Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most widely celebrated traditional holidays in Asia. With roots dating back over 3,000 years to ancient China, the festival has evolved into a unique cultural phenomenon. Held on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, the date varies on the Gregorian calendar, depending on which day the full moon falls. This year, it will be celebrated on 6th October.

It is the celebration in honour of the moon goddess, Chang’e, who ascended to the moon with her pet moon rabbit, Yutu. The moon rabbit’s ‘shadow’ can be observed on the near side of the full moon, which, according to Chinese folklore, is pounding herbs with a mortar and pestle to make the elixir of immortality.

Here in Hong Kong, Mid-Autumn is also known as the Mooncake Festival, after its baked dessert namesake. Mooncakes commonly consist of a thick, tender pastry skin encasing a sweet, dense filling, often made from lotus seed paste and red bean paste. They also contain one or several whole salted egg yolks in the centre to symbolise the full moon. Nowadays, several versions of the mooncake are made using non-traditional ingredients, like ice cream, egg custard, coffee, and even savoury versions with minced pork. Mooncakes are offered as gifts to family, friends, and colleagues in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Moon gazing is a common practice during the festival, with families and friends gathering outdoors, commonly in parks and beaches around Hong Kong, to watch the full moon rise. Children carry either handmade or store-bought lanterns, which come in many shapes and sizes, symbolising beacons that light the path toward prosperity and good fortune. These lanterns are sold around Hong Kong a couple of weeks before the festival, with common designs including rabbits and fish – auspicious symbols in Chinese culture.

As many of the Mid-Autumn festivities take place in the evening, the following day is designated as a statutory public holiday in Hong Kong. Many migrant domestic workers use their leave to celebrate with friends, having picnics and watching the many dragon and lion dances around the city. One of the most famous is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance; each evening over the course of three days, a 67-metre fire dragon made of incense sticks is paraded by 300 performers, accompanied by a smaller dragon carried by children. 

Mid-Autumn Festival is also celebrated in Chinatown districts across the world, such as Glodok in Jakarta and Binondo in Manila. Streets are adorned with lanterns and vibrant decorations, and local dishes, infused with Chinese influences, create a delectable fusion of flavours. Captivating performances, from lion dances to lantern displays, showcase the diverse cultural heritage of the Chinese-Indonesian and Chinese-Filipino communities.

While the festival was originally commemorated to celebrate the harvest and its bounty, now, we can instead be grateful for the bounties we have in our own lives. Appreciate our families and loved ones, and how much we have accomplished over the past year. 

It can sometimes be disheartening when we are faced with seemingly unending challenges and difficulties, so it pays to take time to reflect on the positives in life. It could be anything: a family member overcoming an illness, a child finishing school, finally being able to focus on a healthy lifestyle, or simply feeling gratitude for the opportunities we have been given. When you gaze up at the full moon on October 6th, remember, even just for a split second, we are all but stardust, and we are lucky to be here living our lives. Happy Mooncake Festival!