Mid-Autumn Festival in China - Guangdong Gumo Crafts Technology Co., Ltd.
The traditional Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar every year. This is the middle of the autumn season of the year, hence the name Mid-Autumn. In the Chinese lunar calendar, the year is divided into four seasons, each of which is divided into three parts: the Meng, the Zhong and the Quarter, thus the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. The moon on the fifteenth day of the eighth month is fuller and brighter than the full moons of other months, which is why it is also called 'Moon Festival' and 'August Festival'. On this night, people look up at the bright moon in the sky like a jade disc and naturally look forward to family reunions. People who are far away from their hometowns also take this opportunity to express their nostalgia for their hometowns and loved ones. Therefore, Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as 'Reunion Festival'.
Ancient Moon Worship Traditions
In ancient times, our people had the custom of setting the moon at the end of autumn. In other words, they worshipped the moon god. In the Zhou Dynasty, every mid-autumn night, there was a ceremony to welcome the cold and offer sacrifices to the moon. A large incense burner was set up, and mooncakes, watermelons, apples, jujubes, plums, grapes and other offerings were placed on the table, of which mooncakes and watermelons were absolutely indispensable. The watermelon should also be cut in the shape of a lotus flower.
Under the moon, the statue of the moon god is placed in the direction of the moon, red candles are lit high, and the whole family pays homage to the moon in turn, and then the housewife cuts the mooncakes for reunion. The person who cuts the mooncake counts the number of people in the family in advance, those who are at home and those who are out of town, and all of them must be counted together, and they must not cut too much or too little, and the size must be the same.
Modern Celebrations and Cultural Significance
Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival remains one of the most important traditional holidays in China. Families gather to admire the bright full moon while enjoying mooncakes and tea. The festival has evolved to include modern elements while preserving ancient traditions. The round shape of mooncakes symbolizes completeness and reunion, reflecting the festival's core values of family unity and harmony.
The festival represents the harmony between humanity and nature, symbolized by the perfect roundness of the moon. This concept of reunion extends beyond family gatherings to include harmony in communities and society. The festival's values of family unity, gratitude, and hope resonate across cultures, making it increasingly celebrated worldwide.
Contemporary Gift-Giving Practices
Gift-giving has become an essential part of the celebration, with families exchanging presents to express love and blessings. During this special time, many people send custom greeting cards to distant relatives and friends to convey their heartfelt emotions and warm blessings. The tradition of sending heartfelt messages continues to thrive in the digital age, with beautifully crafted cards remaining a popular way to maintain connections.
As Chinese culture spreads globally, the Mid-Autumn Festival has gained international recognition. Many non-Chinese communities now participate in moon-viewing parties and enjoy traditional mooncakes. The festival's universal themes of family, gratitude, and harvest make it accessible and meaningful to people from diverse backgrounds.
The Mid-Autumn Festival continues to evolve while maintaining its core values of family, gratitude, and harmony. As we celebrate this ancient tradition, we're reminded of the importance of staying connected with loved ones and appreciating life's simple pleasures. For those looking to incorporate traditional elements into their modern celebrations, consider exploring our wooden greeting card collection that beautifully blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.