About the Mid-Autumn Festival

Introduction to the Mid-Autumn Festival

Every year on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, it is the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival. This is the middle of autumn, so it is called Mid-Autumn Festival. In the Chinese lunar calendar, a year is divided into four seasons, and each season is divided into three parts: Meng, Zhong and Ji. Therefore, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also called Zhongqiu. The moon on August 15th is rounder and brighter than the full moon in other months, so it is also called "Yuexi" and "August Festival". This night, when people look up at the bright moon in the sky, they naturally look forward to family reunions. Wanderers who are far away from home also use this to express their longing for their hometown and relatives. Therefore, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the "Reunion Festival".

Our people have had the custom of "autumn twilight and evening moon" in ancient times. On the eve of the moon, worship the moon god. By the Zhou Dynasty, every Mid-Autumn Festival night would be held to welcome the cold and worship the moon. Set up a large incense table and place mooncakes, watermelons, apples, dates, plums, grapes and other offerings. Mooncakes and watermelons are absolutely indispensable. The watermelon should also be cut into lotus shapes. Under the moon, the moon statue is placed in the direction of the moon, with red candles burning high. The whole family worships the moon in turn, and then the housewife cuts the reunion moon cakes. The person who cuts the moon cakes has calculated in advance how many people are in the family. Those who are at home and those who are out of town must be counted together. They cannot cut more or less, and the sizes must be the same.

According to legend, Wu Yan, an ugly girl from the ancient Qi State, worshiped the moon devoutly when she was a child. When she grew up, she entered the palace with outstanding moral character, but she was not favored. On August 15th of a certain year, the emperor saw her under the moonlight while admiring the moon. He thought she was beautiful and outstanding, so he made her his queen. This is how the Mid-Autumn Festival came to worship the moon. In the middle of the moon, Chang'e is famous for her beauty, so the girl worships the moon and wishes that she "looks like Chang'e and has a face like the bright moon."

In the Tang Dynasty, admiring and playing with the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival was quite popular. In the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. On the night of August 15th, people all over the city, rich and poor, old and young, wear adult clothes, burn incense and worship the moon, express their wishes and pray for the blessing of the moon god. In the Southern Song Dynasty, people gave each other mooncakes as gifts to symbolize reunion. In some places, there are activities such as dancing grass dragons and building pagodas. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival have become more popular; many places have formed special customs such as burning incense, planting Mid-Autumn Festival trees, lighting tower lanterns, releasing sky lanterns, walking on the moon, and dancing fire dragons.

Today, the custom of playing under the moon is far less popular than in the past. However, it is still very popular to hold banquets to admire the moon. People drink wine to admire the moon to celebrate a good life, or wish their relatives far away to be healthy and happy, and to "live thousands of miles away" with their families.

There are many Mid-Autumn Festival customs and different forms, but they all express people's infinite love for life and yearning for a better life.

Origin and legend

The Mid-Autumn Festival has a long history. Like other traditional festivals, it also developed slowly. Ancient emperors had the ritual system of worshiping the sun in spring and the moon in autumn. As early as in the book "Zhou Li", the word "Mid-Autumn Festival" has been recorded. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival in my country. According to historical records, the term "Mid-Autumn Festival" first appeared in the book "Zhou Rites". In the Wei and Jin Dynasties, there was a record of "ordering the minister to suppress the cattle confusion, and on the Mid-Autumn Festival night, the left and right people were incognito and flooded the river". It was not until the early Tang Dynasty that the Mid-Autumn Festival became a fixed festival. "Book of Tang·Taizong Ji" records the "Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th". The popularity of the Mid-Autumn Festival began in the Song Dynasty. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it had become as famous as New Year's Day and became one of the major festivals in our country. This is also the second largest traditional festival in our country after the Spring Festival.

