The Mid-Autumn Festival: History, Traditions and Cultural Significance

Every year, as the harvest season approaches and the moon shines at its brightest, millions of people across China and around the world gather to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节, Zhōngqiū Jié). Falling on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month—usually in September or early October—this centuries-old tradition is second only to Chinese New Year in cultural significance. This year it falls on the 6th October, with a three day public holiday scheduled for workers across China.

The festival embodies themes of reunion, gratitude, and reflection, and continues to play a central role in both family life and broader cultural identity across China and throughout East Asia. In Chinese culture, the roundness of the full moon symbolizes unity and togetherness, making this holiday a cherished opportunity for families to come together, share a meal, and celebrate harmony. It is also incorporated into other facets of Chinese culture, including furniture and architecture. Our own Circular Shelves or the large, round door plates seen on our Chinese wedding cabinets, for example, are meant to resemble the moon, whilst rounded entranceways are common in traditional Chinese homes and businesses for the same reason.

Historical Origins

The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival can be traced back more than 3,000 years, to ancient Chinese practices of moon worship and harvest rituals. During the Zhou and Tang dynasties, emperors held ceremonies to express gratitude to the moon and pray for prosperity. Over time, these rites evolved into a festival celebrated by families and communities, emphasizing community and abundance.

Beyond family gatherings, the festival also carries deep spiritual and seasonal meaning. It marks the end of the harvest season and honors the beauty of nature, reminding people to give thanks for crops and hope for good fortune in the year ahead.

Legends and Mythology

Like many traditional festivals, the Mid-Autumn Festival is closely linked to myth. The most enduring tale is that of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess.

According to the legend, Hou Yi, a skilled archer, saved the earth by shooting down nine of ten suns that scorched the land. As a reward, he was granted an elixir of immortality. His wife, Chang’e, consumed the elixir to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, after which she ascended to the moon, where she resides to this day.

This story, passed down through centuries, highlights themes of sacrifice, longing, and eternal love. During the festival, many families retell the legend, reinforcing the cultural and moral values embedded in it.

Customs and Practices

The Mid-Autumn Festival is marked by a range of distinctive customs that continue to be widely observed and that bring families and communities together:

• Mooncakes: Perhaps the most recognizable tradition, mooncakes are round pastries symbolizing unity and completeness. They are often filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or salted egg yolks, and are exchanged among family, friends, and colleagues as tokens of goodwill.

• Moon Viewing: Families gather outdoors to appreciate the full moon, which represents reunion and harmony. This practice reflects a shared cultural appreciation of natural beauty and the cycles of the seasons.

• Lantern Displays: Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are displayed or carried, particularly by children. These symbolize hope, brightness, and the guiding light of family and tradition.

• Offerings to the Moon: In some households, offerings of fruit, mooncakes, and incense are placed under the moonlight as a form of respect and remembrance for ancestors.

A Festival Beyond Borders

While the festival is most closely associated with Chinese culture, it is celebrated across East and Southeast Asia, often with regional adaptations. In Vietnam, the Tết Trung Thu festival emphasizes children’s celebrations, while in Singapore and Malaysia, large lantern festivals and community gatherings are common. Despite variations, the central themes of reunion, gratitude, and the honoring of tradition remain consistent.

Why The Festival Still Matters

In today’s world, the Mid-Autumn Festival serves as a bridge between the past and present. It offers an opportunity to strengthen family ties, reaffirm cultural identity, and pass traditions on to younger generations. It is more than a seasonal celebration; it is a living tradition that connects families and communities to their history, mythology, and cultural heritage even as lifestyles modernise. Whether through sharing mooncakes, gazing at the full moon, or retelling ancient stories, participants engage in practices that have endured for millennia, affirming the enduring relevance of this festival in the modern era.

We at Shimu wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival. May your moon be bright, your table full and your family close.