Chinese Harvest Festival
Most cultures have a harvest festival. China is no exception.
The Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节 (Zhong Qiu Jie) is one of the three most important, traditional Chinese holidays.
(The other two are Chinese New Year and Dragon Boat Festival.)
It takes place on the fifteenth day of the eighth month (according to the lunar calendar). It is usually on or close to the time of the Harvest Moon, when the moon appears at its fullest during the autumn equinox.
It is also sometimes called the Mooncake Festival after the delicious treats eaten at this time of year. Traditionally, it is a time to meet with friends and family for a meal and watch the moon.
(Mid-Autumn Festival 2008 is September 14, 2008)
Mooncake
Legend of Chang E
the moon goddess
In ancient times, 10 suns scorched the earth until the fields could no longer produce crops and people were dying from the terrible drought. The hero Hou Yi shot down nine of the suns and saved the land from destruction.
As reward for saving the people, Hou Yi was made king and was given an immortality potion. Unfortunately, Hou Yi later became an evil ruler whom everyone hated. Even his wife, Chang E, despised him. She knew that if he took the immortality elixir, the nation would be destroyed by his never-ending evil. So, to save her countrymen, Chang E drank the potion herself.Her body became so light that she flew into the air and went to live on the moon where she became the Moon Goddess, accompanied by her jade rabbit.
On the night of the Mid Autumn Festival, look for Chang E on the surface of the full moon.
"When the moon is round, families unite."
"Yuè yuán, rén yuán."
The Moon Lady
The Moon Lady (Aladdin Picture Books)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
Used Price: $1.64
Chinese Festivals Video
Ways to Celebrate Mid Autumn Festival
- Go outdoors at night and watch the moon.
- Visit with friends and family, especially over a good meal.
- Eat mooncakes.
- Read or write poetry about the moon.
Origin of Mooncakes
During the 14th century Yuan dynasty, China was ruled by the Mongols. Many Chinese people desired to revolt against the Mongols. So they came up with a clever plan to communicate their revolution -- secret messages about the time and place of the revolt were hidden inside mooncakes. When Chinese citizens sliced the mooncakes, they found the secret messages about the revolt and joined in the effort. The revolt (on the night of the Mid Autumn Festival) was successful in driving the Mongols out of China, thanks to the mooncake communication.
The filling of a moon cake is usually sweet, but can also be savory. Nuts, lotus paste, red bean paste, and dates are common fillings. A cooked egg yolk is often embedded in the very center. A few people still make homemade mooncakes using wooden molds. But most people buy the commercial varieties packaged in lovely tins and boxes. Mooncakes
Mooncakes are round like the moon and symbollize togetherness and harmony. Molds made of metal or wood are used to press beautiful designs into the mooncakes.
The Mid-Autumn Moon
A full moon hangs high in the chilly sky,
All say it's the same everywhere, round and bright.
But how can one be sure thousands of li away
Wind and perhaps rain may not be marring the night?
by Li Qiao
Other Books Featuring the Moon Festival
Moon Festival
This story of children celebrating the traditional autumn Moon Festival is based on the author's memories of her childhood in China.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Used Price: $91.97
Round Is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes
A shape book themed around a Mid-Autumn Festival evening.
Homeschool Share has a free unit and printables to go along with this book.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Used Price: $11.93
Thank You, Meiling
An ill-mannered duck learns how to be courteous on a trip to the market with a Chinese boy who is buying moon cakes and lanterns to celebrate the Mid-autumn (Moon) Festival. Includes information about the phases of the moon, Chinese history and culture, and the Moon Festival.
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 10/06/2008)
Used Price: $12.96
Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts: Festivals of China
Not just about the Mid-Autumn Festival, but a resource book about many Chinese holidays.
Amazon Price: $14.65 (as of 10/06/2008)
Used Price: $2.80
Red Eggs and Dragon Boats: Celebrating Chinese Festivals
This book covers 5 traditional Chinese celebrations: the New Year with its Lantern Festival, the Clear Brightness Festival, a Full Month Red Egg and Ginger Party (for a new baby), the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Moon Festival.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Used Price: $0.43
Printables for Mid-Autumn Festival
- Crayola Coloring Page
- This simple coloring page brings the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival a little closer to home with a a huge moon in the sky over a suburban street.
- Mid-Autumn Festival Printables
- A minibook template, some graphics, and notebooking pages make up this freebie I created.
- Harvest Moon Coloring Page
- This page features pumpkins, a full moon, and a haystack. Although it is part of a Halloween set, it is applicable to Mid Autumn Festival.
- Moon Phases Circle Book #1
- Study about the moon during Mid Autumn Festival. This circle book turns with the aid of a paper fastener. This version is appropriate for younger children. If you find it too simplistic, try the next link.
- Moon Phases Circle Book #2
- This is the same format as the book template above but slightly more advanced. If you find the graphic of the wizard on the cover to be distracting, just cover it up with your own more appropriate image that suits the scientific nature of this resource.
- Moon Phase Cards
- Make flashcards, a minibook, or create a game with these printables.
- Lantern Printable Minibook
- A freebie from Homeschool Share -- a beautiful printable Chinese styled lantern shape book.
Chinese Resources at eBay
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Guestbook
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
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drs2biz
Mooncakes... this year I have eaten so many they are coming out of my ears!! Do you have a suggestion as to how I can use all the empty tins & boxes, Jimmie? BTW... a fantastic lens full of great images and information. Posted September 26, 2008 |
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OhMe
I'm on the committee for our town's Fall Harvest Festival so I will have to tell them all about Chang E. Very interesting. Thanks for the good info. 5* Posted September 11, 2008 |
nice work! i like it
Posted July 28, 2008
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aidenw
You did a great job creating this lens. The pictures are beautiful. I love mooncakes, yum yum! :) Posted April 20, 2008 |
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