Embedded Files
Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋節(zhōng qiū jié)
Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋節(zhōng qiū jié)
At the end of the fall harvest period is the Mid-Autumn Festival. 中 (zhōng) means "middle" and 秋 (qiū) means "autumn." The Mid-Autumn Festival is on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. On the Gregorian calendar, it is typically in September or early October.
The fifteenth day of every lunar month is always a 滿月(mǎn yuè) full moon. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival. There are a few stories associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, all involving the moon.
First is the story of Chang'e:
Many years ago, there were ten suns in the sky. With ten suns, the people on earth were hot and miserable. One day, a skilled archer named 后羿 (Hòu Yì) shot down nine of the suns. Everyone on earth rejoiced and Hou Yi was considered a hero. Even the Queen Mother of the West 西王母 (xī wáng mǔ) was impressed. She rewarded Hou Yi with an elixir that could make one person immortal. Hou Yi eventually let the fame go to his head. He was irritable and would kill people for no reason. People feared that life would always be like that, especially if Hou Yi drank the elixir and lived forever.
嫦娥 (Cháng'é) Chang'e, Hou Yi's wife, shared the same fear. When Hou Yi was out, Chang'e decided to look for the elixir. She drank it herself and started floating up to the heavens. Chang'e settled on the moon. Hou Yi was furious and grabbed his bow and arrows. However, his love for Chang'e was so great. He could not bring himself to shoot down the moon.
People admire the moon and thank Chang'e for saving them.
Next is the story of the Jade Rabbit:
According to legend, three immortals came down to earth and disguised themselves as beggars. They asked a fox 狐狸 (hú lí), a monkey 猴 (hóu), and a rabbit 兔 (tù) for food. The fox and the monkey both found some food, but the rabbit came back with nothing. The rabbit was extremely sorry and offered himself as food, jumping into their fire. The immortals were deeply touched and decided to let the rabbit live forever on the moon. He became known as the Jade Rabbit 玉兔 (yù tù). You can see the outline of a rabbit on the moon.
The Jade Rabbit is commonly depicted with a mortar and pestle. Some believe he is trying to mix an elixir to help Chang'e go back to earth. No success so far though.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is another chance for family gathering. It celebrates a successful harvest, ensuring that there is enough food to get through the winter. Lanterns are also common during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Everyone eats moon cakes 月餅 (yuè bǐng) while enjoying the company of their loved ones under a full moon.
Four Seasons 四季 (sì jì)
Four Seasons 四季 (sì jì)
Directions 方向 (fāng xiàng)
Directions 方向 (fāng xiàng)
When you are playing Mahjong, the order of the winds is East, South, West, and North.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse