What is the Mid-Autumn Festival in English?

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or the Autumn Festival, is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar. This festival has a long history and rich cultural connotations.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is closely related to the lunar calendar. In ancient times, people regarded the moon as a symbol of reunion and prosperity. On this day, the moon is at its fullest and brightest, symbolizing the unity and completeness of the family. Families gather together to enjoy the full moon, eat mooncakes, and share the joy of the festival.

Mooncakes are the most distinctive food of the Mid-Autumn Festival. They are round in shape, symbolizing reunion. The fillings of mooncakes are various, including sweet bean paste, lotus seed paste, five-nuts, and meat. The crust of mooncakes is usually made of wheat flour and is crispy and delicious. People give mooncakes as gifts to relatives and friends, expressing their good wishes for reunion and happiness.

In addition to eating mooncakes, there are also many other customs during the Mid-Autumn Festival. One of the important customs is to admire the moon. Families go out to the courtyard or on the balcony, set up tables and chairs, and place some mooncakes and fruits on them. They look up at the bright moon in the sky and tell stories about the moon. This is a time for family members to communicate and enjoy the beautiful moonlight together.

Another custom is to play with lanterns. In some areas, people make various lanterns, such as rait lanterns, flower lanterns, and palace lanterns. These lanterns are hung in the courtyard or on the street, adding a festive atmosphere to the festival. Children especially like to play with lanterns, running and jumping happily in the moonlight.

The Mid-Autumn Festival also has rich cultural connotations. It is a time to express gratitude and love for relatives and friends. People express their good wishes for each other's health, happiness, and success through various activities. At the same time, this festival also reflects the traditional Chinese concept of family and reunion. Family is the foundation of society, and the Mid-Autumn Festival emphasizes the importance of family ties and the value of reunion.

In modern society, although people's lives have changed a lot, the Mid-Autumn Festival still retains its original charm. People still gather together to celebrate this festival, enjoy the family reunion, and pass on the traditional culture. With the development of the economy and society, the Mid-Autumn Festival has also become an important cultural symbol and tourism resource. Many tourist attractions hold various activities to celebrate the festival, attracting a large number of tourists to participate.

In conclusion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival full of cultural connotations and family warmth. It is not only a time for people to enjoy delicious food and beautiful scenery, but also a time to express their emotions and values. Through this festival, we can better understand and inherit the traditional Chinese culture and promote the development and prosperity of society.