Autumn, as we know, marks the transition from summer to winter, bringing about a change in seasons. The temperature cools down a bit, the days get shorter, the air gets drier, and the leaves change color before finally falling from the trees. These changes, overall, bring changes in mood and lifestyle as we begin to prepare for the cold winter.
Autumn is also known as the harvest season which provides us with colorful seasonal fruits and vegetables. This is why many cultures around the world celebrate many festivals, where people express gratitude for keeping them happy, healthy, and alive. There are a variety of harvest festivals, Thanksgiving festivals, and other events that offer opportunities to reunite with loved ones.
Today, we will look at the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is a popular autumn festival, celebrated in China, other East Asian countries, and some Southeast Asian countries.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival, is the second largest holiday in China after the Chinese Lunar New Year. It is celebrated every year on the 15th or 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it falls on 29 September.
You may read Lunar New Year 2023
History of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival date back more than 3000 years, but it is not clear how or when the festival began. The origins of the autumn harvest celebration go back to the Shang Dynasty (circa 1766 BC – 1046 BC), which was the earliest Chinese ruling dynasty historically recorded.
Although the practice of worshiping the moon at this time of year dates back to the Zhou Dynasty (ca. 1046 BC – 221 BC). Zhou rulers worshiped the Sun during the March equinox and the Moon during the September equinox. They worshiped and offered offerings to the moon to celebrate the autumn harvest. They worship for a bountiful harvest in the coming year and a ceremony to welcome winter. At first, it was practiced only by the royal family, but over time it spread to the general population.
The earliest written evidence of the Mid-Autumn Festival comes from the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). The word mid-autumn first seems to be found in the ‘Book of Rites’ from this period. It describes the harvest of mid-autumn crops, which were then used to prepare the barley harvest celebrations.
At that time, the term ‘Mid-Autumn’ was not used to refer to the festival, it was simply used as an indicator of the month and season. Popularized since the Han Dynasty (2000 years ago), now it is known by most of the world. From then every year this festival celebrates in September.
Why do people celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated in China, its neighboring countries, and parts of Southeast Asia. It is also celebrated in places with significant numbers of people of Chinese heritage. It is a festival where people worship the moon, thank the divinity, celebrate a bountiful harvest, and reunite with family.
Marks that time of year when the seasons change and everyone prepare for winter. Winter is a time when plants slow down their growth. They don’t produce a lot of food, so autumn crops produce enough to sustain people. People were grateful for this in the past. They will thank God for providing them with the things they need to be healthy and alive.
On this day, the full moon is the largest and brightest, serving as a symbol of reconciliation. The Moon also symbolizes peace, harmony, good luck, and fertility and overall indicates a time of hope. That’s why every year this festival celebrates by everyone.
How do people celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival
In ancient times, apart from worshiping the moon, they looked at the moon and wrote poems about it. They will gift fresh fruits to their friends and relatives. And finally, they also watched the tides rise and fall on full moon days. Many of these customs were developed during the Tang Dynasty and are still followed today.
Since the Mid-Autumn Festival is connected to the moon, the festival usually begins after sunset.
Everyone participates in the festival irrespective of age, gender, social status, etc. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people traditionally worship the moon offering incense, candles, sweets like mooncakes, and fresh fruits like watermelons, apples, red dates, pomelo, plums, and grapes. They are arranged on a table facing the moon.
They then pray to the moon to bless them with good fortune, peace, and a good harvest. People give each other mooncakes, gifts, and fruits and wish everyone Mid-Autumn prosperity.
Mid-Autumn Festival Wishes
The Mid-Autumn Festival eventually evolved into a time of year when the king would honor and thank his servants for their dedication and service. It has evolved into a holiday with various rituals, including giving thanks to the moon, invoking great fortune, reproducing, and reuniting with relatives to enjoy the full splendor of the moon. Here are some Mid-Autumn Festival Wishes-
- May the Round Moon bring a brighter, happier, and more successful future into your life.
- I wish you celebrate this auspicious time of the year with your family and friends and be blessed with a prosperous year ahead. Wishing you a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
- When the moon is round in autumn, it is a signal that it is time to reunite, enjoy festivals and rejoice with loved ones. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
- May this harvest festival bring eternal joy and happiness in our lives. Warm greetings on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- When the moon is a perfect circle, when it is mid-autumn, it calls for celebration with the hope of happier days ahead. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
May every day of your life be as joyful and bright as the Mid-Autumn Festival. Best wishes on this special occasion!!!
Mid-Autumn Festival Messages
Many traditional and meaningful celebrations are held in most families in China and other countries. Major traditions and celebrations include eating mooncakes, having dinner with family, gazing at and worshiping the moon, and lighting lanterns.
To the Chinese, a full moon symbolizes prosperity, happiness, and family reunion. Below are some Mid-Autumn Festival Messages-
- May this harvest festival bring eternal joy and happiness in our lives Warm wishes on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Happy Mid-Autumn Day 2023. Wish you well and a successful and bright future.
- Wishing you a perfect life like the perfectly round shape of the moon at the Mid-Autumn Festival
- May your professional and personal life be blessed with moments of joy and happiness Happy Mid-Autumn Festival
- Let us raise a toast to a happy and healthy future. Wishing you a very blessed mid-autumn day
- It is time to thank God for a good harvest and seek His blessings for another prosperous year. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival 2023.
- May the glow of the moon surround you and light your path to health, happiness and prosperity. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
Mid-Autumn Festival Status
Share some status on this festival in your social media accounts. Here are Some Statues-
- When the moon is a perfect circle, when it is mid-autumn, it calls for celebration with the hope of happier days ahead. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
- May every day of your life be as bright as the Mid-Autumn Festival. Best wishes on this special occasion!!!
- It is a time to thank God for a good harvest and seek His blessings for another prosperous year. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Let us raise a toast to a happy and healthy future. Wishing you a very blessed Mid-Autumn Day!!!
- Wishing you a perfect life like the perfectly round shape of the moon at the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Happy Mid-Autumn Day! May you be blessed with success in your future ventures.
FAQ about Mid-Autumn Festival
What is celebrated on Mid-Autumn Festival?
Family gatherings, lanterns and mooncakes.
Why is it called mooncake?
They are named after the moon goddess (Chang’e), who is said to make this kind of cake. Source-Wikipedia
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