Enjoying the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday? We know we are! This year our annual Belt & Road Food Fest is the highlight of the long holiday and for those who’ve yet to check it out for themselves, there’s still time! Click here to find out more about this year’s Belt & Road Food Fest.
But aside from giving and receiving mooncakes, how much do you really know about the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival? This holiday is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This year, it happens to fall on Sept 17th. It is a time for family reunions when people gather to admire the full moon, which is believed to be at its brightest and roundest on this day.
But where do mooncakes fit in all of this?
The tradition of eating mooncakes dates back to ancient times. Legend has it that during the Yuan Dynasty, the Han people were oppressed by the Mongolian rulers. In order to revolt against the regime, revolutionaries hid messages in mooncakes and distributed them among the people which later led to the tradition of gifting friends and families with mooncakes. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, when people cut open the mooncakes and found the messages, they rose up in rebellion. After the success of the revolution, eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival became a way to commemorate the event.
Over time, mooncakes have evolved into various flavors and styles. They are typically round, symbolizing reunion and completeness. Mooncakes are filled with different ingredients such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste, nuts, salted egg yolks, and chocolates. They are not only a delicious treat but also an important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival tradition.
This is a time for family gatherings and moon-gazing, and the tradition of eating mooncakes has a rich history and cultural significance. Whether your family is here in Beijing with you or back home in another country, take this long holiday to appreciate the people who’ve made your life that much richer. Happy holiday!
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