The Mid-Autumn Festival, also called "Mooncake festival" is a 1,000 year-old-tradition and the Chinese version of "Thanksgiving". It is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar when the moon appears at its fullest and brightest. Chinese families around the world will gather during the festive month over fragrant tea and festive goodies such as mooncakes and pomelos to celebrate harmony, family unity and togetherness.
The festival also celebrates the legend of Chang Er, the lady who is believed to have floated to the moon after swallowing the elixir of eternal life and now lives on the moon.
Visiting Chinatown during this festival has become a tradition for many Singaporeans. With its strong ethnic heritage and vibrant ambiance, Chinatown is the best place to experience the colorful street decorations, the Opening Ceremony cum Light-up, the nightly stage shows, the festive street bazaars, the Lantern Making competition, Lantern Painting competition and the fantastic Lantern Walk near Banda Street.
All across Chinatown, you will be able to spot performing arts groups, traditional dances, beautifully decorated lantern displays and stalls selling mooncakes and other goodies.
Sample some of the beautifully made mooncakes. The traditional version is a round shaped pastry dough filled with lotus and egg yolk. More modern versions can be flavored with everything from strawberry, chocolate to mint and durian or even ice cream.
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Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节
The cute biscuits shaped like piglets encased in little baskets are actually made of the same dough as traditional mooncakes. Initially, they were the result of bakers testing oven temperatures on plain pastry but became so popular that they are now a staple in their own right.
Marking the end of the autumn harvest, the Mid-Autumn Festival was traditionally a time to give thanks to the gods.
It is also a time of year that the moon is at its brightest, which is why lunar legends have always been attached to the celebration. Notably, the story of Chang Er, the wife of a merciless king who downed the elixir of immortality he had intended to drink, to save her people from his tyrannical rule.
The tale goes that she ascended to the moon after that, and has been worshipped by the Chinese as a Moon Goddess ever since.
When dusk falls
Since the Mid-Autumn Festival is about lunar appreciation, celebrations go into full swing once the sun goes down.
Moon-viewing parties are a popular way to enjoy the occasion, as family and friends sit in gardens lit by the soft glow of paper lanterns, sip tea, nibble on mooncakes, and if so inspired, compose poetry in venerable Tang Dynasty fashion.
Lanterns all a-glow
Children love this festival because they get to tote lanterns.
The traditional opt for those lighted by wax candles – elegant paper versions or more elaborate multi-hued cellophane and wire structures shaped into everything from cars to cartoon characters.
There are also unfortunately, plastic battery-operated music-emitting versions – but to each his own.
You’ll get to examine the real thing up close at some of the celebrations around the island, particularly in Chinatown where large beautiful lanterns will be on display – marvels of creativity, artistry and traditional craftsmanship. You’ll also get to sample mooncakes and fine teas at the street bazaars, watch nightly performances and peek at lantern-painting competitions.
Did you know?
The cute biscuits shaped like piglets encased in little baskets are actually made of the same dough as traditional mooncakes. Initially, they were the result of bakers testing oven temperatures on plain pastry but became so popular that they are now a staple in their own right.
Mad about mooncakes
Without a doubt, mooncakes are the main highlight of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Legend has it that they helped to free Yuan China from Mongol rule, after rebels organised an uprising by passing messages hidden in these seasonal sweets. Today, you’ll find them in many varieties, from the traditional with lotus seed paste and egg yolk, to snowskin versions filled with everything from chocolate to champagne truffle. They are best enjoyed with a strong, palate-cleansing cup of Chinese tea.
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Moon cake: Traditional dessert during China's Mid-Autumn Festival
A baker makes moon cakes at a bakery in the Tangqi ancient town in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 29, 2017.
Moon cake is Chinese people's traditional dessert during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, or Oct. 4 this year.
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Mooncake is a symbol of family reunion for its round shape.
Pomelo is not only round in shape, its Chinese name, you zi, is also a homophone for words that mean "bless the son."
The tradition of eating taro on Mid-Autumn Festival dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) but the meaning of eating taro differs from different Chinese regions. One of them believes that eating taro during Mid-Autumn Festival can ward off the evil spirits.
Water Caltrop - A Kind of Nut Boiled and Eaten with Mooncakes
