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Story of chinese mid autumn festival12/11/2023 ![]() ![]() The top of the cakes are usually decorated using a mold with floral designs or the Chinese character for "longevity." Different regions between China and even Vietnam will have their own style and recipes for moon cakes that range from sweet to savory. Traditionally, moon cakes are round in shape with petal like ridges along the outside. A few select restaurants in Hong Kong will make the pastries fresh themselves, while it is rare to find in the states. You can find these tasty pastries at your local Chinese grocery market or in many authentic Chinese restaurants, sold in attractively decorated tin boxes. Moon cake is one of the most popular treats eaten during the Moon Festival, which are generally only available during this time of the year. While worshipping the moon is a declining practice, there are plenty of other fun traditions which are still being observed today - mostly revolving around eating way more than is socially acceptable. That night, he laid out his wife's favorite fruits and cakes and prayed that he may one day see her again. Upon his return, Hou Yi was devastated to hear what had happened. Wishing to stay close to her husband, Chang'e drifted to the moon so she may look upon her husband each night. No sooner did she begin to feel weightless as she floated towards the sky. Refusing to give up the elixir, Chang'e quickly consumed the entire bottle. With a sword drawn against her, Chang'e knew she could not win the fight against Peng Meng. ![]() Then, on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, while Hou Yi was out hunting, one of his apprentices named Peng Meng came to steal the elixir which had been given to Chang'e for safekeeping. Having saved the people from the torture of ten suns, Hou Yi was regarded as a hero and his achievements attracted people from all corners to come study under him. Infuriated at the loss of his sons, the Jade Emperor stripped Hou Yi and Chang'e of their immortality and banished them to earth to live as mortals. He raised his bow to the skies and shot down nine of the ten suns. Witnessing the destruction for himself on earth, Hou Yi showed no mercy. In the land of the gods, the Jade Emperor's ten rebellious sons transformed themselves into scorching suns, devastating the earth, making it impossible for crops to grow and people to live. Unable to contain their mischief, the helpless emperor called on the legendary archer Hou Yi to teach his sons a lesson. One of the most popular stories associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is that of Chang'e and her husband Hou Yi. Each time the the stories are told, it changes a little, makes for a kind of living legend. ![]() Many of the legends and myths in Chinese culture are passed down from generation to generation through stories told by our parents, who were told the same stories by their parents. Historically, families gather together during this holiday and worship the moon or Moon Goddess by making offerings of food and incense, enjoy traditional treats and snacks, and feast together at the round table as a family. With the harvest moon in its full glory, the festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which generally corresponds to late September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. It is so deeply ingrained in Chinese culture that it is considered in Mainland China today as an "intangible cultural heritage." In 2008, it was even made into an official public holiday in China. Also known as the Moon Festival or Jung Chau Jit (中秋節) in Chinese, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a special lunar calendar holiday which has been celebrated in Chinese culture for over 3000 years, and is said to have originated in the Zhou Dynasty (1045-221 BC). ![]()
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