Mid Autumn Festival Introduction

There are many calendar systems in the universe, but only 3 of them are widely known and used: The Julian/Gregorian Calendar (which we use from time to time) and the other two systems that are based on the lunar calculation are the Muslim/Hijri Calendar (used by the Muslims) and the Lunar Calendar (which is widely used by Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese).

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on month 8 day 15 based on the Chinese lunar calendar (usually in September or October). It is the day of the full moon, when the moon is perfectly in a round shape and shines brightly (even brighter than other full moons) and beautifully. This year, it will be celebrated on September the 27th (go outside and check the moon!).

Full moon in Beijing last year

Maybe some of you asking, what is the difference between this full moon and the other full moons.

For Chinese, it’s different…

It’s harvest celebration! It’s Chinese’s thanksgiving celebration! The Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important festival to Chinese people after the Spring Festival. Chinese people believe the full moon is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and family reunion.

The Main Symbol of Mid Autumn Festival

Tada! It’s a cake! A moon cake… That’s why, people also call this festival as the Moon Cake Festival. Their size varies up to 10 cm (4 inches) wide and 5 cm (2 inches) deep, most mooncakes consist of a pastry skin enveloping a sweet, dense filling (usually filled with egg yolk, lotus seed, and other ingredients). The price also varies, it can be cheap and it can be very high too!

“Thanksgiving” Celebration Around the World

The US and other Western Countries

For Western people, it’s celebrated at the end of November as a symbol of harvest season for the Pilgrims. And what they serve? Yeah, the “IT” juicy roasted TURKEY on the plate for the whole family!

The Pilgrims Thanksgiving Picturesque

China

Just like the Spring festival (ps: but no red pocket), people will go back to their hometown to gather with their family and have a big feast! They will pray to the gods and the moon for the prosperity. During the holiday, people also will also fly the lanterns. Full moon + lanterns = what a be-au-tiful sky! (hope it’s not gonna rain though)

Korea

Korean people, which basically have the same ancestor with Chinese and for sure, embrace the similar ancestral cultures, also celebrate this festival at the same time like Chinese does. They call it 추석 chuseok. If Chinese celebrates it with moon cake, Korean people also celebrate with mooncake, but more usual, they celebrate it with their bloody super good Korean Beef! In Korea, people will go to the cemetery to do the tomb sweeping of their late elders or relatives. They also will go back to their hometown and have a big feast with their family.

Korean Beef for Chuseok Festival

Chuseok Offering

Japan

It is called 月見 Tsukimi in Japan. Same time like Chinese does, similar activity, and similar symbolism. Tsukimi traditions include displaying decorations made from Japanese pampas grass (susuki) and eating rice dumplings called Tsukimi dango in order to celebrate the beauty of the moon.

Susuki Grass

Tsukimi Dango

Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia

As you know, a lot of Chinese descents scatter around Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. This makes the Moon Cake Festival an essential celebration to be celebrated in the regions. People will buy and send moon cakes to relatives, have a family reunion and big feast, also go to the cemetery to do the tomb sweeping of their loved ones. For some of Chinese descents who still embrace the tradition’s strong believes will also pray and give offerings to the gods and the moon.