Mid-autumn Day, also called the Moon Day, one of the traditional festivals, is on the 15th day of Lunar August. There are many different versions about the origin of the festival, and also many legends and traditions about this day. Mid-autumn Day, Spring Festival, Tomb-sweeping Day and Dragon Boat Day are known as the four traditional festivals celebrated among Han people in China.

To worship the moon in Mid-autumn Day is an ancient custom in China. According to the historical records, early in the Zhou Dynasty about 3,000 years ago, there were traditions that emperors worshiped the sun in the Spring Equinox, the earth in the Summer Solstice, the moon in the Autumnal Equinox and the heaven in the Winter Solstice. The places of worship were respectively called the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Earth, the Temple of the Moon, and the Temple of the Heaven all located in four directions. The Temple of the Moon was the place for Ming and Qing emperors to worship the moon.

The custom of watching the moon comes from the worship to the moon, the solemn worship ceremony becoming the joyful amusement. People started to enjoy the moon on the Moon Day from the Wei and Jin period, and till Song Dynasty, Mid-autumn folk festival centered by the moon-watching activity was formally established. Different with people in Tang Dynasty, Song people felt more sadness from the moon. They used the moon’s waxing and wane to compare to the human life. Even under the full moon, the bright moonlight could not cover the sorrow of Song people.

There are many amusing activities in the Moon Day, such as festive lanterns. Although there wouldn’t be the large-scale lantern meetings like in Lantern Festival, children and family members are still fond of having fun with the beautiful lanterns.

Eating a mooncake is a must for the Mid-autumn Day; therefore, the day is also called the Mooncake Day. The round mooncake symbolize the reunions of family members. Mooncake was originally used as the sacrifice offering for the worship. Later, people gradually considered tasting a mooncake and watching the moon were equally important as a sign of family reunions. At the night when families gathered to watch the moon, many fruits especially round-shape are served together with the mooncakes.

China’s long-term history provides numerous historical and cultural relics. Chinese traditional festivals, as the invisible Chinese featured attractions, have become important components of people’s China visiting plan. If your China vacations are just planned during the folk festivals, then don’t hesitate to join the locals to feel the traditional charms of China http://www.chinatours.com/china-tour-planner/index.html.