The origin of the Mid-Autumn festival

According to historical records, the word "Mid-Autumn Festival" first appeared in the book Zhou Li. In the Wei and Jin dynasties, there was a record of "telling Shangshu Town about the cow's confusion, crossing the river in mid-autumn, and traveling incognito around". It was not until the early years of the Tang Dynasty that the Mid-Autumn Festival became a fixed festival. The Book of Emperor Taizong recorded the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15. The prevalence of Mid-Autumn Festival began in the Song Dynasty, and it became one of the major festivals in China in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This is also the second largest traditional festival in China after the Spring Festival.

Legend of origin.

1, solar terms

One of the origins of Mid-Autumn Festival is that the seasonal solar terms say: "Zhou Li": "In mid-spring, drummers advocate elegance to welcome summer; On the Mid-Autumn Festival night, the cold is like a cloud. " The fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month is just the moment when rice is ripe, and every household worships the land god. Mid-Autumn Festival may be the legacy of Qiubao.

2. the Goddess Chang'e flying to the moon

According to legend, there were ten suns on duty in the ancient sky, and one came out every day. But one day, ten suns came out together, so that the ground smoked, the crops dried up and the sea dried up, and the people couldn't live any longer. This incident alarmed a Hercules named Hou Yi. He climbed to the top of Kunlun Mountain, drew his bow with all his strength, shot down nine redundant suns in one breath, and rescued the people from the fire and water. Soon, Hou Yi married a beautiful wife named Chang 'e.

One day, Hou Yi went to Kunlun Mountain to visit friends and seek truth. He happened to meet the Queen Mother passing by and asked her for a pack of elixir. It is said that after taking this medicine, he can ascend to heaven immediately. However, Hou Yi was reluctant to leave his wife, so he had to hand over the elixir to Chang 'e for collection.

Unexpectedly, it was seen by Meng Peng, the doorman of Hou Yi. When Meng Peng and other Hou Yi went out, they threatened Chang 'e to hand over the elixir. Knowing that Chang 'e was no match for Meng Peng, he decided to take out the elixir of life and swallow it in one gulp. After Chang 'e swallowed the medicine, her body immediately flew off the ground and into the sky. Because Chang 'e was worried about her husband, she flew to the nearest moon and became a fairy.

When Hou Yi came back, the maids cried about everything. The grief-stricken Hou Yi looked up at the night sky and called his wife's name. At this time, he was surprised to find that the moon was particularly round and bright tonight, and there was a swaying figure resembling Chang 'e. Hou Yi remembered that Chang 'e had not eaten at night, so he ordered someone to put on an incense table, put on Chang 'e's favorite honey and fresh fruit, called Chang 'e to the moon and asked her to come down for dinner. After hearing the news that the Goddess Chang'e flying to the moon became an immortal, people put incense tables on the bottom of the moon to pray for good luck and peace to the kind Chang 'e.

3. Tang visited the Moon Palace.

According to legend, one year, on the night of August 15th, Emperor Tang Ming had a dream. Accompanied by Taoist Luo, he flew to the Moon Palace and walked to the beautiful Miyagi. Suddenly, he felt a chill and fragrance. When he saw it, under a huge osmanthus tree in front of the door, a white rabbit was tinkering with medicine, and a huge plaque was embedded in the door, which read "House of Wide Cold and Clear Deficiency". They entered the Guanghan Palace, which was full of exotic flowers and plants and extraordinary style. In the magnificent hall with carved beams and painted buildings and jade pillars, hundreds of fairies dressed in white and transparent light jade gauze danced with melodious music. When Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty woke up from his dream, he quickly ordered his men to write down the songs in the Moon Palace, and after finishing them, they became colorful feather clothes, which were later circulated among the people.

4. Zhu Yuanzhang rebelled by moon cakes.

At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the broad masses of people in the Central Plains could not bear the cruel rule of the ruling class in the Yuan Dynasty, and all kinds of resistance activities emerged one after another. Zhu Yuanzhang took this opportunity to unite various resistance forces and prepare for the uprising. However, the officers and men of the imperial court searched very closely and it was very difficult to pass on the news. Liu Bowen, a military adviser, came up with a plan and ordered his men to hide the note with the words "Uprising on the 15th of August" in the cake, and then sent people to the uprising troops in different places to inform them to respond to the uprising at the same time on the 15th of August. On the day of the uprising, all the rebels responded together, such as a single spark can start a prairie fire. Soon, Xu Da captured the Yuan Dynasty and the uprising was successful.

When the news came, Zhu Yuanzhang was so happy that he quickly sent a message that all the soldiers should have fun with the people in the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and give the "moon cakes" secretly sent at the time of the war as seasonal cakes to the ministers. Since then, the production of "moon cakes" has become more and more elaborate, and there are more and more varieties, such as dishes, which have become good gifts.

5. Hu Bing wants to invite toad.

During the reign of Tang Gaozu, General Li Jing conquered the Huns and returned home in triumph on August 15. At that time, Hu merchants who went to Yangzhou for business and passed through Chang 'an presented cakes to Tang Gaozong to celebrate their success. Gaozu took out the round cake and smiled at the bright moon in the sky and said, "We should invite toads to eat Hu cakes." After that, give the cake to the ministers and taste it together. It is said that this kind of cake is very delicious. Since then, Hu cakes have spread in Beijing. On August 15th every year, they enjoy the moon while eating Hu cakes.

Among many statements, the statement commemorating Chang 'e has the most extensive influence.