The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节, Zhōngqiū Jié) is one of the brightest and most beloved Chinese holidays traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, usually in September. This holiday symbolizes harvest, family reunification and moon worship, and is also a time when the Chinese traditionally meet their relatives, enjoy moon pies and admire the full moon.
However, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also inextricably linked with one of the most famous Chinese legends - the legend of Chang'e, the goddess of the moon. This myth of love, sacrifice and the search for immortality formed the basis of many Chinese traditions and rites associated with the holiday. In this article, we will introduce you to the Mid-Autumn Holiday, its history and meaning, and also tell you about the legend of Chang'e, which gives the holiday a special mystical atmosphere.
1. History and significance of the Mid-Autumn Holiday
1.1 Symbolism and origin of the holiday
The holiday of mid-autumn is the time of worship of the moon, which on this day reaches its peak and becomes especially bright. In Chinese culture, the Moon is a symbol of harmony, integrity and full moon, as well as symbolizing reunification. On this day, families come together to celebrate a successful harvest and express gratitude for the fruits of the earth.
- This holiday dates back to ancient times and is associated with agrarian customs, when people celebrated the middle of autumn, as the moment of completion of the agricultural cycle and harvest.
1.2 Moon pies are symbols of family unity
One of the main symbols of the Mid-Autumn Festival are moon pies (月饼, yuèbǐng), which are usually filled with sweet toppings of bean, nut, meat or egg paste. These pies symbolize the moon, which unites people on this day. The round shape of the pies symbolizes family unity, and their sweet taste is associated with happiness and harmony.
- Moon pies are given to family and friends, creating an atmosphere of care and respect, as well as strengthening family ties.
2. Legend of Chang'e: Myth, Love and Immortality
2.1 The plot of the legend of Chang'e
One of the most popular Chinese legends associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is the legend of Chang'e, the goddess of the Moon. According to the myth, Chang'e was a beautiful and kind woman married to Ho-di (后羿, Hòu Yì), a great archer who saved the world from ten suns that burned the earth.
- To reward Ho-di for his feat, the heavenly gods gave him the elixir of immortality. However, Ho-di, being a kind person, did not want to leave his wife and asked to transfer the elixir only in case of emergency. However, his student, wanting to become immortal, stole the elixir and at the moment when Ho-di was not at home, Chang'e decided to drink it herself.
- After she drank the elixir, Chang'e instantly ascended to heaven and ended up on the moon, where she became the goddess of the moon. From that time, she remained on the moon, and Ho-di, saddened by the loss of his wife, looked sadly at the full moon, hoping that one day she would return.
2.2 Symbols of the legend of Chang'e
The legend of Chang'e is filled with symbolism of sacrifice, love and the search for immortality. In Chinese culture, the Moon is often associated with female nature and motherhood, and the Chang'e myth is the idea of sacrifice for love and family happiness.
- The legend of Chang'e also represents the search for immortality and the desire to achieve eternal harmony and happiness, which echoes the philosophical teachings of Taoism, which emphasizes the desire for eternal improvement and harmony with nature.
3. Rites and Traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival
3.1 Moon Observation
One of the most popular rites of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the observation of the Moon. On this day, the Chinese gather with their families in open areas to admire the full moon. According to tradition, the full moon brings happiness, well-being and harmony to the house.
- The Chinese believe that on this day the Spirits of the Moon are especially close, and that all the desires made under the light of the full Moon have a chance to come true.
3.2 Family dinners and pie exchanges
As with other Chinese holidays, the Mid-Autumn Holiday is a time for family reunification. Moon pies are served at dinner, which become an important symbol of unity and happiness.
- An important element of the holiday is also the exchange of gifts between friends and relatives. Moon pies with various fillings symbolize the wishes of well-being and good luck throughout the year.
4. Mid-autumn holiday today
4.1 Modern Traditions and Celebrations
Today, the Mid-Autumn Holiday continues to be an important cultural event, especially in China, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries with Chinese communities. Large-scale festivals are held in large cities, where huge lanterns are exhibited and festive processions are held.
- The celebration of the holiday has become more modern in recent decades, but the importance of family reunification and moon worship is still an important part of Chinese culture.
Conclusion
The mid-autumn holiday is a bright event that embodies the most important aspects of Chinese culture: harmony, family values and happiness. The legend of Chang'e, the goddess of the moon, with its themes of love, sacrifice and immortality, gives the holiday a magical connotation that continues to be passed down from generation to generation. The holiday retains its importance to both Chinese and Chinese communities around the world, continuing to be not only a time for joy and fun, but also a moment of deep reflection on life, family and eternal harmony.
However, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also inextricably linked with one of the most famous Chinese legends - the legend of Chang'e, the goddess of the moon. This myth of love, sacrifice and the search for immortality formed the basis of many Chinese traditions and rites associated with the holiday. In this article, we will introduce you to the Mid-Autumn Holiday, its history and meaning, and also tell you about the legend of Chang'e, which gives the holiday a special mystical atmosphere.
1. History and significance of the Mid-Autumn Holiday
1.1 Symbolism and origin of the holiday
The holiday of mid-autumn is the time of worship of the moon, which on this day reaches its peak and becomes especially bright. In Chinese culture, the Moon is a symbol of harmony, integrity and full moon, as well as symbolizing reunification. On this day, families come together to celebrate a successful harvest and express gratitude for the fruits of the earth.
- This holiday dates back to ancient times and is associated with agrarian customs, when people celebrated the middle of autumn, as the moment of completion of the agricultural cycle and harvest.
1.2 Moon pies are symbols of family unity
One of the main symbols of the Mid-Autumn Festival are moon pies (月饼, yuèbǐng), which are usually filled with sweet toppings of bean, nut, meat or egg paste. These pies symbolize the moon, which unites people on this day. The round shape of the pies symbolizes family unity, and their sweet taste is associated with happiness and harmony.
- Moon pies are given to family and friends, creating an atmosphere of care and respect, as well as strengthening family ties.
2. Legend of Chang'e: Myth, Love and Immortality
2.1 The plot of the legend of Chang'e
One of the most popular Chinese legends associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is the legend of Chang'e, the goddess of the Moon. According to the myth, Chang'e was a beautiful and kind woman married to Ho-di (后羿, Hòu Yì), a great archer who saved the world from ten suns that burned the earth.
- To reward Ho-di for his feat, the heavenly gods gave him the elixir of immortality. However, Ho-di, being a kind person, did not want to leave his wife and asked to transfer the elixir only in case of emergency. However, his student, wanting to become immortal, stole the elixir and at the moment when Ho-di was not at home, Chang'e decided to drink it herself.
- After she drank the elixir, Chang'e instantly ascended to heaven and ended up on the moon, where she became the goddess of the moon. From that time, she remained on the moon, and Ho-di, saddened by the loss of his wife, looked sadly at the full moon, hoping that one day she would return.
2.2 Symbols of the legend of Chang'e
The legend of Chang'e is filled with symbolism of sacrifice, love and the search for immortality. In Chinese culture, the Moon is often associated with female nature and motherhood, and the Chang'e myth is the idea of sacrifice for love and family happiness.
- The legend of Chang'e also represents the search for immortality and the desire to achieve eternal harmony and happiness, which echoes the philosophical teachings of Taoism, which emphasizes the desire for eternal improvement and harmony with nature.
3. Rites and Traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival
3.1 Moon Observation
One of the most popular rites of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the observation of the Moon. On this day, the Chinese gather with their families in open areas to admire the full moon. According to tradition, the full moon brings happiness, well-being and harmony to the house.
- The Chinese believe that on this day the Spirits of the Moon are especially close, and that all the desires made under the light of the full Moon have a chance to come true.
3.2 Family dinners and pie exchanges
As with other Chinese holidays, the Mid-Autumn Holiday is a time for family reunification. Moon pies are served at dinner, which become an important symbol of unity and happiness.
- An important element of the holiday is also the exchange of gifts between friends and relatives. Moon pies with various fillings symbolize the wishes of well-being and good luck throughout the year.
4. Mid-autumn holiday today
4.1 Modern Traditions and Celebrations
Today, the Mid-Autumn Holiday continues to be an important cultural event, especially in China, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries with Chinese communities. Large-scale festivals are held in large cities, where huge lanterns are exhibited and festive processions are held.
- The celebration of the holiday has become more modern in recent decades, but the importance of family reunification and moon worship is still an important part of Chinese culture.
Conclusion
The mid-autumn holiday is a bright event that embodies the most important aspects of Chinese culture: harmony, family values and happiness. The legend of Chang'e, the goddess of the moon, with its themes of love, sacrifice and immortality, gives the holiday a magical connotation that continues to be passed down from generation to generation. The holiday retains its importance to both Chinese and Chinese communities around the world, continuing to be not only a time for joy and fun, but also a moment of deep reflection on life, family and eternal harmony.