第1个回答 2024-03-26
The origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival is deeply rooted in agricultural traditions. As autumn arrives, it marks the harvest season, with crops and fruits maturing successively. To rejoice in the yield and express their happiness, farmers have designated the Mid-Autumn Festival as a time for celebration. The round shape of the moon during this festival symbolizes family unity, evoking feelings of longing for loved ones and one's hometown.
Customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival include family gatherings where participants pay homage to the moon deity, praying for the welfare and fortune of the household. It is a time for unity, where everyone comes together to appreciate the full moon, consume mooncakes, and engage in lantern activities. Additionally, enjoying the scent of osmanthus and sipping on osmanthus wine are part of the festivities. Along with the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is counted among the four major traditional Chinese festivals.
Delicacies of the Mid-Autumn Festival typically include dumplings, lotus roots sweetened with sugar,烧饼 (savory pastries), salted water duck, large shrimps, duck meat, sweet soup dumplings,炒田螺 (stir-fried snails), lotus roots, glutinous rice cakes, osmanthus cakes, pomelos, persimmons, chestnuts, pumpkins, and mooncakes. These foods are unique to the Mid-Autumn Festival and are essential for the celebrations. Families often purchase mooncakes, which are not only a significant food item for the festival but also play a vital role in moon worship rituals. The Mid-Autumn Festival usually falls in late September or early October of the Gregorian calendar. This is when crabs, snails, and lotus roots are in season. It's advisable to raise them for a while before consumption to allow them to expel their young, ensuring better taste. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, pomelos are abundant, offering a fruitful and juicy treat. Apples are crisp and refreshing, with a pleasant sweet and sour taste.