Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 中秋節快樂!!
Mooncake is delicious and high in calories.
Today is the holiday called the Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrating the autumnal equinox. It is celebrated throughout China and Vietnam: in China it is called 中秋節 (zung1cau1zit3, Zhōngqiūjié), and in Vietnamese its name is “Tết Trung Thu”, literally Mid-Autumn Festival. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which explains the Min Chinese name 八月節 (Peh-go̍eh-cheh, “8th Month Festival”). Typical sights during celebrations of Mid-Autumn Festival are red lanterns and mooncakes. It is said that the reason we celebrate the Festival with mooncakes is that during the 14th century Mongol rule, since the Mongols did not eat mooncake (it’s a cultural thing), the Chinese distributed messages through mooncake and organized a rebellion that culminated with an uprising on the very day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the 15th day of the 8th month. If you’re not out playing mahjong with your family and friends check the local Chinatown for celebrations. The Los Angeles Chinatown is hosting its 72nd annual Chinatown Moon Festival this saturday, replete with shows, exhibitions, and workshops. There’s even a “mooncake making demo” which I’m really excited about. If you’re in the area I’ll see you there!
Related posts:
Happy Lunar New Year! Year of the Metal Rabbit!
I happened to see a flying latern yesterday night (either that or a UFO) – it looked so graceful floating along.
Today there were leaves all over the paths where there were none yesterday, too. Spooky!
[Reply]
MakMak Reply:
October 3rd, 2010 at 1:56 am
UFO eh? that sounds hauntingly pretty
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