The History of Mid Autumn Festival
What is the Moon festival? Every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its maximum brightness for the entire year, the Chinese all around the world celebrate "zhong qiu jie”. Or “Middle Autumn Season” Literally meaning Mid-Autumn festival
When did this festival first begin? No exact date can be found in historical documents, but scholars assume that it is related to 2 customs in China.
The first custom Concern that during the autumn of the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar is the time when rice paddies are harvested; some people believe that the Mid Autumn Festival came from the autumn reward ritual.
The second custom concerns worship of the moon. According to astronomy, the Mid Autumn Festival occurs at the autumn equinox. At this time, the sunlight shines vertically on the equator, equally dividing the day and night in both the southern and northern hemispheres. The moon appears in the evening with gentle winds and light clouds. This is the best time to watch the moon. People later made this day, the day to worship the moon.
Still it should not be confuse that the moon are just for celebration only.
Enjoying the moon is an ancient tradition in the world and also in China going back nearly 1,400 years. Visit any historical palace or classical garden and you will very likely find a "Moon Viewing Pavilion" or two.
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It is lovely to think about actually, isn't it?
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"Taking time with your friends and family to sit outside under a starless sky, gazing at the round white orb shining brightly from the heavens above, is something we, in this century, ought to schedule in our daytimes."
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