🎑 中秋节快乐！Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
Today, China celebrates its second most important traditional holiday after the Lunar New Year — the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节 [zhōngqiū jié]), also known as the Moon Festival.
Would you like to know what makes this day so special? Keep reading 😉
🌕 When is the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated?
This festival takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest (usually between late September and early October). Since it follows the lunar calendar, its date varies every year on the Gregorian calendar.
🥮 What does the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrate?
The festival’s origins go back over 3,000 years, to the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC), when people worshiped the moon to give thanks for the harvest. Over time, it evolved into a day centered on family reunion and togetherness.
In Chinese culture, roundness symbolizes unity and completeness. Even the word for family reunion — 团圆 [tuányuán] — contains the character for “round” (团). What better time to gather with loved ones than under a full, round moon?
🏮 How is it celebrated?
Families come together to share dinner, admire the full moon, and enjoy mooncakes (月饼 [yuèbǐng]), the traditional pastry of the festival.
Mooncakes come in many flavors — sweet or savory — and their round shape represents harmony and wholeness. In southern China, children often carry colorful lanterns, sometimes even made from grapefruits, pumpkins, or oranges (yes, all round fruits!).
Our favorite Mid-Autumn Vocabulary
月饼 [yuèbǐng] — Mooncake
团圆 [tuányuán] — Family reunion
At Master Translations, we celebrate the beauty of language, culture, and connection, values that are perfectly embodied in this festival.
🌕 Wishing everyone a joyful and meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival! May the full moon bring you harmony, prosperity, and togetherness.
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