Chinese Mid- Autumn Harvest Festival
The Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most
celebrated Chinese holidays. It is held on the 15th day
of the 8th lunar month. Chinese families enjoy the
full moon which is a symbol of abundance,
harmony and luck. They celebrate the end of
the harvest season with a big feast.
Chinese Children make mooncakes
Unlike the
American Thanksgiving dinner, the Chinese
have mooncakes instead of grandma' apple pie.
Friends and relatives also send mooncakes to
each other as a way of giving thanks. Along with
the delicious mooncakes, the children enjoy lit lanterns,
puppet shows and lantern processions.
Panda celebrates the Moon festival with special mooncakeMoon Festival
Giclee Print
The Giclee printing process delivers a fine stream of ink resulting in vivid,
pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for museum or gallery display.
This art print is produced on a heavy 310 gsm, acid-free and watercolor textured paper.
Chinese legends say that the moon is at its brightest
and roundest on this day. Under this bright autumn moon,
friendships are made and renewed. For many years,
Chinese poets wrote about long lost lovers finding their
way to each other on this special night.
It is said to be the perfect night for a romantic rendezvous.
Moon Lantern at Chinese Lantern Festival (Yuen Sui),
Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
No one can be sure of the origins of the Harvest Moon Festival
also called the Mid-Autumn Festival. The origins were romanticized
by the story of Chang Er, who was believed to have taken a pill
and became a fairy and flew to the moon to escape
from the pursuit of her husband. It was thought that
we could see Chang Er on the moon when it is at its brightest.
The exact date in the Western calendar changes from year
to year but it is approximately in September.
Girls Dressed in Traditional Clothing for Loi Krathong,
a Full Moon Festival, Thailand
The August Moon Festival is often called the Women's Festival.
The moon symbolizes beauty and elegance. While Westerners
worship the sun (yang or male) for its power, people in the Far
East admire the moon. The moon is the 'yin' or
female principle and it is a trusted friend.
Dragon Procession at Harvest Moon Festival in Chinatown, San Francisco, California, USA
In fact, many ancient August Moon folktales
are about a moon maiden. On the 15th night
of the 8th lunar moon, little children on earth
can see a lady on the moon. On this magical
occasion, children who make wishes to the Lady
on the Moon will find their dreams come true.
The Moon Festival is celebrated all over Asia
like Malaysia, Thailand, Laos etc.
Books on the Moon Festival
