Difference between revisions of "Language/Yue-chinese/Culture/Mid-Autumn-Festival"

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Revision as of 20:36, 18 March 2023

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Yue Chinese → Culture → Mid-Autumn Festival

As a Yue Chinese language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to share with you the traditions and festivities of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. This festival is one of the most important cultural holidays in China, and it celebrates the harvest moon and the end of the autumn farming season.

History and Significance

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival, dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty. The festival was originally a way to offer thanks for the harvest and honor the moon goddess Chang'e.

According to legend, the popular Chinese folklore character Houyi, an archer, saved the Earth from catastrophe by shooting down nine of the ten suns that were burning the planet. As a result, he was given a magical pill that could grant immortality. However, fearing that his wife Chang'e would be exposed to danger, he hid the pill in his house. One day, while Houyi was out hunting, his apprentice tried to steal the pill from Chang'e, who then swallowed it and flew up to the moon. Since then, the Mid-Autumn Festival has been celebrated as a tribute to Chang'e and her beloved Houyi.

Celebration

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which typically falls in September or October. It is a time for family reunions, moon watching, and eating traditional foods like mooncakes and pomelos. Here are some of the most popular customs and activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival:

Mooncakes

Mooncakes are a traditional pastry filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or egg yolk that is often consumed during the Mid-Autumn Festival. While the traditional round-shaped mooncakes symbolize unity and completeness, the modern-day versions come in a variety of flavors and shapes, including square, triangular, and even ones with ice cream inside!

One of the most famous kinds of mooncakes are the Cantonese-style mooncakes, which are flaky and sweet, while the Suzhou-style ones have a crispy crust and a more savory filling. During the festival, it is common for families and friends to exchange mooncakes as a way to show their love and unity.

Yue Chinese Pronunciation English
月餅 yuè bǐng Mooncake

Lanterns

Lanterns are an important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, especially for children. They are typically made of paper, silk, or plastic and come in many shapes and sizes, from classic round lanterns to animal- and cartoon-shaped ones.

During the festival, people light up and release lanterns into the sky, or hang them up outside their homes or in public areas. The bright colors and designs of the lanterns are said to help guide Chang'e home to Earth to reunite with her beloved Houyi.

Yue Chinese Pronunciation English
燈籠 dēng lóng Lantern

Moon-gazing

Moon-gazing is a traditional Mid-Autumn Festival activity in which people gather together to look at the full moon. During the festival, it is believed that the moon is at its fullest and brightest, making it an auspicious time for wishes and prayers.

Families and friends often sit outside under the moonlight, enjoying tea and eating mooncakes while appreciating the beauty of the moon. Some people even recite poems or sing songs about the moon.

Dragon and Lion Dancing

Dragon and lion dancing are popular performances during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The dances involve a group of dancers wearing elaborate costumes and carrying a large dragon or lion figure that moves to the beat of traditional music.

The performances are a way to wish for good luck and prosperity, and they are believed to drive away evil spirits. Some neighborhoods hold competitions to see which dragon and lion dance team is the best.

Yue Chinese Pronunciation English
舞龍舞獅 wǔ lóng wǔ shī Dragon and Lion Dancing

Conclusion

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family, food, and fun in China. By understanding the history and traditions of the festival, we can gain insight into Chinese culture and deepen our appreciation for this important holiday.

If you want to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with your friends or family, try making your own mooncakes or lanterns, or organize a moon-gazing or dragon and lion dance event. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Sources





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