Enjoying the Wind and Moon Together --
The clear and radiant moon has been a subject of
Chinese poetry and song since ancient times. And the moonlight of Mid-Autumn
Festival brings particular warmth and ease to the hearts of the people of
China. This festival is said to have originated from the ancient ceremony of
Sacrificing to the Moon Goddess. When that ceremony was later combined with
the Legend of Eating Mooncakes, Mid-Autumn
Festival grew in the popular consciousness to become the major occasion that
it is today.
"When the moon is full, mankind is one" -- In
China, the full moon has always represented the gatherings of friends and
family. Thus, Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions. On this
night, families will go together to scenic spots and parks for
moon appreciation parties, eating
mooncakes and pomeloes in the cool night air
and praying for a safe year. This festival has been made even more lively by
the three legends of Chang-O Flees to the Moon,
Wu Kang Chops Down the Cassia Tree, and the
Jade Rabbit Grinds Medicine.
Since Mid-Autumn Festival coincides with the
fall harvest, the occasion is also celebrated in Taiwan by making offerings
to the Earth God (Tu-ti Gong) in hope that he
will make the next year's harvest even more bountiful.