Hou Yi – an archer and member of the Imperial Guard 16 – was said to have saved the earth from scorching when he shot down nine of the 10 suns circling the planet. 14 Another popular story about the Mid-autumn Festival is the moon rabbit. 13 This myth is said to have originated from storytellers in the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), and even as far back as the time of Emperor Yao (2346 BCE). 12Īmong the Chinese, the most popular of all the tales connected with the Mid-autumn Festival is that of Chang-E, also known as the Moon Lady, and her husband Hou Yi. 11 It was during the reign of Emperor Tai (Northern Song dynasty) that the 15th day of the eighth month was designated as mid-autumn’s day. Legends associated with the full moon became attached to this festival. 10 Most scholars believe that the Mid-autumn Festival first appeared during the Song dynasty, derived from the tradition of worshipping the moon. The festival started more than 2,000 years ago as a post-autumn harvest celebration, which was devoted to thanking the gods. The day of the Mid-autumn Festival is traditionally thought to be auspicious for weddings, as the moon goddess is believed to extend conjugal bliss to couples. 8 The festival also coincides with the end of the autumn harvest, marking the end of the Hungry Ghost Festival, which occurs during the seventh lunar month. 7 The Mid-autumn Festival is associated with the moon and “moon appreciation” ( shangyue) parties, particularly because the moon is at its brightest during this time. 6 Shaped round like the full moon, mooncakes signify reunion. The full moon is considered a symbol of reunion, as such the Mid-autumn Festival is also known as the Reunion Festival. 4 Moon-viewing parties is one way to enjoy the occasion, with family and friends sitting in gardens lit by paper lanterns, sipping tea, nibbling on mooncakes, and if so inspired, composing poetry in venerable Tang Dynasty fashion. 3 The custom of offering sacrifices to the moon has been replaced by celebrating the festival with family and friends. 2 These days, however, it has become more common to give mooncakes as gifts than to eat them during the festival. 1 In Singapore, mooncakes and lanterns are offered for sale as early as a month before the festival. It is called the Mid-autumn Festival because the 15th day is the middle of a month, and the eighth lunar month is in the middle of autumn. The Mid-autumn Festival (or Zhong Qiu Jie in Mandarin), also known as the Mooncake Festival, falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.
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