Mid-Autumn Festival—an Asian festival related to Thanksgiving
by Sharon, Joel D. Valdez Main Library, and Xuan, Eckstrom-Columbus Library
Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is one of the most celebrated festivals in Asia. A lot of people may have heard about it because of mooncakes or lanterns, which are some traditions of Chinese celebration. However, people from other countries in Asia would also celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, for example, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Indonesian and Cambodian.
In this Biblio Lotus, opens a new window blog series, we will introduce the history, traditions and fun facts of this festival in several Asian countries.
Celebrations in China
When I was in my hometown, Mid-Autumn Festival was all about eating delicious mooncakes and begging my parents to buy me a pretty lantern. Only when I left my hometown to study, I finally got to understand that, no matter how yummy a mooncake or how pretty a lantern is, the essence of this festival is about being with your family. Looking at the full moon and thinking about the family far away who might be looking at the same moon can briefly console the heart. Just like what the famous Chinese poet Li Bai, opens a new window has written:
床前明月光，疑是地上霜。
举头望明月，低头思故乡。
Before my bed a pool of light,
I wonder if it's frost aground.
Looking up, I find the moon bright;
Bowing, in homesickness I'm drowned.
(translated by Xu Yuanchong)
To the Chinese, Mid-Autumn Festival means family reunion and peace. 中秋节 or Mid-Autumn festival is celebrated when the moon is believed to be the biggest and fullest. The Mid-Autumn festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in September, sometimes in October. In 2021, it will be on September 21.
The festival celebrates, opens a new window three fundamental concepts that are closely connected:
- Gathering, such as family and friends coming together, or harvesting crops for the festival. It is said the moon is the brightest and roundest on this day which means family reunion. Consequently, this is the main reason why the festival is thought to be important.
- Thanksgiving, to give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions.
- Praying(asking for conceptual or material satisfaction), such as for babies, a spouse, beauty, longevity, or for a good future.
Traditions and myths surrounding the festival are formed around these concepts. Although traditions have changed over time due to changes in technology, science, economy, culture, and religion, it's always been about being together.
Mooncakes
Mooncakes are traditional Chinese pastries eaten to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. They represent happiness and prosperity. Here’s a story of mooncakes, opens a new window: during the Yuan dynasty (A.D.1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Song dynasty (A.D.960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule and set how to coordinate the rebellion without it being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Baked into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). Today many people may not remember this story, but would enjoy mooncakes no less.
Mooncakes are a special treat every year during this season. You can buy or make mooncakes, and there are variety of styles. The main ones are Cantonese style, Su Zhou style and snowy mooncakes. The fillings are also versatile such as lotus paste with egg yolk, sweet beans, and different kinds of mixed nuts.
Mooncakes are very rich. The process can be complicated but it is doable. For example, Cantonese style mooncakes need to be made ahead of time with inverted sugar syrup—some people substitute it with honey. But I think making your own syrup is better. You can buy the mooncake molds online. When these homemade mooncakes came out nice and pretty, you feel very accomplished!
Make mooncakes
- Cantonese style mooncakes, opens a new window (YouTube video)
- Snowy mooncakes, opens a new window (YouTube video)
Lanterns
In addition to appreciating the moon and eating mooncakes, opens a new window, there is actually a very interesting custom in China—lighting lanterns. In ancient times, lanterns were used as lighting tools, i.e. a traditional lamp; nowadays, lanterns have become crafts and ornamentals and people light the Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns to symbolize family reunion and to pray for good fortune. As early as the Song Dynasty, opens a new window (960 - 1279), there was a Mid-Autumn Festival custom of floating lanterns in the river. Now, appreciating and playing with lanterns, opens a new window are still welcomed by many people.
Make a lantern
Red and yellow paper lanterns, opens a new window
