-Autumn Festival has a rich cultural and historical significance and is an important occasion for family reunions and expressing gratitude to loved ones. Although the festival has undergone significant changes over the centuries, its essence remains the same – to cherish the beauty of the moon and the blessings of life.