According to our country's calendar, the eighth month of the lunar calendar is in the middle of autumn and is the second month of autumn, so it is called "Zhongqiu". The fifteenth day of August is in the middle of "Zhongqiu", so it is called "Mid-Autumn Festival". ". The Mid-Autumn Festival has many nicknames: because the festival falls on August 15th, it is called "August Festival" and "August Half"; because the main activities of the Mid-Autumn Festival are all centered around the "month", it is also commonly known as "Moon Festival" "Moon Eve"; the full moon on Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes reunion, so it is also called "Reunion Festival". In the Tang Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival was also called the "Duanzheng Month". Records about the "Reunion Festival" first appeared in the Ming Dynasty. "West Lake Tour Notes" says: "August 15th is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and people send mooncakes to each other to symbolize reunion." "A Brief Introduction to the Scenery of the Imperial Capital" also says: "When worshiping the moon on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the cakes will be round, the melons will be broken into pieces, and the petals will be carved like lotus flowers. ... Those who have a wife who has returned to peace will return to her husband's house on this day, which is called reunion. Festival.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, most areas in my country still have the custom of baking "reunion", which is a small cake that symbolizes reunion and is similar to a moon cake. The cake is filled with sugar, sesame, osmanthus and vegetables, and the moon, osmanthus, rabbit and other patterns are pressed on the outside. . After the moon sacrifice, the elders of the family will divide the cake into pieces according to the number of people, and each person will have one piece. If someone is not at home, a portion will be left for them to express family reunion.

The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the custom of autumn sacrifice and moon worship in ancient my country. "Book of Rites" contains: "The emperor faces the sun in spring, and the moon in autumn. The sun is in the morning, and the moon is in the evening." The "Xiyue" here means worshiping the moon. It took shape in the Han Dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty, the custom of admiring the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival became popular and was designated as the Mid-Autumn Festival. Ouyang Zhan (785-about 827 AD) said in the "Preface to the Poetry of Wan Yue in Chang'an": "The eighth month is in autumn. The season begins and ends in Meng; the fifteenth is in the night, and the moon is in the clouds. According to the way of heaven, the cold and heat will be equal, and the At the end of the month, the soul of the toad is round, so it is called the Mid-Autumn Festival. "The Mid-Autumn Festival was most popular in the Song Dynasty. "Tokyo Menghualu" records: "On the Mid-Autumn Festival night, the nobles decorated their pavilions, and the people competed for the restaurants to play in the moonlight." On this day, all restaurants in Tokyo have to re-decorate their facades, tie silk-colored archways, and sell newly opened seals. of good wine. The shops are piled with fresh fruits, and the night market is so lively that it is rarely seen throughout the year. The dignitaries and wealthy families all admired the moon in their pavilions and pavilions, with the sonorous music of harp and harp playing till dawn. Ordinary citizens rush to occupy restaurants to see the moonlight first, and arrange family dinners to reunite their children. "On this evening, hundreds of thousands of small sheepskin ice lanterns with 'a little bit of red' were put out in Zhejiang, floating on the water and shining like stars" (see "Old Wulin Events"). And "The moon-appreciating party in the capital is different from that in other counties. The children of the Qingcheng family do not think they are rich or poor and can go to the 12th or 3rd day on their own. They all wear adult clothes, climb the tower or worship the moon in the atrium, each with their own expectations: men want to be early in the morning Walking in the Toad Palace, you can climb up to the fairy osmanthus. Women would like to look like Chang'e and be as round as the bright moon." (See "The New Drunkard's Talk")

Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, people have paid more attention to the Mid-Autumn Festival. "West Lake Tour Zhiyu·Xi Dynasty Pleasures" says: "Folks use moon cakes as gifts to express reunion. It is evening, and people have a feast to appreciate the moon. On the Su Causeway, people join hands in singing songs, just like the daytime."

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Reunion Festival, the August Festival, etc., is a traditional festival for the Han people and most ethnic minorities in my country. It is also popular in neighboring countries such as North Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Because among the three months of July, August, and September in autumn (referring to the lunar calendar), August is in the middle, and among the thirty days in August, fifteenth is in the middle, so it is called the Mid-Autumn Festival. And because of this night when the moon is in the sky, many people reunite with their families on this night, so it is also called the Reunion Festival.

The Lantern Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival are both known as the three traditional festivals in my country. The origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival is closely related to myths and legends such as "Chang'e flying to the moon", "Wu Gang conquering Gui", and "Jade Rabbit pounding medicine". Therefore, the folk customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival are mostly related to the moon. Appreciating the moon, worshiping the moon, eating reunion moon cakes, etc. all originate from this.

The legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival are very rich. Mythical stories such as Chang'e flying to the moon, Wu Gang conquering Gui, and the Jade Rabbit making medicine are widely circulated.

