THE Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most significant and popular cultural celebrations in the Chinese diaspora and this year it falls on Sept 17. While the festival features the iconic mooncake, a sweet pastry traditionally enjoyed during this time, there is another charming aspect of the celebration that often captures the hearts of many – the sight of children playing with lanterns. This practice is steeped in history and tradition, offering an insight into the cultural importance of the festival.
Origin of festival
Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the festival has its roots in ancient China. It is said to date back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty when people worshipped the moon to express gratitude for the harvest. By the time of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), the festival evolved into a more elaborate celebration of moon worship, which included the making and sharing of mooncakes, and the lighting of lanterns.
Legend has it that the festival is also linked to a popular story about the overthrow of the Mongol rule during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 AD). According to this tale, mooncakes were used to hide secret messages that coordinated a rebellion, leading to the downfall of the Mongols and the establishment of the Ming Dynasty. Over time, the Mid-Autumn Festival became a symbol of unity, a celebration of freedom, and a way to give thanks for peace and prosperity.
