However, when Hou Yi’s apprentice attempted to steal the elixir, Chang’e stopped him by drinking the elixir herself. There are also many myths and legends behind Mid-Autumn Festival, with most well-known being around an archer hero named Hou Yi, and his wife Chang’e.Īs the legend goes, Hou Yi was rewarded with an elixir of immortality after shooting down nine out of the ten suns that ravaged the land with drought and disaster. Over time many traditions evolved around the festival and as well as giving thanks to the moon praying for better luck, fortune and fertility were added with families coming together to celebrate and admire the moon in its full glory. ![]() The Mid-Autumn Festival then became an official celebration during the Tang Dynasty, when the emperors would host a feast to make offerings to the moon in celebration of the year’s harvest. ![]() The full Moon (Harvest Moon in the West) actually falls on September 20th, but appears to be full for about three days at this time of year.įor Hong Kong though, Mid-Autumn is the second-most important holiday after Chinese New Year and has a history dating back over 3,000 year to the Shang Dynasty, when the Emperor of China worshipped the moon for bountiful harvests. The Mid-Autumn Festival also known as Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar or the 21st September this year on the Gregorian calendar. ![]() So ready your lantern’s and lay out your mooncakes, for it is time to gaze at the moon, celebrate the coming harvests and all things lunar! It’s that time of year and the Mid-Autumn Festival is upon us again.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |