Held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture.
In the Gregorian calendar it usually corresponds to mid-September, but this year it falls on October 6, so what better moment to introduce it if not now? Earlier this year I wrote about the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, and, although they are two different festivities, the Moon Festival and the Chinese New Year actually share a lot of sentiments, such as family reunion, reverence for life, blessings for family members, and cultural spirit. Thousands, if not millions, of people travel each year across the globe to reunite with their families for the Mid-Autumn Festival, longing for that affection and sense of togetherness that only loved ones can give.
However, like its name says, this festivity, yes, is to honour the family, but most of all, to honour the moon.
The question comes easy then… Why is that?
The Moon Festival gained popularity and became an official celebration during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), although there’s no single answer to when and how it began. While I was researching its origins, in fact, I found various sources that stated that it was born during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE)—to celebrate the harvest season during the full moon in autumn—and also that this observance was supposedly first mentioned in the ‘Rites of Zhou’, a written collection of rituals and bureaucracy dating back more than 2000 years.
Its roots may not be certain, but one thing’s for sure, because, either way, they all paid respect to the moon. Humans have always been fascinated by our beautiful pearl in the sky, and this stems from the tradition of worshipping celestial bodies in ancient societies, not only in East Asia but all around the world. In my ‘Ode to the Moon’ article, I’ve written, in fact, about how our satellite, shining at night in the darkness of the heavens, has always brought us a tender feeling of comfort, security, and hope. Therefore, it’s not at all surprising that, with her phases and the impression that she dies and is reborn every month, our pearl in the sky is shrouded in myth in almost every culture.
And so is, of course, the Moon Festival.
There are various legends related to this fête, but the most popular one is the one of Hou Yi, a heroic and skilled archer,and his beautiful wife Chang’e. The story tells that, long ago, the earth was circled by 10 blazing suns, and that Hou Yi, after being called from the Emperor, managed to shoot down 9 of them, leaving only one sun and thus saving the entire world. In the myth, then, Hou Yi is rewarded for his courage with an elixir of immortality, which he plans to share with his wife so that they can live together for all eternity.
Quite the romantic.
Unfortunately, however, in the legend, Hou Yi never reaches immortality, because, in the attempt to save it from being stolen, Chang’e drinks it herself. It said that her body grew so light that she began floating in the sky until she finally reached the moon, the closest place to Earth she could find. Once Hou Yi discovered what had happened to Chang’e, although heartbroken, he began bringing gifts, cakes, and fruits, as well as burning incense to honour her and feel close to her. And it is from his tender devotion that the Moon Festival was at last born.
Now, the Mid-Autumn Festival is indeed a Chinese fête; however, it is also celebrated throughout Asia and various other parts of the world. From South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and a lot more countries, they all pay great respect to the family and to the moon, each of them commemorating the festivity in their own traditional way.
But how is it specifically celebrated in China?
That’s a great question!
China is a big country; therefore, traditions and celebrations can vary from one place to another, offering a rich diversity of colours and patterns—from entire provinces to even individual villages—like answering lantern riddles, reciting poetry, and performing arts. But what are the most popular ones?
First of all is to meet up with family members and enjoy a dinner together. It’s an important moment to spend with loved ones, a moment when people reunite to form a full circle, exactly like the moon. Then we have, of course, honouring our pearl in the sky. It is indeed said that on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, our satellite is at its brightest and its fullest, so this October 6, don’t forget to just sit outside and admire her, perhaps, a little bit longer. Lanterns are also a must during this festivity. People make them, carry them, hang them in trees or houses, or release them (either in the sky or in water) with wishes written on them, for good luck. Lanterns have been associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival since the Tang Dynasty, probably because of their traditional symbolism of light, luck, and familiar togetherness, and they can have many forms and shapes, such as animals, plants, or even flowers. Then we have riddles, parades, performances, dances… But the most important of them all, the one that ties the entire nation together, is, obviously, Mooncakes.
Mooncakes are a traditional Chinese dessert and a must-eat during this festivity, consisting of a thick, tender pastry skin enveloping a usually sweet, dense filling. Depending on the region and custom, they can either be baked, steamed, or fried, but what makes them most recognisable is their unmistakable, circular shape that not only symbolises the moon but also reunion and happiness. Its origins are associated with Chang’e and the gifts that Hou Yi brought her after she ascended to the moon; however, there are a few other popular tales about its roots. One of them being that mooncakes were used by revolutionaries (between 1271 CE and 1368 CE) as a clever means to pass hidden messages in an attempt to overthrow the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty.
Either way, whether in legend or in myth, we can say that mooncakes are absolutely delicious. There are so many versions of them, and much like lanterns, they can have different shapes. The most common ones are the traditional Cantonese-style baked mooncake—the skin is soft, and it’s usually filled with lotus paste or red bean (sometimes it can have one or two salted egg yolks in the middle). Then there’s also the Wuren Chashao—filled with mixed nuts, seeds, and roasted pork; the Shanghai Mooncake—crumbly, buttery skin; the Teochew Mooncake—the rainbow mooncake; and hundreds more. There are so many to choose from, but, either way, it doesn’t matter which one you pick, because the most important thing about mooncakes (and the thing they all have in common) is that they’re meant to be shared with loved ones. As a matter of fact, mooncakes are usually cut into small pieces, so each person can have a small bite, truly embodying the sentiment of this fête… family.
Precisely like the Spring Festival, this festivity is all about family reunion. And in our chaotic lives, it is far more than just symbolism. It’s a moment for communication, solace, and warmth, and it’s a rare occasion to savour delightful mooncakes, revisit the past and our most treasured memories, and dream of the future, even if we’re on our own and far away.
But if you were to ask my opinion, I would say that what I love the most about the Moon Festival is how it gently reminds us that, whether we’re near or far, in the same town or on the other side of the world, thousands of years ago or today, we’re all gazing at the same moon.
P.S.
Chang’e is said to have a lovely white rabbit as a pet, called the Jade Rabbit, and that’s why we often see one accompany her everywhere.
Up, Full Moon with White Rabbit by Ohara Koson (circa 1920)
Sources:
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
Mid-Autumn Festival: Mooncakes, lanterns and so much more
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: 2025 How and When to Celebrate
Why Do We Eat Mooncakes During The Mid-Autumn Festival?
Reflecting on Tradition: Contemporary Art’s Homage to the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Library of the Unseen 
Penny for your thoughts…