In China, the Mid-Autumn festival symbolizes the family reunion and on this day, all families will appreciate the moon in the evening, because it is the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest. These beliefs made it popular among women to worship and give offerings to the moon on this evening. The ancient Chinese believed in rejuvenation being associated with the moon and water, and connected this concept to the menstruation of women, calling it ‘monthly water.’ The Zhuang people, for example, have an ancient fable saying the sun and moon are a couple and the stars are their children, and when the moon is pregnant, it becomes round, and then becomes crescent after giving birth to a child. Moon CelebrationĪn important part of the festival celebration is moon worship. Since the Ming Dynasty, moon cakes were only eaten at the Mid-Autumn Festival, which was the main offering of moon sacrifice popular among the people. The custom of eating moon cakes at the Mid-Autumn Festival also began in the Tang Dynasty amongst the nobles but did not became a common food custom for all people until the Ming Dynasty. Later in the Tang Dynasty, not just the rich merchants and officials, but also the common citizens, began appreciating the moon together. The common citizens just prayed to the moon for a good harvest. Music and dances were also indispensable. They drank and appreciated the bright moon. Following the emperors, rich merchants and officials held big parties in their courts. In the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD), appreciating the moon became popular among the upper classes. The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the worship of celestial phenomena, it evolved from the worship of the moon in autumn in ancient times when ancient Chinese emperors offered sacrifices to the moon in autumn to pray for a good harvest in the coming year. Much of the traditions and folklore surrounding the festival are formed around these concepts, although traditions have changed over time due to changes in technology, science, economy, culture, and religion. Praying, asking for conceptual or material satisfaction, such as for babies, a spouse, beauty, longevity, or for a good future.
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