Fall is a beautiful harvest season. The tradition of the mid-autumn festival, 中秋节 zhōng qiū jié, aims to thank heaven, nature and the gods. This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Friday, September 29, 2023.
Zhong Qiu light up in China town Singapore, September 2023
It is also the day in the year when the perfectly full moon shines the most. The Mid-Autumn Festival, therefore, is also called the Moon Festival. Celebrations therefore begin after sunset. When night falls, the lanterns will light up parks, streets and houses. This year in Singapore, you can participate in the celebrations at Gardens By The Bay, Chinatown (until October 1) and the various Community Centers in the neighbourhoods.
Zhong Qiu light up in China town Singapore, September 2023
嫦娥 Cháng-É, according to Chinese legend, still lives on the moon with a rabbit. She was a brave beautiful woman who drank an elixir of immortality in order to save people. After drinking this magical drink, she flew to the moon and stayed there forever. It seems that the shadows that we see on the moon are the palace of 嫦娥 Cháng-É. 嫦娥 Cháng-É is also the name of Chinese spaceships. And on December 1, 2020 Chang-E 5 landed and few weeks later she returned with lunar samples !
The cake for this holiday is called, 月饼 yuè bǐng, the moon cake. Traditionally, it's sweet and brown in color. But nowadays you can find all tastes and all colors. Warning! If you want to taste them, it's now. This cake is only on sale during this period.
中秋节 zhōng qiū jié, is above all a celebration for families to come together. The round shape of the full moon symbolizes union. Those, who are far from home, express their nostalgia through the moon. A famous Chinese poet wrote: “但愿人长久 dàn yuàn ren cháng jiǔ ， 千里 共 婵娟 qián lǐ gòng chán juān。 May longevity be assured to us so that we all everywhere share the joy of contemplating the same moon in its fullness… … ”
Xiao Ling and her family wish you happy Mid-Autumn Festival in the video hereunder.