The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the “Moon Festival” or “Reunion Festival,” is one of China’s most important traditional holidays, embodying gratitude for family unity, harvest, and nature. Its origins blend mythology, agricultural traditions, and historical evolution, while its diverse customs showcase the richness of Chinese culture.
I. The Origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival
1. Ancient Harvest Moon Worship
The festival traces its roots to moon-worship rituals during the autumn equinox in ancient times. The agrarian society revered nature, holding ceremonies to thank the moon and earth for bountiful harvests (recorded in the Rites of Zhou as “welcoming the cold on Mid-Autumn night”). By the Han Dynasty, these observances gradually centered on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, when the full moon symbolized perfection, evolving into a celebration of harvest and blessings.
2. Mythological Romance
Many customs stem from the legend of Chang’e Flying to the Moon. According to myth, the archer Hou Yi obtained an elixir of immortality, which his wife Chang’e accidentally consumed, ascending to the moon. Heartbroken, Hou Yi made offerings to her under the full moon, a practice later adopted by the people (documented in Huainanzi). Tales like Wu Gang Chopping the Laurel Tree and the Jade Rabbit Grinding Medicine further enriched the festival’s mystique.
3. Historical Evolution: From Tang Prosperity to Song Formalization
- Tang Dynasty: Recognized as an official holiday, it became a time for poets like Li Bai to compose verses under the moon (“Raising my head, I gaze at the bright moon; lowering it, I think of home”).
- Song Dynasty: Celebrations peaked, with The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor describing all-night feasts and moon-viewing in Bianjing (Kaifeng). Mooncakes emerged as a festive staple.
- Ming & Qing Dynasties: Imperial moon altars were built in Beijing, while folk customs like gifting mooncakes and lantern processions flourished.
II. Mid-Autumn Festival Customs
1. Nationwide Traditions
- Moon Gazing: Families gather outdoors, sharing mooncakes while admiring the full moon, symbolizing unity.
- Eating Mooncakes: Round pastries (filled with lotus seed paste, five nuts, or red bean) represent reunion. Modern variants include snowskin and lava custard.
- Moon Worship: Traditionally led by women, offerings of fruits (pomelos, pomegranates) and incense express wishes for harmony and love.
- Lanterns & Decorations: Children carry rabbit-shaped or lotus lanterns; southern China hosts grand lantern fairs.
2. Regional Practices
- Southern China
Guangdong: “Burning Pagodas” (stacked tiles set ablaze for prosperity) and fire-dragon dances (glowing straw dragons).
Jiangsu/Zhejiang: Watching the Qiantang River tidal bore, enjoying osmanthus cakes and wine.
Fujian: Bo Bing (dice game for mooncakes, linked to Koxinga’s military history).
- Northern China
Beijing: Displaying clay “Moon Rabbits” as toys.
Shandong: Offering sacrifices to crop deities (“Green Sprout Society”).
- Hong Kong & Taiwan
Hong Kong: Fire-dragon dances and lantern carnivals.
Taiwan: Barbecues (a modern commercial tradition).
3. Ethnic Minority Customs
- Dai People: Releasing sky lanterns for blessings.
- Miao People: “Moon Dancing”—courtship dances under the moon.
- Mongols: “Chasing the Moon”—horseback rides until moonset.
4. Modern Adaptations
- Virtual Reunions: Video calls for “cloud moon-gazing.”
- Cultural Events: Hanfu-themed gatherings, DIY mooncakes, night markets.
- Eco-Friendly Trends: Digital lanterns, smoke-free rituals.
III. Cultural Significance
- Reunion: Core theme, reinforced by mooncakes and poetry like Su Shi’s “We wish each other a long life / To share the moon’s beauty, though miles apart.”
- Gratitude: Honoring nature’s bounty and ancestral blessings.
- Romanticism: Myths, poetry, and lanterns reflect aspirations for harmony.
In 2006, the festival was inscribed as China’s intangible cultural heritage. Today, from ancient rites to “mooncake diplomacy,” it remains a vibrant bond among global Chinese communities, continually renewing itself while preserving tradition.