I will continue the topic of Chinese holidays on the blog. This time I'll tell you about the second one significant holiday- Mid-Autumn Festival. As you might guess, the most important thing for the Chinese is Spring Festival(Chinese New Year), and this holiday comes in second place.
It is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month in Chinese lunar calendar. Its second name is the Moon Festival. The Chinese have long noticed that it is in the 8th month that the Moon appears to us from the Earth larger size and shines brighter. All traditions of this holiday are connected specifically with the Moon.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Chinese have one official day off, which they try to take on Friday or Monday. Let me remind you that our Gregorian and Chinese lunar calendars do not coincide, and the date of the Mid-Autumn Festival changes from year to year.
Schedule
2017 – October 4, but it coincides with the Founding Day of the People's Republic of China, the day off is scheduled for October 8
2020 - October 1, but it coincides with the Founding Day of the People's Republic of China, the day off is scheduled for October 8
A little history
The Mid-Autumn Festival dates back 3,000 years to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC). But initially it was not a holiday for the common people. On this day, rulers made sacrifices to the Moon and ancestors for the benefit of the future harvest. In addition, the autumnal equinox falls around this time, and the sacrifices were combined.
Later, this tradition of imperial sacrifice lost its significance, it was replaced by the tradition of sacrifices on the day of the winter solstice, when the emperor went from to to appease Heaven and ask for prosperity for the country.
Common people began to celebrate mid-autumn during the Sui (581 - 618) and Tang (618 - 907) dynasties. This holiday was considered double. On the one hand is the largest Moon, on the other is the closest full moon to the spring equinox. During the Tang era, the holiday became official.
There are many legends associated with this festival that are worth telling.
The Legend of Chang Yi
In ancient times, 10 suns shone above the earth at once, it was hot and it was very difficult for people. But there was a hero named Hou Yui, who shot down 9 suns with a bow. He became famous, and many people flocked to study with him. Among these people was a man named Pen Men. Later, the hero Hou Yui fell in love with a girl named Chang Yi and they got married.
Once upon a time, Hou Yu visited his old friend, the Empress of Heaven named Wan Mu. She gave him a wonderful elixir, after drinking which a man became an immortal god and flew to heaven. Hou Yui brought the elixir home and gave it to his wife for safekeeping. Unfortunately, they were being followed by the vile Pen Men.
When Hou Yui went hunting, Pen Men made his way to Chang Yi and tried to take the elixir. Chang Yi knew that she could not resist Pen Menu, so she drank the elixir. She became a god, but could not fly to Heaven because she loved her husband too much. She remained on the Moon, since the Moon is the closest celestial body to the Earth.
Upon learning of this, Hou Yu began to sacrifice his wife's most favorite dishes to the Moon. And other people began to do the same.
The Legend of the Jade Hare
One day, three immortals pretended to be beggars and asked a fox, a monkey and a hare for food. The fox and monkey shared with them, but the hare had no food. He said: “I have nothing to give you, eat me” and threw himself into the fire. The immortals were shocked, they made the hare jade and sent it to the moon. There he spends time in the company of Chang Yi and poundes the elixir of immortality in a mortar.
The Legend of Notes in Pies
From 1271 to 1368, China was ruled by the Mongols (Yuan Dynasty). They were descendants of Genghis Khan, who broke through and enslaved China. The Chinese raised uprisings against them, but their actions were unorganized. A way was needed to notify all the rebels and set a day for a general uprising.
The method was invented by Zhu Yuanzhang, the head of the rebels and the first emperor of the next Ming dynasty. He baked traditional mooncakes and put notes in them with the words: “We rise on the night of the 15th day of the 8th month.” The uprising ended successfully, the Mongols were overthrown, and their capital Khanbalik (present) was destroyed.
Traditions
All traditions are somehow connected with the Moon. Main tradition is a sacrifice of food to the moon, and the most common sacrifice is traditional mooncakes. Any edible items are also suitable round shape– watermelons, oranges, grapefruits and so on. I won’t explain the symbolism, it’s obvious.
It is strange that it is not customary to donate money, because the coins are round in shape. It’s even called “yuan”, which translates as “round”.
And of course, they eat mooncakes. The housewife prepares a round pie, cuts it into several pieces for all family members and distributes it. If someone cannot attend the festive dinner, then a piece of the pie must be left for him.
Modern Chinese in cities usually do not prepare the pie themselves, but buy it ready-made in the store. And in cities, small round pies are more popular.
Like the Spring Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is family celebration. Everyone should be together. Many Chinese try to reunite with family on this day. Therefore, on the eve of this holiday it will be more expensive, the demand for tickets increases, and the price of tickets rises.
