Mid-Autumn Festivalzhōngqiūjié

Wan Rui

When does it fall?

Fifteen day of the eighth lunar month.

This year it’s September 25, 2007

This is when the moon is at it’s fullest and brightest

Customs of this holiday

Foods

Lobster and salmon are particular favorites along with apples, pomegranates, roasted peanuts, pomelo, chestnuts, fatt koh (sponge cakes) and most commonly, moon cakes

Activities Eating moon cakes outside under the moon

Putting pomelo rinds on one's head

Carrying brightly lit lanterns

Burning incense in reverence to deities including Chang'e

Planting Mid-Autumn trees

Lighting lanterns on towers

Fire Dragon Dances

Legends

Hou Yi was a tyrannical ruler who won the elixir of immortality by shooting 9 suns out of the sky with his bow. But his wife, knowing that the people's lives would remain miserable for all eternity if Hou Yi lived forever, drank the potion. The fluids made her lighter, and she floated up into the moon. Even today, Chinese like to think of the moon as home of Chang E.

This is one of many versions.

A More Historical Look

The Mongol Hordes of Ghengis Khan subjugated the Chinese, and established the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th Century. However, many Chinese resented the fact that they were ruled by a foreign regime. In the 14th Century, Liu Bouwen helped plot the overthrow of the Yuan Dynasty by organizing resistance. Secret messages were passed along in mooncakes

Poems

"chuáng qián míng yuè, guāng, yí shì dì shàng shuāng jÛ tóu wàng míng yuè, dī

tóu sī gù xiāng"

"By my bedside, there is a pool of moonlight, or is it frost?"

"I lift my head and gaze at the moon, I lower my head and think of home."

With tender affection and caring,Sending sincere, kind blessings.We're thousands of miles away,Wishing you perfect harmony.The Truth comes from afar—Hoping you understand Truth.We wish you good fortune and health.

This means…