Chinese Moon Festival Background

The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month, it is based on the lunar calendar and is the first full moon in September usually. In 2008, it falls on September 14th. It is in the middle of Autumn and is a harvest festival. With wheat traditionally being harvested in the North and Rice in the South of China. It's the Chinese equivalent of Thanksgiving. In rural China, the Moon Festival celebrated a bountiful harvest, as the first Thanksgiving did for the Pilgrims.

Legend of the Moon Festival

Lady Chang Er
The legend of Lady Chang Er, daughter of the River God dates back to around 2170 BC. Her husband, Hou Yi shoots down the 9 extra suns that were threatening the Earth, and as his reward he was given an elixir of life by the Yellow Emperor. Unfortunately he became a tyrant, and Lady Chang Er to her their people, drank the potion in one story, another it's a pill, and another a magic peach. Another version has her wanting to be immortal too, and stealing the pill of the elixir of life. After eating it, she floats up to the moon, and coughed up the pill which created the Jade Rabbit, also known as the white rabbit and
Moon Hare. The Jade Rabbit has ever since tried to make the immortality portion. Hou Yi became the god of the sun, and is allowed once each month, on the full moon, to visit his wife, and on this day legend says the Moon shines brightest because of their love. The Moon Festival was also a time traditionally for family gatherings and reading Moon Poetry. Many people looking at the moon see a rabbit on the moon.

Tang Emperor Xuan Zong
Another legend is the Tang Emperor Xuan Zong had the help of a Taoist priest, who threw up his walking stick that created a bridge to the moon. The emperor followed the priest up the bridge and entered the moon palace, where he saw the jade rabbit attempting to make the elixir of life. The emperor saw moon maidens dancing and singing music and on his return created a song and dance piece called "Rainbow Petticoats and Feather Dresses".

Wu Gang, the Moon's Woodcutter
Another legend is of Wu Gang, the Moon's Woodcutter. He tries again and again to cut down the Moon's tree of immortality, that just magically heals after every cut of his. He was sentenced to this by the Jade Emperor for selfishly seeking the elixir of immortality.

Traditional Food eaten during the Moon Festival
Taro, Pomelo (Chinese Grapefruit), and Snails. The Taro because it saved Chinese soldiers from starvations, Pomelo because the sweet fruit is believed to scare off evil and it has a round shape. Snails as a reminder of the earth's wealth. Dishes served should be 5, 7, or 9 because these are lucky yang numbers.

Moon Cakes
Moon Cakes symbolize both longevity and good health. They are imprinted with the Moon Goddess, a grove, Jade Rabbit, or a toad. The centers can contain red bean paste (sweat), lotus seed paste, melon, dried fruits, coconut, pineapple, and often have an egg inside. In the 14th Century, messages were contained within the Moon Cakes for secret communication against for a rebellion against the ruling Mongols ( Yuan Dynasty founded by Kublai Khan) that replace them
with the Ming Dynasty. Moon Cakes are credited with the victory.

Moon Cake Symbolizes

* The yolk symbolizes the moon.
* Moon Cakes are round like the moon.
* The circle (shape of the Moon Cake) is a symbol of harmony.
* The round shape also stands for family unity
* The round shape symbolizes the cycle of life
* Connects the past, present, and future
* Long life and good health


Celebrating the Moon Festival
There are many Moon festivals and concerts in the US and Canada that people go to. Moon Cakes are sold by Chinese Bakeries and given as gifts by business for consumption on the day of the Moon Festival. Moon Poetry is also read under the full moon. Children used to buy different kinds of clay toys.

Future Dates:

* October 3, 2009
* September 22, 2009
* September 22, 2010
* September 12, 2011
* September 30, 2012


Other Moon Festival Resources:

* Chinese Moon Festival Calendar of Events for the United States and Canada
* Chinese Moon Festival Books and Stories
* Moon Cakes - Where to Buy/Purchase
* Moon Festival Coloring Pictures
* Chinese Moon Festival Background

ChildBook.com has been helping children in the United States learn more about Chinese Language and culture since 1997. Families and schools may purchase chinese learning educational materials teaching Chinese language and culture in both English and Chinese. You can visit childbook.com for more information on moon festival calendar of events in US and educational resources on chinese moon festival for your kids.