Added: 01/05/2006 |
Autumn Moon Festival: pray the moon for some fortuneThe moon is a favourite image of the Chinese poetry, painting and literature. It is breathed life in the plays and tales standing in the same line with gods and people. The moon worship is an old tradition in China, Autumn Moon Festival being its reflection. There is a belief in China that the prayers directed to the moon will bring happiness, love, family solidity, and fortune. Autumn Moon Festival is the time when the moon is at its brightest and roundest. This event unites close people making them get over long distances to see each other, talk, eat mooncakes and sing the moon songs.
The moon symbolizes the feminine principle in Chinese customs, so the Festival is also known as a women fest. Only females used to take part in Ancient Moon Festivals at full moon nights. Once the full moon appeared in the dark night sky, women made offerings of incense, candles, fruit, flowers, and mooncakes to the heavenly marvel praying for good health, family accord, and fortune.
Children most enjoy Autumn Moon Festival, as this day they are allowed to be awake till late and eat their favorite mooncakes, a symbol of the Festival. Originally mooncakes were made of sweet bean-paste, with golden brown flaky skin and a whole egg yolk in the center to symbolize the moon, but now you can find any cakes you want (in case you need something special). There exist even mooncakes of yoghurt, jelly and ice-cream. It is a good practice to bake different wishes and declarations of love into the mooncakes. And the moments the whole family is sitting in the garden looking at the moon and eating the cakes can really make you believe that the world is perfect.
Autumn Moon Festival in China is ideal for the beloved to dream about their future. You can see the couples everywhere when outside in the Moon Festival evening. And even if you are separated with your significant other the Festival will help you feel as if you are close - just look at the moon simultaneously, and it will unite your souls.
Moon Festival does not have an exact celebration date. It is usually the 15th moon day of the 8th Chinese lunar month. Thus, the latest Moon Festival 2005 took place on September 18. One of the most fascinating and popular events during Moon Festival is Lantern Competition. A range of lanterns especially made for the Festival is offered in local shops, but children typically create different lanterns themselves and then walk all around the city with these hand-mades. That moment the streets and houses start flashing orange, red, green, blue, and violet. Having seen it once, you will never forget this light parade.
As for the fest food, the Chinese believe that red color brings luck, so they eat lobster and salmon. The green of the day is apples, pomegranates, roasted peanuts, chestnuts, and others. And, of course, mooncakes must not be forgotten! Yet, they are not to be eaten before the moon rise. So, late evening is waited to try so longed-for pastry, tell ancient legends, and listen to beautiful silence of the night.
Nowadays Moon Festival becomes more and more popular around the world. But only the Chinese people can understand and value its real charm, sense and symbolism. Nevertheless, this fact cannot prevent you from enjoying the Festival if you are lucky to get to China in September. So, don't miss this beautiful holiday - it is really worth seeing.
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