**Folk customs 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 holds great significance and is filled with various customs and traditions. Here are some of the key customs associated with this festive occasion:
1. **Moon Viewing and Appreciation**: The most famous custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival is moon viewing. People gather outdoors to admire the full moon, which is considered to be the roundest and brightest of the year. This practice symbolizes reunion and family harmony.
2. **Mooncakes**: Mooncakes are the iconic food of the Mid-Autumn Festival. These round pastries come in various flavors, such as lotus seed, egg yolk, and red bean. They symbolize completeness and reunion, with the round shape representing the full moon.
3. **Dragon Lanterns**: In some regions, people set off dragon lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival. These lanterns, which are often made of paper and bamboo, are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
4. **Lantern Rides**: In certain areas, families take to the streets on the night of the festival to enjoy lantern rides. They carry lanterns that light up the night, creating a festive atmosphere.
5. **Pumpkin Carving**: In some cultures, carving a pumpkin is a Mid-Autumn Festival tradition. This practice is similar to the Halloween tradition but is not as widespread as it is in the United States.
6. **Dancing Dragons and Lions**: Similar to the Chinese New Year, lion and dragon dances are often performed during the Mid-Autumn Festival to bring prosperity and happiness to the community.
7. **Poetry Reading**: The Mid-Autumn Festival has a long history of poetry, with many famous Chinese poets writing about the full moon, family reunions, and the passage of time.
**Origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival**
The Mid-Autumn Festival has its origins in ancient Chinese agricultural practices. It is believed to have started during the reign of Emperor Tang Xuan Zong in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The festival is closely associated with the harvest, as the 8th lunar month is when crops are fully ripe and harvested.
One of the most popular legends about the festival's origin involves the moon god Chang'e. According to the story, Chang'e fled to the moon after consuming an elixir of immortality, leaving her husband on Earth. Since then, the Mid-Autumn Festival has become a time for people to remember and celebrate Chang'e's story, often involving the eating of mooncakes and admiring the full moon.
In summary, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions, moon观赏, and the celebration of harvest and the lunar cycle. Its rich traditions and origins continue to be cherished and celebrated by people of Chinese descent around the world.
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