One of the legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival - "Chang'e Flying to the Moon"

According to legend, in ancient times, ten suns appeared in the sky at the same time, causing the crops to wither and the people to live in dire straits. A hero named Hou Yi , with infinite power, he sympathized with the suffering people, climbed to the top of Kunlun Mountain, used his supernatural power, drew his magical bow, and shot down more than nine suns in one go, and strictly ordered the last sun to rise and set on time to benefit the people.

Mid-Autumn Festival Blessings

·Mid-Autumn Festival SMS Blessings

1. When the Mid-Autumn Festival comes, the first thing that comes to my mind is you. I wish I could be here in this Mid-Autumn Festival. On this occasion, I would like to taste the delicious mooncakes with you, and you can also taste the preciousness of our friendship while eating.

2. Mid-Autumn Festival is about to reunite with you. It is difficult for people to be reunited when the moon is full in an empty building alone.

I miss you so much, and my heart is anxious for you. I pray that you will return to me soon to make up for the missing moon and celebrate Chanjuan!

3. On the fifteenth day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the world is at peace; when the moon comes to the Mid-Autumn Festival, the whole family worships the moon; the pagoda lamp illuminates the heaven and the earth; the lotus roots are under the flowers, and the lotus root threads are connected; the red pomegranates bloom and see the seeds; reunion Cake, lovers reunited, happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

4. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, look up at the "Fifteenth Moon" and let the "White Moonlight" gently shine on you. I want to give "Special Love to the Special You" and gently hum " "The Moon Represents My Heart", can you hear it?

5. The Mid-Autumn Festival is the first quarter moon again, and we are finally looking forward to a reunion night. It is difficult for relatives and friends to meet each other. Little A is busy with the postgraduate entrance examination, and Little B has no time to work overtime. Poor Little C sends a group text message to everyone: this year It is difficult to reunite during the holidays, so a text message warms the heart, wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and a smile!

6. The Mid-Autumn Festival brings you joy, thought, getting, seeing, smelling, eating, blessings, luck, and wealth. The Mid-Autumn Festival is not here yet, but I hope my blessings will be the first. arrive. I wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival in advance! Have a good mood every day!

7. Moon! Do you know my heart? Moon! Do you know my feelings? May the moon bring you my sincere wishes: I tell you that I really love you

8. I invite Mingyue because I miss you. Bringing wine to the wind is to bless you with my heart... Let's have a drink tonight, shall we?

9. Mid-Autumn Festival On this day of reunion, I am far away and cannot reunite with my family to celebrate. I wish everyone’s life is as perfect as the fifteenth moon! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Remember to leave a mooncake for me!

10. There are such coincidences in the world. Let this festive season give you and me and all Chinese people the dream of a happy life, harmony and warmth!

11. Mid-Autumn Festival The full moon is painting, and the missing moon is poetry. Poetic and picturesque, good time and beautiful scenery, given to my beloved you. Under the distant starry sky, we both look up at the same beautiful moon. This is the contract between our souls!

12. Mid-Autumn Festival Under the moonlight, people are silent and noisy, looking up at the full moon, which only teaches the homesick people to think about their hometown again and again. On a mid-autumn night, the leaves are falling, the west wind sings, and looking at the stars and rivers in the distance makes new guests from a foreign land fall in love with old friends on the other side.

13. Mid-Autumn Festival It is another year when the leaves fall yellow and there is a layer of autumn rain and a layer of coolness. It's a hard day's work. Don't forget to put on some clothes when it's cold. Take care of your health, eat often, cherish your friendship and think about it often. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival and family reunion!

14. Mid-Autumn Festival When I was a child, my mother was the sky. When I grow up, I am my mother’s sky. The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming, and my mother is waiting, waiting for my greetings, waiting for my smile! I wish all mothers in the world: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival and good health forever!

15. Mid-Autumn Festival The joy of the Mid-Autumn Festival renders the beautiful earth, and the beauty of the moon touches the brilliant starry sky. On this festive day, I want to tell you through the full moon: It’s great to know you! Friends are for life!

16. Mid-Autumn Festival The mood of autumn is sultry. May you and I enjoy it on the night of early autumn, with the bright moon in the sky and full of thoughts! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival and remember to leave a mooncake for me!

17. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon is poetry, and the starry sky is painting. May all happiness be with you, greetings be spring, care be summer, may all friends treat you sincerely, gentleness be autumn, romance be winter, May all happiness follow you. I wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival

18. Mid-Autumn Festival The autumn is high and the autumn is crisp. It coincides with the Double Festival. The flowers are full and the moon is full tonight. It is a good night again. Pay attention to the white clouds under the moon. I promise you thousands of greetings. I miss you so much. I wish you happiness for ten thousand years!

19. Mid-Autumn Festival I look up at the bright moon and lower my head to think about my old friends. Although I miss you very much, I will not be lonely because I share the same bright moon with you.

20. Autumn is high and cool, autumn coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the garden is full of flowers and the moon is once again a good time tonight. Pay attention to the white clouds under the moon, maybe there are thousands of greetings from me. I miss you so much and wish you all the best.

21. The Mid-Autumn Festival is particularly bright, and I send my greetings to each other from afar; the bright moon is shining brightly in the sky, and I think of you sincerely on the good night of the Mid-Autumn Festival; I wish you good luck during the festival, and that the moon will be round, people will be round, and everything will be round. !

22. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, I gave your mobile phone number to a stranger, his name is Yuelao, and he will help me tell you on the full moon night of the Mid-Autumn Festival; I miss you, I miss you, I wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

23. The National Day coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the United States coincides with Bin Laden. The national football team encounters success by chance, what do you want to encounter? ——May the moon fulfill your dreams and happy holidays!

24. Dad: Let the fullest moon accompany you and me, and let the bright moon convey my wishes and blessings... I wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, a full moon, and everything goes well.

25. People walk in the rain, the moon dances behind the clouds, travel in summer and return in winter, this is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I respect her like the moon and cannot stay with her. I love her like a dream. How can I ask for anything? The moon is particularly bright during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I would like to borrow the moon to express my sincere feelings.

26. The bright moon hangs high in the clear sky on the fifteenth day. You are not by my side, so I have to let the bright moon bring my thoughts and blessings - Happy holidays! I miss you! ! !

27. It’s another full moon night, and I will make three wishes for you under the moon: first, I wish that your sweet dreams will be as full as the moon, second, I wish that your days will be sweeter than mooncakes, and third, I wish that your heart will be as bright as the moon.

28. Autumn is high and cool, autumn coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the garden is full of flowers and the moon is once again a good time tonight. Pay attention to the white clouds under the moon, maybe there are thousands of greetings from me. I miss you so much and wish you all the best.

29. A pot of wine among the flowers, drinking alone without any blind date, raising glasses to the bright moon, and forming three people facing each other. I'm thinking of you, are you thinking of me too? Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

30. A glass of homesick wine made me full of sorrow. Tonight everyone is reunited, but I am on the other side of my hometown. When will I go home and be reunited with you?

31. Mid-Autumn Festival A family is connected by heart and forms a big circle with love. No matter how far away the dream is, if there is a home in the heart, they will be reunited.

32. Mid-Autumn Festival Yuan Mei, gentle breeze, flowing water, bright moon, bright Mid-Autumn night; soothing, clear, bright, refreshing and comfortable. Separation and separation, ups and downs, joys and sorrows, silent unity.

33. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the meteors streaked across the sky, and I missed making wishes; when the waves hit the rocks, I missed blessings; the story was told once, but I missed listening; there is only one life, and I did not wrong you. ! I invite you to watch the moon together tonight!

34. Mid-Autumn Festival. On this day when people and the moon are reunited and the whole world celebrates, I wish you: raise your head to see a handsome man! Lower your head and hug the beautiful woman, and meet whatever you want! Love is more "round" when the flowers are full and the moon is full!

35. On the Mid-Autumn Festival, I want to entrust the bright moon in the sky. May the moonlight carry my thoughts about you and spread my blessings all over your body. , conveying my inner voice: When the wind blows, I miss you! When the moon is full, I miss you!

36. The Mid-Autumn Festival is another full moon night. I will make three wishes for you under the moon: first, I hope that your dreams will be as full as the moon; second, I hope that your days will be sweeter than moon cakes; third, I hope that you will be beautiful like a fairy in the moon. . :)

37. The bright moon is priceless, but all friends have love. The road is thousands of miles away, and it’s hard to miss each other again. Although it is difficult for people to come, they are in harmony with each other. I sincerely wish you and your family a happy reunion, happiness and good health.