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The annual Autumn Moon Festival is an important Chinese holiday which celebrates the abundance of the Summer harvest. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, when the moon is said to be at its fullest and brightest. The Moon Festival is also commonly referred to as the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lantern Festival & Mooncake Festival. Mooncakes are a Chinese pastry that is traditionally enjoyed while celebrating the festival.

Origin

The Moon Festival originated in China about 3,000 years ago and has become a popular tradition among East Asian cultures. Although the exact origin of the festival is unknown, there are several stories said to represent the origin of the festival. Here are some of the most common stories about the festival’s origin:

Story 1: Harvest
The Chinese people used moon phases as a calendar for agricultural harvests. The full moon signaled the end of the summer harvest, when farmers would gather around in celebration to eat delicious mooncakes.

Story 2: Revolt
During the Yuan dynasty, the Mongols took over China and treated the Chinese very poorly. In order to overthrow the Mongols and gain back power, the Chinese devised a plan to send mooncakes to every household. Paper messages were stuffed into the center of the mooncakes naming the time (the 15th day of the 8th lunar month) and place to revolt against the Mongols. Mooncakes are eaten in honor of the subsequent victory.

Story 3: Moon Lady
The tale of the lady on the moon describes a mortal woman named Chang’er being punished and sent to the cold palace on the moon because she consumed a whole immortality pill that was meant to be shared with her loving husband. It is said that on the 15th of the 8th month, her beauty can be seen most clearly.

Story 4: Lanterns
The Jade Emperor You Di was infuriated that a town killed his goose. He ordered the town to be destroyed by fire as punishment. However, a fairy advised the townspeople to light up the town with their lanterns. When the Emperor saw the light in the town, he was fooled into thinking that the town had been destroyed. To commemorate this event, children and adults carry colorful lanterns during the festival.

Modern Moon Festivals

Today, the Moon Festival is often celebrated with family and friends. The day consists of visiting temple, gathering for a family dinner, eating mooncakes, carrying lanterns, and lighting incense to honor deities. Elaborate celebrations may include lion dance performances and firework displays.

Mooncakes

What are mooncakes? A mooncake is a rich pastry traditionally filled with mashed red bean, lotus seed, melon seed, and one or more salted eggs to represent the full moon. Modern day mooncakes can be found with more exotic favors such as coconut. Each pastry is so rich that it is meant to be shared in quarter pieces.

2008 Moon Festival

The 2008 Moon Festival will be celebrated on September 13, 2008. Join the celebration by gathering for a slice of mooncake under the full moon!