Each province has its own traditions. In Xi'an, the dancing fountains next to the moon play and sing in honor of the moon. It is considered very prestigious to dine on this day in restaurants on the top floors of skyscrapers -, and. In Wuhan, you can look at the moon from the top floor - considered good luck.
Mid-Autumn Festival for tourists
There are no uniform celebration traditions, and each city offers tourists its own set of entertainment. Public events They are definitely organized, but you need to inquire in advance about the place and time of their holding. The celebration is especially interesting in Hong Kong - Fire Dragon Dances are held here.
And of course, mooncakes are sold everywhere. They differ greatly in filling in different provinces. They are very tasty, don't miss the chance to try them.
Happy Chinese holidays to you, and read more interesting articles about China in the blog ( links below).
The Moon Festival, also called the Mid-Autumn Festival, is considered one of the main traditional holidays, which is celebrated by the Chinese. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of each year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. This year it falls on September 30, 2012.
First time as official holiday The festival was held at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty and became widely celebrated in the Song Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, it became as important as the New Year (Yuan Dan). The story of the origin of the Moon Festival, like any other holiday, has been passed down from one generation to another. She is associated with the moon maiden Chang'e.
According to Chinese legend, there was a time when 10 suns shone in the sky, scorching the earth and depriving people of water and life. A hero named Hou Yi shot down nine out of ten suns with a bow and arrow and thereby saved the people. He received from the Queen Mother the elixir of immortality, which could turn a mortal person into an immortal one and allow him to live in heaven. Hou gave the elixir to his wife Chang'e for safekeeping. The neighbor found out about this and tried to take away the precious drink. In desperation, Chang'e drank the elixir and, turning into a goddess, flew to the moon.
When Hou Yi returned home, he did not find his wife. When he raised his eyes to the sky to call her, he saw that the moon that night was especially bright and full. He caught a glimpse of his wife. He took out the round gingerbread cookies that Chang'e loved and prayed, asking for heaven's blessing for her. Since then, people have worshiped the sky and eaten round mooncakes on this day.
The Chinese do many different things to celebrate the Moon Festival, but most of the traditions are now forgotten, except that many people buy and eat Mooncakes (round gingerbread stuffed with sugar, seeds and spices). However, these legends formed the basis of many anime of Eastern culture, the animation of which is so loved by both children and adults.
The first time I learned about the Moon Festival, I was 7 years old. My grandmother, following ancient traditions, wears traditional Chinese button-down shirts. On the night of the Moon Festival, she quietly slipped out of the room. I was curious to see what she was doing, so I tried to follow her. But my grandmother sent me away and told me to go home.
Uneasy, I followed her to the end of the yard of our house. I saw that she had laid out dishes of fruits and mooncakes. Grandmother placed the incense in the light and knelt down to pray. I looked at her and then quickly walked away.
I later learned that my grandmother prayed to Heaven and Earth, since the Moon Festival not only worships the Moon Goddess, but also expresses gratitude to Heaven and Earth. On this day, families come together to celebrate the holiday in unity.
After the fruits and mooncakes are presented to the Earth God and Moon Goddess, the people divide the mooncakes among themselves. Traditionally, they are divided into many parts, one part for each family member. If any family member is absent, then a piece should be left for him.
Zhongqiujie or Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month according to the lunar calendar. It is also called the harvest festival. On this day, it is customary to eat and give each other “mooncakes” yubin ( Yuebing, 月饼) round in shape with a sweet or savory filling.
The history of the holiday originates in ancient rituals of sacrifice: princes and rulers made sacrifices to the Sun in the spring, and to the Moon in the fall. The first mention of the Mid-Autumn Festival dates back to (around the 11th century BC - 256 BC). Over time, the tradition of moon worship was adopted by the nobility and the intelligentsia, and later the common people began to admire the clear and round moon and make sacrifices.
The holiday finally took shape by the time (618-907), and in the period (960-1279) holiday events, held in honor of Zhongqiujie, became even more solemn. During the Yi dynasty period (1368-1911), this festival became one of the most important Chinese holidays.
In modern China, millions of people in the evening during Zhongqiujie go to the shores of reservoirs and release flying lanterns made of rice paper into the sky, on which wishes are first written. A thousand lanterns fly across the sky, creating an unforgettable, beautiful sight.
This holiday is associated with an equally romantic legend, according to which Chang E lives on the moon - beautiful wife famous hero Hou Yi.
Tradition says that Chang E was a kind, beautiful, cheerful woman who loved adventure. She was married to Hou Yi, a renowned hero who more than once saved people from drought and flood.
