AlThe origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival

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Introduction

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the important traditional Chinese festivals, usually celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. There are many legends and stories about the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

One of the most famous legends is the story about Chang'e flying to the moon. Legend has it that a long time ago, ten suns appeared at the same time in China, which caused great troubles to people's lives. Later, the mythical hero Hou Yi used divine arrows to shoot down nine suns and save people's lives. In order to repay Hou Yi, the Queen Mother gave him a medicine of immortality, but Hou Yi's wife Chang'e secretly took the medicine. She flew up to the moon and became a fairy in the moon palace. Every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, people worship the moon on this day to express their thoughts and prayers.

In addition, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also related to farming culture and harvest. In the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it is the time of autumn harvest. People celebrate the harvest and thank the land for its gifts. Therefore, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also regarded as a time for family reunion. People will enjoy the moon together, taste moon cakes, give each other gifts, and spend happy time together.

These legends and customs together constitute the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival, making the Mid-Autumn Festival one of the important traditional festivals in Chinese culture.

What are the celebrations of the Mid-Autumn Festival?

There are many kinds of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. Here are some common Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations:

1. Moon Appreciation : An important tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival is appreciating the moon. People will watch the bright full moon outdoors or on their balcony and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the moon. Sometimes poetry competitions or moon-viewing parties are held to add to the festive atmosphere.

2. Eating mooncakes : Mooncakes are a must-have traditional food during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Moon cake is a round pastry with rich and varied fillings. Common ones include lotus paste, bean paste, five kernels, etc. People share mooncakes with their families, relatives and friends, symbolizing reunion and blessings.

3. Making lanterns : In some places, people will make and display various exquisite lanterns, such as paper lanterns, colored lanterns, etc. Lanterns are beautifully made and come in various shapes. They are often used to decorate homes and streets, adding to the festive atmosphere of the festival.

4. Guessing lantern riddles : Guessing lantern riddles is one of the traditional games of the Mid-Autumn Festival. People would write cryptic clues or riddles on the riddles, and others would guess the answers. This is an intellectually challenging and entertaining activity that is often performed during celebrations.

5. Hold family gatherings : The Mid-Autumn Festival is an important time for family reunions, and many people will return home to spend the festival with their families. Family members will enjoy the moon together, eat, chat, and share each other's joy and longing.

6. Giving gifts : During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people also give each other gifts to express blessings and love. Common gifts include mooncake gift boxes, tea, fruits, candies, etc. This is a traditional social custom used to strengthen the emotional connection between people.

These colorful celebrations make the Mid-Autumn Festival a festival for family reunions and joy. Different regions and individuals may also have some special celebration methods and customs.

Are there any other legends or stories related to the Mid-Autumn Festival?

When it comes to Mid-Autumn Festival legends and stories, there are several classic stories that are closely related to this festival. Here are some of them:

1. Chang'e flying to the moon: This is one of the most famous legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival. According to legend, ten suns appeared in the sky, causing drought on the earth and making people's lives difficult. The hero Hou Yi shot down nine suns and saved the people. As a reward, he received the elixir of immortality. However, the jealous Queen Chang'e secretly took the medicine and flew to the moon. Every year on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, when people admire the moon, they will miss Chang'e and remember Hou Yi's heroic deeds.

2. Hou Yi shot the sun: This story is also related to Hou Yi. Mutually. According to legend, ten suns appeared in the sky at the same time, scorching the earth and making it impossible for people to continue their lives. In order to save people, Hou Yi shot down nine suns and saved the earth. This story is also related to the Mid-Autumn Festival legend of Chang'e flying to the moon, because Hou Yi's deeds helped people through difficult times.

3. Marrying a Girl in the Moon Palace: This legend is related to the legend of Chang'e flying to the moon. According to legend, Chang'e is a fairy in the Moon Palace, and the Queen Mother of the Moon Palace wants her to marry a human husband to alleviate her loneliness in the Moon Palace. Chang'e chose a warrior named Xing Tian as her husband. However, they were discovered by the Queen Mother, and Chang'e was forced to return to the Moon Palace and be separated from her husband. Every year on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, when people admire the moon, they will think of this story and miss Chang'e and the love between her and her husband.

These legends and stories are part of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. Through telling and passing on, people can better understand and feel the cultural connotation of this traditional festival. At the same time, these stories also reflect ancient people's understanding and expression of nature, life and human relationships.