Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in China, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The festival is known for moon watching, eating mooncakes, and various customs. Here is an overview of the legend and origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival:
**Legend of Chang'e and Hou Yi:**
The most famous legend associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival revolves around the Moon Goddess Chang'e and the legendary archer Hou Yi. According to the story, Hou Yi was a highly skilled archer who shot nine suns into the sky, saving the world from excessive heat. In appreciation, the immortals bestowed upon him an elixir of immortality. However, his wife, Chang'e, consumed it by accident and flew into the sky, landing on the moon.
The legend tells that every Mid-Autumn Festival, Chang'e becomes visible in the full moon. Families gather to celebrate, hoping that the full moon will bring good fortune and prosperity.
**Origin and Development:**
The origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival dates back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC). Initially, the festival was celebrated as an agricultural thanksgiving to pay tribute to the moon and the harvest. The full moon was seen as a symbol of abundance and was believed to be a time for reunion and thanksgiving.
The tradition of mooncake consumption is also ancient, believed to have started during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Mooncakes were traditionally offered to the moon in gratitude for a good harvest. Over time, mooncakes have become a symbol of reunion and have been given as gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The festival is also associated with other stories, including those of the ancient Chinese astronomer Gao Chang and the Moon Deity. The Mid-Autumn Festival continues to be an important occasion for family gatherings and cultural exchange, emphasizing the value of family bonds and the importance of celebrating the natural beauty of the moon.
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