The Origin and Legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. It is a time for family reunions, moon viewing, and appreciating the full moon. The festival has a rich history and several legends associated with it.
**Origin:**
The exact origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival is not clear, but it is believed to have its roots in ancient agricultural practices. In ancient China, people worshipped the moon as a symbol of purity and divinity. They also celebrated the harvest, as the full moon in the 8th lunar month marked the end of the rice harvesting season. This is why the festival is also known as the Harvest Moon Festival.
**Legends:**
There are several legends related to the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the most famous one is about the Moon Goddess, Chang'e.
**Chang'e:**
According to the legend, there was an immortal named Hou Yi, who was a great archer and was given the elixir of immortality by the God of the Sun. However, Hou Yi had two wives, and he was afraid that one of them would take the elixir and become immortal. So, he decided to keep the elixir for himself.
One day, when Hou Yi was away from home, the elixir was accidentally found by his wife, Chang'e. She swallowed it and was instantly transported into the sky, landing on the moon. Since then, Chang'e has lived on the moon, and on the night of the full moon, she is believed to look down at the earth and miss her family.
To commemorate Chang'e, people started to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival by looking at the full moon, eating mooncakes, and lighting lanterns.
**Other Legends:**
1. **The Rabbit on the Moon:** Another popular legend is about a rabbit living on the moon that churns the elixir of immortality for Chang'e. The rabbit is often depicted in Chinese art and is an integral part of the Mid-Autumn Festival's folklore.
2. **The Moon God and the Moon Goddess:** Some believe that the moon is the abode of a Moon God and his wife, the Moon Goddess. They are seen as protective spirits of the family, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time when Chinese people gather with their families, enjoy the full moon, eat mooncakes, and listen to the tales of Chang'e and the moon rabbit. This beautiful tradition has been passed down through generations, making it one of the most cherished festivals in China.
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