Mooncakes and the Mid-Autumn Festival
Back to feed- Posted: 9/21/2017
- Categories: Discoveries at the Jungle
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Mooncakes are a sometimes decadent, oftentimes sweet, and all the time intriguing celebratory treat traditionally only available during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival – also known as the Moon Festival (hence the mooncakes). There are a few reasons these particular treats are so interesting, some of them mythical in nature, some of them secretive and even practical considering the tensions and needs of the time. And much like the festival itself, it’s a poignant callback to the storied and lengthy history of Chinese culture, as well as a gentle reminder of how that history informs the present day.
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The Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration that dates back thousands of years… at least 3,000, as far as we know. What has turned into a celebration dedicated to reuniting family members from all across the globe started out as a way to offer sacrifice to the Moon, which was believed to bring about a bountiful harvest the following year. This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on October 4, 2017.
Traditionally, mooncakes, watermelons, plums, incense, and other spherical fruits and snacks are laid out on a large table, and placed in the |
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yard under the moon. Mooncakes and watermelons are essential to any offering, though, so they have always been a part of the ceremony.
Some fun facts about the Mid-Autumn Festival:
- The Chinese Moon Festival is the second most important festival in China behind only Chinese New Year.
- The date for the Mid-Autumn Festival is different every year, taking place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar. This year’s celebration is on October 4!
- The moon is seen as a symbol of family reunion, so the Mid-Autumn Festival has turned into a time of heavy travel and reunion for those spread across the country and world.
- Mooncakes also symbolize reunion, so they are cut into pieces equal to the number of individuals in their family.
- It is not uncommon for boxes of “luxury” mooncakes to cost more than an iPhone!
- The Mid-Autumn Festival itself was around long before mooncakes, almost a full 600 years!
We’re celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with a wide range of mooncakes at both locations, and encourage you stop by and pick one up for a celebration of your own!
Do you celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival? Let us know your family traditions in the comments below!