At that time, there were ten suns in the sky, which took turns traveling around the earth. However, one day, for unknown reasons, the sequence was broken, and the suns began to simultaneously illuminate the earth during the day and at night set together beyond the horizon. This led to terrible consequences: the heat of the ten suns was so strong that it not only destroyed crops and people, but also threatened to melt stones and metals. Then the men gathered for a council and chose Hou Yi - as the strongest and most dexterous shooter - to shoot at the suns from a giant bow made by joint efforts. Hou Yi, having climbed the Kunlun Mountains, destroyed nine of the ten suns, sending his arrows at them, leaving only one, which still shines to this day.
However, the disasters did not end there. Soon, the god of the Yellow River - Hebo, causing wind and waves, spilled the waters of the river, destroying many villages. Hou Yi decided that Hebo had lost the right to remain a god by bringing misfortune to people. From his longbow, Hou Yi sent an arrow and hit Hebo in the eye, punishing him for his cruelty to the people.
The goddess Sivanmu learned about the heroic deeds of Hou Yi. Deciding to thank him for his courage, she gave him a cure for immortality. It was enough to swallow one grain to live forever and not grow old, and two grains to ascend to the sky or to the moon.
Returning home, Hou Yi told about his gift to his wife, who had long dreamed of visiting the Moon. On August 15, according to the lunar calendar, Chang E, having picked wild berries in the forest, came home and, finding that her husband was not at home, ate two grains of the magic potion. This is how Chang E ended up on the moon.
There she saw a palace, next to which grew a huge cinnamon tree that emitted an extraordinary aroma. A white hare was sitting under a tree.
In such a society, Chang E quickly became bored and homesick. She wanted to return to earth to people and her husband, but there was no turning back. Since then, every year on August 15th according to the lunar calendar, Chang E lights a lamp and brightly illuminates the earth with it in the hope of seeing her husband there, whom she constantly thinks about.
According to another version of the legend, the brave hero Yi had a treacherous student Pengmeng, who accidentally learned about the elixir of immortality and saw Chang E put it in a drawer. When Yi was not at home, Pengmeng came to Chang E and, threatening with a sword, demanded that he give him the magic potion. Frightened, Chang E understood that Pengmeng was stronger than her and she had no choice but to drink the elixir herself. Chang E took off from the ground, flew through the window and rushed to the moon, and Pengmeng ran away empty-handed.
Yi, who remained on Earth, was heartbroken when he discovered what had happened. He desperately peered into the sky and called out to his beloved, and suddenly noticed that that night the Moon was brighter than usual. It seemed to him that a shadow flashed across her, similar to his sweet Chan E. The shooter wanted to catch up with the Moon, but no matter how hard he tried, his attempts were in vain.
Hou Yi desperately missed his wife and ordered a table for an incense burner to be installed in Chang E’s beloved garden and sweets and fruits to be placed on it as a sacrifice. The news spread throughout the village and people, having learned that Chang E now lives in the sky, one after another began to install incense burners under the Moon and ask her for happiness and prosperity. Since then, the custom of worshiping the Moon on Mid-Autumn Day has spread among the people.
Mid-Autumn Festival is a unique event celebrated in China and Vietnam. Its other name, the Lunar Festival, fully corresponds to the specifics of the celebration. The festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month. Chinese calendar, which falls in September or early October according to the Gregorian calendar, when the full moon can be seen in the sky. On this night, residents of big cities go out into the streets to admire the night light and taste unusual delicacies - “mooncakes” (round cupcakes with various fillings).
By the full moon, the Chinese complete the harvest, and the round disk of the night luminary (correlated in the Chinese tradition with the feminine principle) symbolizes fertility and prosperity. Following ancient beliefs, a lot of incense is burned to please Chanye, the mythical woman of the moon. Her companion is a rabbit who poundes the potion of immortality in a mortar. According to legend, the beautiful Chang'e mistakenly drank the potion of immortality, which served as a reward for her lover Hui. A well-aimed archer managed to shoot down nine stars, the light of which could overheat the earth, for which the Emperor gave him an elixir, which he was supposed to drink in small sips. Having drunk the forbidden drink in one gulp, Chang'e flew to the moon, and Huoi, after death, ascended to the sun. Since then, lovers can meet only once a year, on the 15th day of the eighth month.
During the lunar festival, the streets are lively - families walk until the morning, which children are especially happy about. They are not averse to eating “mooncakes”, which are abundant everywhere. By the way, it is believed that these sweets played a special role in the history of China. With their help, in the 14th century, public figures managed to raise a rebellion against the Yuan dynasty. Despite the ban on holding meetings, activist Liu Futong distributed many gingerbread cookies, each of which contained a note calling for the overthrow of the government.
