The origin and significance of eating moon cakes in Mid-Autumn Festival

The origin of eating moon cakes in Mid-Autumn Festival comes from the ceremony in Yue Bai, which means people want to reunite with their families.

According to legend, in ancient China, the emperor had rituals of offering sacrifices to the sun in spring and the moon in autumn. People present moon cakes and fruits to the moon god. After the moon god enjoys the sacrifice, people cut the moon cakes and share them in the order of young and old. It is said that they can get God's blessing and protection.

Because moon cakes are round and symbolize reunion. According to legend, in ancient China, the emperor had a system of offering sacrifices to the sun in spring and the moon in autumn. In the folk, every Mid-Autumn Festival in August, there is also a custom about Yue Bai or offering sacrifices to the moon. August and may are full, and Mid-Autumn moon cakes are fragrant and sweet. This famous proverb tells the custom of urban and rural people eating moon cakes on the night of Mid-Autumn Festival.

The origin of the Mid-Autumn festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival originated in ancient times, popularized in the Han Dynasty and shaped in the Tang Dynasty. Mid-Autumn Festival is a synthesis of autumn seasonal customs, most of which have ancient origins. As one of the important customs of folk festivals, offering sacrifices to the moon has gradually evolved into activities such as appreciating and praising the moon. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a colorful and precious cultural heritage. The full moon is a symbol of people's reunion, a sustenance for missing their hometown and relatives, and hopes for a bumper harvest and happiness.

At first, the Mid-Autumn Festival was held on the day of the autumnal equinox of the twenty-four solar terms of the lunar calendar, and later it was moved to the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. Mid-Autumn Festival, Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day and Dragon Boat Festival are also called the four traditional festivals in China.