Upon successful completion, Hou Yi received an elixir that would make him live forever. Chang’e was married to a noble archer named Hou Yi who was ordered by the Emperor to shoot down 9 of the 10 suns that were blazing the earth. Many western cultures talk about the man on the moon, but Chinese folklore depicts a woman named Chang’e who lives there with a Jade Rabbit. Aware that the Mongols were not interested in eating these sweet snacks adored by the Chinese, underground leaders were able to distribute mooncakes throughout the region during the Mid-Autumn Festival with secret messages stuffed inside. Legend has it, mooncakes were once a form of secret communication to unite the Han Chinese against the ruling Mongolians.
Each cake is typically round in shape to represent the bursting moon, and stamped with a Chinese symbol wishing “harmony” or “longevity.” (That’s where the name Mooncake Festival comes from!) Customarily sold as a set of four, mooncakes are given to family, friends and business partners as a gesture of unity and togetherness. Whether yours is filled with a salted egg, lotus seed or red bean paste, mooncakes are an essential delicacy of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Moon festival midautumn full#
Family and friends gather outside under the full harvest moon to share stories, solve riddles and eat mooncakes. Different regions might use different seasonings to spice a duck or sweeten a mooncake, but one thing can always be agreed upon: the Mooncake Festival is about reunion. With the largest population in the world, it’s no wonder regional celebrations take place across the country of China. It’s a time for family togetherness and yummy eats. The Mid-Autumn Festival, sometimes called the Mooncake Festival, has been bringing families together through multiple dynasties and for thousands of years. Look to the sky–it’s almost a full moon! According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the 15th day of the 8th month of the year (which lands on September 24th in 2018) marks the second largest festival in China. Introduce your children to the Mid-Autumn Festival by sharing its ancient history and helping them complete a map activity and lantern riddles. The full moon is nearing and the harvest is ready! Millions of people across China have their mooncakes prepared, awaiting a night of family fun.
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