Introduction to the Mid-Autumn Festival (the origin of traditional Chinese festivals)

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the important traditional Chinese festivals, celebrated every year on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. As one of the most important traditional festivals in China, the Mid-Autumn Festival has a long history and rich cultural connotations. This article will introduce you to the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival and related traditional customs.

The origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the farming society of ancient China and can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty. According to historical records, nobles and scholars during the Zhou Dynasty held sacrificial activities on August 15th in autumn to thank them for the harvest and pray for good luck in the coming year. This custom was gradually passed down and combined with moon worship to form the unique festival of Mid-Autumn Festival.

Another legend related to the Mid-Autumn Festival is the story of Chang'e flying to the moon. According to legend, in ancient times, ten suns took turns shining on the earth, bringing great disasters to people. So, the immortal Queen Mother sent the heroic Hou Yi to shoot down the nine suns and save people's lives. In order to thank Hou Yi for his achievements, the Queen Mother gave him the elixir of immortality. However, Hou Yi's wife Chang'e secretly drank the elixir, and she ascended to the moon and became a fairy in the Moon Palace. In order to commemorate his wife, Hou Yi would place fruits and delicacies in the courtyard as offerings to Chang'e on August 15th every year.

Traditional customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival

There are many unique traditional customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The following are some of the representative customs:

1. Moon appreciation

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One of the most important activities of the Mid-Autumn Festival is to admire the moon. On this day, people gather together to admire the moon and appreciate its beauty. Moon-viewing activities are usually held outdoors. People will prepare fruits, moon cakes and tea, and enjoy the bright moon while enjoying the delicious food.

2. Eating mooncakes

The most representative food of the Mid-Autumn Festival is mooncakes. Moon cake is a round pastry usually made from lotus paste, bean paste, egg yolk and various nuts. People believe that eating mooncakes can bring reunion and pray for blessings. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, families share mooncakes together, symbolizing reunion and family harmony.

3. Light lanterns

An interesting custom during the Mid-Autumn Festival is to light lanterns. People hang up various lanterns in their courtyards or parks, creating a warm and lively festive atmosphere. Lanterns are usually dominated by red and yellow colors, which symbolize happiness and good luck.

4. Appreciating the sweet-scented osmanthus

The Mid-Autumn Festival is the season when the sweet-scented osmanthus is in full bloom. People will go to parks or outdoor places to appreciate the beauty of the sweet-scented osmanthus. The fragrant scent of osmanthus permeates the air, bringing people a sense of pleasure and comfort.

Conclusion

As an important traditional Chinese festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival carries rich cultural connotations and profound historical traditions. Through traditional customs such as admiring the moon, eating moon cakes, lighting lanterns and admiring osmanthus flowers, people express their feelings for reunion and pray for each other.The yearning for happiness and a better life. The origin and traditional customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival not only reflect the traditional virtues of the Chinese people, but also demonstrate the unique cultural charm of the Chinese nation.

I hope that through the introduction of this article, you will have a deeper understanding of the Mid-Autumn Festival and be able to spend a pleasant time with your family during this wonderful festival.