What's so special about Mid-Autumn Festival in Yue Bai?

Yue Bai is a very old custom in China, which actually originated from the worship of "Moon God" by ancient people in some places in China.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a relic of the custom of worshipping the moon, which is an ancient astronomical phenomenon. As one of the important ceremonies of Mid-Autumn Festival, it has continued from ancient times and gradually evolved into a folk activity to appreciate and praise the moon. At the same time, it has become the main form of modern people's longing for reunion and their desire for a better life.

Customs introduction:

The 15th day of the eighth lunar month is the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in China and the second largest traditional festival in China after the Spring Festival. August 15th is in the middle of autumn, so it is called Mid-Autumn Festival. The ancient calendar in China called August in the middle of autumn "Mid-Autumn Festival", so the Mid-Autumn Festival is also called "Mid-Autumn Festival".

On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival, the moonlight is bright. The ancients regarded the full moon as a symbol of reunion, so August 15 was also called "Reunion Festival". Throughout the ages, people often describe "joys and sorrows" as "the moon is full and the moon is absent", and the wanderers living in other places rely on the moon to express their deep affection. Since ancient times, in some places in Guangdong, people have the custom of worshipping the moon god (mother moon and moonlight) on the night of Mid-Autumn Festival.

In Yue Bai, a big incense table was set up, and the sacrifices included moon cakes, watermelons, apples, red dates, plums and grapes. Under the moon, put the "Luna God" tablet in the direction of the moon, and the red candle burns high. The whole family took turns in Yue Bai to pray. Mid-Autumn Festival also has the custom of Yue Bai, but it is all about women, which is the so-called "men don't Yue Bai, women don't worship the stove".

On the political and Mid-Autumn Festival night, women will put incense tables with moon cakes, melons and fruits. And most unmarried people worship them in this case, which is the so-called "Yue Bai". Liancheng folks call Moon God "Moon Mother", and it is also a custom in Yue Bai to enjoy the moon. Zhangzhou, Shanghang and other places are called "Please Moon Valley". The custom of Shanghang is even stranger. When you are invited to visit the moon, you put a small basket on the plate. It is said that when the moon god comes, the basket will automatically rise and there will be a pecking sound, so women will count and predict the disaster.

In Jianning, some women in the Mid-Autumn Festival night asking for the moon good or ill luck, commonly known as "please shovel God". In Taining and Yongding areas, women not only "invite aunts" but also "wait for the moonlight". Waiting for the Moonlight is also called Waiting for the Moonlight. According to folklore, Chang 'e misses the world in autumn night and scatters some treasures in the Moon Palace. Whoever can find them will get happiness. Fuzhou, Putian and Xianyou also have this custom.