Prayers and wishes are sent forth to the Lady of the Moon. Moon poetry is also read. For family members or lovers who are not together, the Moon Festival is the perfect time to gaze at the moon and remember loved ones. Simultaneously gazing at the moon, even though the loved one is far away, makes families and lovers feel closer.Moon festival events are held in many countries for its Chinese residents. Lantern festivals, fairs and moon-gazing activities are commonly held throughout the world to honor the season and the moon. In the US and other countries, Chinese moon festivals are also celebrated by families through night picnics, moon poetry reading and moon-gazing.There are several bases why this holiday is close to the hearts of the Chinese.
The Moon Festival and ThanksgivingIn old rural China, villagers were more attuned to the moon calendar to time their planting and harvesting. It is this time of year when villagers have finished working on the fields. Families finally get together again and give thanks for the harvest.The Moon Festival and Love for Family.The romance of the Moon Festival is not forgotten as it is surrounded by colorful legends centering on love and family. There are many variations, but a common thread is about Hou Yi the Archer and his wife Lady Chang'E.In the olden days, it was said that 10 suns arose and shone on the earth. The extreme heat from the suns dried up the earth and the fields. People starved. Hou Yi the archer shot down 9 of the suns and saved the earth. The Jade Emperor was pleased and awarded him with the Elixir of Life. Hou Yi had a wife, Chang'E. There are different versions to the story.
One version is that Hou Yi gave the elixir to Chang' E for safekeeping. Another version says that Hou Yi hid the elixir and Chang'E accidentally found it. Either way, Chang'E ingests the Elixir of Life. She becomes very light and floats up to the heavens. She also changes into a toad. Hou Yi chases her through the heavens, but does not succeed in getting her back. Chang'E lands on the moon. Hou Yi accepts their fate and has a Moon Palace built for her. The gods, touched by Hou Yi's love for Chang'E, allow them to meet there once a month, when the moon is full.The Jade Rabbit's origins also have different versions. It is commonly told that the rabbit accompanies Chang'E on the moon and continually concocts the Elixir of Life.
Historically, the mooncake and the moon festival has also been instrumental for the Chinese to overthrow the Mongol rulers. In 1368, written messages were baked into mooncakes with instructions to rebel against the ruling Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty. The messages instructed that on the night of Eight-fifteen, every family is to raise flags and lanterns on their rooftops at night, between eleven and one o' clock. Villagers were instructed to beat on drums and gongs. When the Mongol army saw this setup, they were deceived to be outnumbered and they retreated. The Chinese regained their freedom.The Moon Festival evokes incredible emotions of gratitude, love and appreciation for freedom. The feelings of families giving gratitude for the year's blessings are strong by itself. Combining it further with appreciation that one's ancestors had the courage to stand up for freedom further highlights the positive feelings toward this festival.
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