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Festivals of any country act as the fragrance to the celebration of the country's art and culture.Chinabeing a culture rich country also has 7 main festivals to celebrate. One of them is the festival celebrated on the 15th of the 8th lunar month, named as "the mid-autumn festival". Also given the name of "Full Moon festival", this festival is celebrated in the west by the name of "Hunter's moon" or "harvest moon". For the Chinese this festival is alike the thanksgiving festival in America, which is celebrated in joy of a plentiful harvest.
Legends Associated With The Festival
One of the famous legends associated with the Mid-Autumn festival is that of the Chang E. According to the legend once there was a dictatorial ruler who shot nine suns with his bow and thus received a potion of immortality. His wife Chang E knowing very well that the immortality of the king was in fact a curse for the people of the kingdom, drank the potion herself. On drinking the potion the queen became lighter and flew to the moon. Till this date the day is celebrated in honor of Chang E.
Celebrations
Celebrations of the festival include family reunion dinners, huge lantern shows and special performances. During this festival all the family members try to get together and have a festive time. Those who are not able to reach their families look at the moon and remember their families. Another ritual associated with the celebrations of the mid-autumn festival is drinking of wine while looking at the full silver moon to extend the best wishes for one's family members who are far away.
Moon Cakes
The famous food associated with the mid-autumn festival is the moon cake. The moon cakes are prepared with fillings of nuts, Chinese dates, lotus-seed paste and beans, wrapped together in a pastry. The filling can also include walnuts, eggs and coconut. Most moon cakes have some characters signifying harmony and longevity inscribed on their tops.
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