What does the Chinese Lantern symbolize during the Mid-Autumn Festival?

On this day, the Chinese believe that the moon is at its brightest and fullest size, coinciding with harvest time in the middle of Autumn. Lanterns of all size and shapes, are carried and displayed – symbolic beacons that light people’s path to prosperity and good fortune.

Why do Chinese emperors celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival?

Ancient Chinese emperors worshiped the harvest moon in autumn, as they believed that the practice would bring them a plentiful harvest the following year. The term “Mid-Autumn” first appeared in the book Rites of Zhou (周礼), written in the Warring States Period (475 – 221 BC).

What is Mid-Autumn Festival called in Chinese?

Mooncake Festival
The Mid-autumn Festival (or Zhong Qiu Jie in Mandarin), also known as the Mooncake Festival, falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is called the Mid-autumn Festival because the 15th day is the middle of a month, and the eighth lunar month is in the middle of autumn.

What do you do at Mooncake Festival?

Things to See and Do During the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

• Choose your Lantern Carnival.
• Eat mooncakes.
• Attend the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.
• See the Mid-Autumn Thematic Lantern Display.
• Moon-gaze from a beach or park.

Why do Chinese light up lanterns?

In ancient China, they were used to provide light and eventually as aspects of Buddhist worship. Today, they are used only for decoration and modern forms of celebration and worship. Lanterns have become a symbol of national pride in China and are used to decorate homes and public places.

Why do people carry lanterns during Mid-Autumn Festival?

In ancient times, lanterns were used as lighting tools, i.e. a traditional lamp; nowadays, lanterns have become handicrafts and ornamentals and people light the Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns to symbolize family reunion and to pray for good fortune.

What do mooncakes symbolize?

KATHY CHAN CEPPI: The symbolism of the mooncake, of course, is it’s round like the moon. It symbolizes family and harmony. It’s given as a gift.

When should you eat mooncakes?

It falls on Oct. 4 this year. Mooncakes, usually made of a rich paste filling surrounded by a thin crust, are traditionally eaten while sipping tea and gazing upon the roundest, brightest moon of the year after a mid-Autumn family dinner.

What do children do on the Mid-Autumn Festival in South China?

Colorful Lanterns: Fun Things to Do They are in flower or animal shapes, and painted with many colors. Teachers teach children to make them. The lanterns are beautiful at night. Lantern shows draw many people.

What do Chinese lanterns look like at Mid Autumn Festival?

These lanterns are usually in the shape of birds, fish, and fruits, covered with colorful papers and painted with Chinese characters “Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival”. On the festival night, the lanterns with burning candles inside are tied to the bamboo poles and hung in the heights of the house,…

When is the Mid Autumn Festival in China?

Mid Autumn Festival in China, also known as the Moon Festival, Chinese Moon Festival, or Zhongqiu Festival, is equivalent to the Thanksgiving celebration. It is a harvest festival that ethnic Chinese people celebrate on every 15th day of 8th month of the Chinese Han calendar.

Is the Chinese Moon Lantern Festival still popular?

Now, appreciating and playing with lanterns are still welcomed by many people, second in popularity popular only to the Lantern Festival. Chinese Moon Festival lanterns are mostly welcomed in south China and there are no large lantern shows being held like in the Lantern Festival.

Why is the Mid Autumn festival called the Mooncake Festival?

In China, it’s a reunion time for families, just like Thanksgiving, while in Vietnam, it’s more like a children’s day. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival.