If you happen to be in China or among Chinese communities around the world in September or October, you’ll notice a special atmosphere—colorful mooncakes on store shelves, lanterns hanging in streets, and families gathering together. This is the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important traditional festivals in Chinese culture, often called the "Moon Festival."
Rooted in ancient Chinese myths, the festival is closely tied to the story of Chang’e, a lady who flew to the moon and lived there alone. For thousands of years, people have celebrated it to honor family bonds and wish for harvests. Today, its core meaning remains the same: reunion. No matter how far family members are from home, they try their best to return and spend the night with loved ones.
The most iconic symbols of the festival are mooncakes and the full moon. Mooncakes are round pastries filled with sweet ingredients like red bean paste, lotus seed paste, or even salted egg yolks (which represent the full moon). Families share mooncakes while sitting outdoors, admiring the bright, round moon—believed to be the fullest and most beautiful on this night. Kids also love carrying colorful lanterns, often shaped like rabbits (a friend of Chang’e in the myth) or flowers, adding joy to the night.
This year, as the moon rises again, families will chat, laugh, and enjoy simple pleasures together. Even if you’re not Chinese, you can join in the fun: try a piece of mooncake, look up at the moon, and feel the warmth of togetherness. After all, the wish for happiness and unity is something everyone can understand.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
