Mid-Autumn Festival 2024

ال  Mid-Autumn Festival , also known as the  Moon Festival  أو  Mooncake Festival , is a  harvest festival  celebrated in  Chinese culture .

It is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the  Chinese lunisolar calendar  with a  full moon  at night, corresponding to mid-September to early October of the  Gregorian calendar .  

On this day, the Chinese believe that the moon is at its brightest and fullest size, coinciding with harvest time in the middle of autumn.

During the festival, lanterns of all size and shapes – which symbolize beacons that light people's path to prosperity and good fortune – are carried and displayed  Mooncakes , a rich pastry typically filled with sweet-bean, egg yolk, meat or lotus-seed paste, are traditionally eaten during this festival.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is based on the legend of  Chang'e , the Moon goddess in  Chinese mythology .

The festival celebrates three fundamental concepts that are closely connected:

• Gathering : Such as family and friends coming together, or harvesting crops for the festival. It is said that the Moon is the brightest and roundest on this day which means family reunion. Consequently, this is the main reason why the festival is thought to be important.
• Giving thanks : To give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions through activities like giving mooncakes to each other.
• Praying  (asking for conceptual or material satisfaction): Praying for things such as babies, a spouse, beauty, longevity, or a good future

Traditions and myths surrounding the festival are formed around these concepts,  although traditions have changed over time due to changes in technology, science, economy, culture, and religion.

Celebration:

Burning  incense  in reverence to deities including  Chang'e;

Performance of  dragon  و  lion dances , which is mainly practiced in southern China