Lanterns will light up the night, and delicious moon cakes will be enjoyed this weekend to celebrate China’s second most important day on the Chinese lunar calendar, The Moon festival.
China’s Moon festival, or Mid-Autumn Festival, is a Chinese tradition that has been traced back as early as 1046 B.C., and is a public holiday practiced throughout China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and other neighboring countries. Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month on the Chinese lunar calendar, this year, the Moon Festival falls on September 27th, and for the first time in over 30 years, it falls on a day where there will also be a supermoon and a total lunar eclipse.
The Moon festival is a day of giving thanks for the Chinese people. Family and friends gather together and give thanks to the moon for harvest and pray for good fortune. In China, many believe the moon symbolizes harmony and utility. Some traditions include lantern lighting, dragon and lion dragon dancing, and exchanging of moon cakes. Moon Cakes are round, which represent the moon, and symbolize the reunion of a family. Moon cakes are presented to friends and family to demonstrate best wishes and good fortune.
Family values are important in the Chinese culture, so it was no surprise that China’s selection for the 2015 Academy Awards was the film, “The Nightingale.” A film that captivates the reality of the Chinese people. “The Nightingale” takes viewers on a journey that begins in modern day China, and leads the audience through the beautiful landscapes and hidden villages in the rural parts of China, all while telling the story of a grandfather teaching his granddaughter the importance of family traditions.
“The Nightingale” is set to release in select US theaters on November 6th.
