The Origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the important traditional festivals for Chinese people, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month each year. Because the moon is usually round and bright on this day, people often associate the Mid-Autumn Festival with "reunion." There are many different legends about the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the most famous being "Chang'e Flying to the Moon." Legend has it that a long time ago, ten suns appeared in the sky, making the earth extremely hot. The hero Hou Yi shot down nine of the suns to help the people. Later, he obtained an elixir of immortality. To protect the elixir, Chang'e eventually flew to the moon. Hou Yi missed Chang'e dearly, and whenever the moon was round and bright, he would gaze at the moon and think of her. After people learned this story, they also began to admire the moon and offer sacrifices to the moon on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, gradually forming the customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Nowadays, in addition to moon gazing, many families also eat mooncakes, pomelos, and have barbecues together during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Some people also chat with their families, admire the moon, and enjoy the time spent together. I believe the most important meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival is "reunion." No matter how busy people are usually, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a day to gather with family. Looking at the bright moon in the sky makes me cherish every moment spent with my family even more. The Mid-Autumn Festival is not just a traditional holiday, but also a day that reminds us to cherish our families and the time spent together.