This is one of the most important festivals in Asia and, like almost all of them, has its explanation in mythology.
The story of love and sacrifice between Hou Yi and Chang Er, which ends with the latter’s ascension to the moon, is more than three thousand years old.
The Mid-Autumn or Lunar Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, so the exact date varies in the Gregorian calendar.
On this day, Chinese people enjoy a day off work when families come together to play, share, make lanterns and hang them in their homes, and most importantly, eat small round cakes filled with various ingredients are.
Known as mooncakes, these sweets bear motifs from Chinese cultural traditions on their surface and are usually eaten with tea.
The party lasts into the night as everyone gathers to enjoy the moon together and “officially” enter fall.
It must be taken into account that in Asia, as an agricultural society, the change of seasons had an impact on the harvest.
Especially during this time, rice and corn were collected, so families also used the festival to thank the gods.
jha/idm