The annual lunar August 15, is the traditional Mid-Autumn festival. It is at this time a year the middle of autumn, so called Mid-Autumn festival. August 15 moon is brighter than other several months more round full moon, so they are called " the moon " and "the mid autumn festival".

Introduction of Mid-Autumn festival

That night, people look up to the sky like jade such as dish has a bright moon, nature would look forward to their families. People would also like to take this to all my hometown and relatives thoughts of love. So, the Mid-Autumn festival is also called "the mid autumn festival".

Local Customs

Worship the moon

The Mid-Autumn Festival family feast custom

See moon Eat moon cakes

Rabbit doll Watch lanterns

Dragon dance

See Qian Tang River tide

The story about the lady takes place around 2170 B.C. At that time, the earth had ten suns circling it, each taking its turn to illuminate to the earth. But one day all ten suns appeared together, scorching the earth with their heat. The earth was saved by a strong and tyrannical archer named Hou Yi. He succeeded in shooting down nine of the suns.

Legend 1

One day, Hou Yi stole the elixir of life from a goddess. However, his beautiful wife Chang E drank the elixir of life in order to save the people from her husband's tyrannical rule. After drinking it, she found herself floating and flew all they way to the moon. Hou Yi loved his divinely beautiful wife so much, he refused to shoot down the moon.

In the 14th century, the eating of moon cakes at the Mid-Autumn Festival was given a new significance. The story goes that when Zhu Yuan Zhang was plotting to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty started by the Mongolians, the rebels hid their messages in the Mid-Autumn moon cakes. The Mid-Autumn Festival is hence also a commemoration of the overthrow of the Mongolians by the Han people.

Legend 2

望月怀远Looking At The Moon And Thinking Of One Far Away

海上生明月 The moon, grown full now over the sea,天涯共此时 Brightening the whole of heaven,情人怨遥夜 Brings to separated hearts竟夕起相思 The long thoughtfulness of night....灭烛怜光满 It is no darker though I blow out my candle.披衣觉露滋 It is no warmer though I put on my coat.不堪盈手赠 So I leave my message with the moon还寝梦佳期 And turn to my bed, hoping for dreams.

―― 张九龄