The people rejoiced and, as an act of thanks, the Queen of Heaven bestowed on Hou Yi an elixir of immortality. With great skill, Hou Yi shot down nine of the suns and left only one to provide light. They scorched the plants, dried up the rivers, and caused the death of many people. ![]() One year, ten suns rose into the sky and brought catastrophe to earth. According to legend, there was once a hero named Hou Yi who was an accomplished archer. The festival is often attributed to Chang’e, who is sometimes referred to as the Moon Goddess of Immortality. With the full moon above you and the laughter of happy families pervading the night air, the atmosphere on Mid-Autumn Festival is truly magical. Many of the parks and tourist attractions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, and other major cities will hold a myriad of exciting activities including dancing, letting off sky lanterns, serving delicious festival food, and playing delightful games such as “chasing the moon”. If you want to take part in this peaceful and spiritual festival, there are plenty of places that hold outdoor group activities across China. ![]() This way, if you and your family are looking at the moon at the same time, you are both connected. The moon’s round shape symbolises family unity and so, even if you can’t make it home, it is considered pertinent to admire the moon alone and think of your family. Thus nowadays the Mid-Autumn Festival is considered a time for families to come together in quiet appreciation for what they have, much like Thanksgiving in America and the Harvest Festival in England.ĭuring the festival families will share moon cakes, admire the full moon, and burn incense. Then they would pray for a good harvest in the following year and for other, less tangible ideals such as good fortune, longevity, and marital bliss. They would give thanks for the harvest and for the harmonious relationships between them. Families and friends used to gather together after harvesting the crops. In the past, the festival celebrated three main concepts: gathering, thanksgiving, and praying. It always falls on the night of a full moon, earning it the names Moon Festival, Mooncake Festival, and Harvest Moon Festival. ![]() It is a 3,000-year-old harvest festival that takes place on the 15 th day of the 8 th month according to the Chinese lunar calendar, meaning it falls sometime between September and October. The Mid-Autumn Festival, the second most important festival in China, evolved from this concept of moon worship. Who hasn’t admired the full moon hanging like a shimmering white pearl? How often have we imagined the shapes and shadows on the moon to be animals, people, or even old gods? It is no wonder that moon worship has been practised throughout the world for centuries.
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