It’s therefore essential to eat watermelon during Mid-Autumn if you want to avoid any family feuds.Īnother way that communities commemorate Mid-Autumn is by lighting paper lanterns. Finally, the round shape of the watermelon, like the moon, makes it a symbol of family reunion. Whether in cake or wine form, osmanthus is believed to bring you happiness (though we’re sure wine of any variety should do the trick here!).
#Midautumn bbq full#
Osmanthus is another traditional Mid-Autumn food as it’s during this time of year that the flowers are in full bloom. It has since become a tradition to eat pumpkins on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival in order to bring good health. Nowadays, they’re typically eaten in small wedges, accompanied by Chinese tea, and come in a range of innovative new flavours that offer interesting twists to tradition.Ī lesser-known Mid-Autumn foodie custom – pumpkins! A common folkloric tale tells the story of a young girl who was able to cure her gravely ill parents of their sickness after feeding them a pumpkin. They are said to have originated from Yuan dynasty (1271 to 1368AD) revolutionaries who apparently used the pastries to pass along secret messages. One of the most popular ways of celebrating Mid-Autumn is by eating mooncakes! For the uninitiated, mooncakes are moreish pastries filled with a rich concoction of egg yolks and lotus seed paste (don’t worry, they taste better than they sound!). Beyond thanksgiving, as the full moon also stands as a cultural symbol for family reunion, the festival has become a time for estranged or far away family members to gather and reunite. Of course, as to be expected in Hong Kong, Mid-Autumn also has a familial element to it. As such, Mid-Autumn became a time of giving thanks to the moon for the past year’s harvest, as well as ensuring good luck for the next year to come. In ancient times, it was observed that the moon’s cycle was closely linked to agricultural production. But how did it all begin? Though the exact origins of the holiday has long been debated, it’s generally agreed that Mid-Autumn started as an ode to the moon. With roots dating back to the early Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD), it’s clear that Mid-Autumn is well engrained in traditional culture.
While Hong Kong is now highly urbanised, Mid-Autumn remains one of the city’s favourite festivals. Festivities traditionally began as a way to give thanks for the crop harvest. Instead, Mid-Autumn typically falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Like most Hong Kong holidays, Mid-Autumn has no fixed date.
We’re talking late night family feasts (hence the subsequent public holiday), special cakes and even fire dragon dances. Key Dates For 2019 What Is Mid-Autumn Festival?Īlso known as the Moon Festival or Harvest Moon Festival, think of Mid-Autumn as the east asian counterpart to the western Harvest Festival – but bigger. But what exactly is it all about? What’s the history behind the festivities and what are you supposed to do to celebrate? We unpack everything from Hong Kong traditions to dates for upcoming events. Second only to Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival is one of Hong Kong’s most beloved holidays. Mooncakes and lanterns at the ready! Here’s everything you need to know about the history and popular cultural traditions behind the Mid-Autumn Festival.
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