When the full moon is high, do you know about the thousand-year-old traditions associated with it? The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Full Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival, is a shining pearl in the long history of the Chinese nation. Every year on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, countless families gather together to appreciate the beauty of the moon, taste the mooncakes that symbolize reunion, and enjoy the warm family time.
Regarding the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the most widely spread is the moving myth of Chang'e running to the moon. According to legend, in ancient times, ten suns appeared in the sky, scorching the earth. The hero Hou Yi shot down nine, retaining a warm world. In gratitude for his feat, people offered elixir. Hou Yi's wife, Chang'e, accidentally swallowed these elixirs, turned into a fairy, and flew to the Moon Palace. In order to commemorate his beloved wife, Houyi set up a festival to worship the moon at this time of the year, which is the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Over the years, the Mid-Autumn Festival has gradually evolved into a grand folk celebration. In addition to worshipping the moon, customs are also becoming more and more diverse, such as moon appreciation, moon cake tasting, lantern lifting, lantern riddles, etc. With its mellow shape, mooncakes have become an indispensable delicacy in the Mid-Autumn Festival; The moon viewing is the highlight of the night, and it is believed to bring good luck and happiness.
The stories and legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival are much more than that. Legends such as Wu Gang's felling of cinnamon and the jade rabbit pounding medicine add a touch of mystery to the festival. These stories not only enrich the Mid-Autumn Festival culture, but also reflect the ancient people's whimsical ideas about natural phenomena.
Historically, the Mid-Autumn Festival has also carried a political and cultural mission. Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai's "Silent Night Thoughts" and Su Shi's "Water Tune Song Head: When Will the Bright Moon Exist" and other poems were born on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, expressing deep longing for their hometown and relatives. In the Song Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival was designated as a national holiday, showing its unique position in traditional culture.
Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a traditional festival in China, but also widely celebrated by the Chinese community in Southeast Asia and abroad. In the midst of globalization, the way we celebrate is constantly evolving, but the spirit of reunion and gratitude remains the same. Whether it's connecting with distant friends and family on the phone or sharing blessings on social media, people are passing on this ancient tradition in their own way.
Summary: The history and story of the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only about the romantic legend of the moon, it is also about family, love, friendship and gratitude. Every Mid-Autumn Festival full moon night, no matter where they are, people will look up at the clear moonlight, so that their hearts can gather in the warmth of this ancient festival and feel the reunion across time and space.