Autumn has begun, and with this incredible time comes the time of preparation for one of the most significant celebrations of Chinese culture - the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is held according to the Chinese calendar on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. This year the celebration will take place on October 4 - very soon. Jongchiujie (中秋节 - Mid-Autumn Festival) originates in ancient times, but also in modern world This event is very significant for the Chinese people. Even now, during the celebration, no one works, everyone walks and has fun. Preparations for the celebration are carried out in advance, since this is one of the most beloved holidays of Heaven.
Let's dive a little into the history of its origins
The Mooncake Festival, as it is also commonly called, originated about 3,000 years ago, during the reign of the Zhou Dynasty. It is not surprising that this holiday is shrouded in various myths and legends. Ancient Chinese emperors worshiped the moon and made offerings to it and their ancestors for the benefit of the future harvest. Therefore, this celebration is also considered a harvest festival. It is also known that previously this event was inaccessible to ordinary working people. The autumn solstice falls around this same holiday, and many offerings are combined.
A little later, the tradition of offerings was moved to the winter solstice, at the time when the ruler, leaving the Forbidden City, went to the Temple of Heaven to ask Heaven for prosperity for the country. For commoners, the celebration of the festival became available during the reign of the Sui and Tang dynasties. For many, this is a double holiday, since at this time the closest full moon occurs, as well as the equality of day and night.
As mentioned earlier, there are many myths telling about the origin of the Holiday. The most romantic story about the girl Chang Yi tells that in the old days people had a very difficult time, since 10 suns were shining above the earth at once. This made life very difficult for the common people. And there was a guy named Hou Yui, who managed to destroy 9 luminous disks with a bow at once, leaving only one that gave warmth. This act attracted many people to the young man who wanted to learn such a gift.
A little later, the archer fell in love with the beautiful Chang Yi and they sealed the union by marriage. One day the guy visited Wan Mu (Empress of Heaven), who was his longtime friend. She presented him with a gift of a miraculous elixir, granting eternal, divine life and ensuring life in the heavenly kingdom. Hou Yui gave the medicine to his wife, and he went hunting. At this time, a bad man named Pen Menu came to their house, who intended to take away the elixir in order to gain eternal life. The poor girl understood that she could not defeat the villain and took the drug. After this, Chang Yi became a deity, but she could not reach heaven, because she loved her husband so much. The girl remained on the Moon, because it is the closest planet to Earth. This way she could be closer to her beloved husband.
Hou Yui learned about the incident and cried bitterly. Looking longingly at the pale disk, he said the name of his beloved. At that moment the moon flashed brightly. Hou Yue saw the silhouette of Chang Yi, who was looking sadly at her husband. After this, the grief-stricken young man began to make offerings to the Moon, which consisted of his beloved’s most favorite dishes. Other people followed suit. This is how I was born new tradition, which lives to this day.
And now I would like to talk about the traditions and rituals of this wonderful celebration
The most important food of this holiday is cakes, they are also called “moon cookies.” They come in a wide variety of flavors, and the recipe for making cakes is very diverse. Each town has its own cooking secret. This dish is baked in a round shape with a small diameter. It can be with or without filling, sweet or salty. For every taste you can taste the symbol of this wonderful holiday. Surprisingly, on each small cookie there is an imprint on top in the form beautiful pattern or ornament. It’s a pity to even eat such beauty. Cookies are sold in abundance on every corner.
Long before the festival itself, shops are filled with a festive atmosphere - the sale of cookies, beautiful packaging materials and other attributes begins.
Everything that happens on this day is connected with the Moon. Residents of towns decorate the streets with lanterns and all kinds of bright decorations. Cities are immediately filled with incredible warmth, bright light and immersed in an incredible atmosphere of peace. People band together and make offerings not only in the form of symbolic mooncakes, but also in the form of various round-shaped fruits and vegetables. After all, they are also somewhat similar in appearance to the Moon and symbolize the harvest.
The Mid-Autumn Festival in China is accompanied by folk festivals with songs and dances. The traditional Chinese dragon dance is a fascinating sight. This dance is very significant for the Chinese people, but not in all corners you can see it on this day. The celebration lasts all night. Everyone gives each other nice gifts, eats cakes and looks at the full moon. An indescribable atmosphere of love and unity. The older generation especially loves this day, because they are given Special attention and honor. However, the entertainment program in different cities may differ, but they are all united in one thing - the worship of the greatness of the Moon. In Chinese villages, a sincere tradition is a gathering of all relatives in the fresh air. The hostess is serving festive table with all kinds of treats. Relatives can have long conversations, remember those who could not be with them that evening and admire the full Moon. Very warm and welcoming.