Every year, millions across China and the Chinese diaspora gather to celebrate the August Moon Festival. In Chinese culture, the festival is one of the most important occasions, second only to Lunar New Year. Dating back over 3,000 years, the festival is traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th month on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. It is meant to commemorate the brightest and fullest moon of the year.

August Moon Festival, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, is a celebration of much more than the full moon. It coincides with the autumn harvest and is used as a Thanksgiving for the fertile soil and plentiful yield. The Chinese give thanks also to harmonious unions of love, friendship, and most importantly family. Family bonds are one of the most important celebrations of the festival. It is a celebration of gathering, an occasion for family reunion, and a time to appreciate the bonds that tie you together with those around you. The gathering of family is seen as the most important practice of the festival, which gives the tradition so much meaning. Finally, along with giving thanks for the harvest, and for family, the festival is used as an occasion to pray. We pray for the future, for whatever material or conceptual desires we seek, for good health, for love, for longevity, for prosperity. With gathering, gratitude, and prayer, the festival is a celebration of the past, present, and future.

History and Origins

The earliest recorded moon harvest celebration date back to 1600 BCE with the Shang Dynasty, however, these were not the large August Moon Festivals we know today. The first official reference to a “mid-August” festival was recorded in a collection of rituals during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BCE). Gaining most of its popularity during the Tang Dynasty. The official designation of the 15th day of the 8th month arose in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1270 CE).

While the agrarian origins of the festival have evolved and changed over China’s vast history, the celebration of the full moon and the designation of the “August Moon Festival” are derived from the myth of Chang’e, the moon goddess of immortality.  The tale goes:

During ancient times, there lived an archer named Hou Yi. At the time, there were ten suns in the sky that were burning and killing the people and crops on Earth. The Emperor summoned Hou Yi to shoot down nine suns, which he did successfully.

Life on Earth went back to normal after that, and as a reward, Hou Yi was given the elixir of immortality. However, he did not want to consume it without his beautiful wife Chang’e and requested the Queen Mother to give him enough for both of them. The Queen Mother agreed and gave him what he wanted.

Hou Yi and Chang’e decided to drink the elixir on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month together. However, a wicked man named Feng Meng, who was envious of Hou Yi’s skills, overheard them and decided to steal the elixir to consume himself.

On the 15th day, Hou Yi went out hunting, and Chang’e was alone at home. Feng Meng went to their house and forced her to give up the elixir. Acknowledging that she would not be able to defeat him, she drank the whole elixir by herself. In doing so, Chang’e started to fly and was lifted to heaven. She then decided to live on the moon as it was the closest to Earth and her love, Hou Yi.

When Hou Yi returned, he heard the news and was very sad. He prepared the food that Chang’e loved and placed it on a table in his garden, under the moon, hoping that she would return. Since then, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, people admire and worship the moon by offering food for her to bless. Chang’e, who is believed to be fair and beautiful herself, is said to bestow those who worship her with beauty, love, and prosperity.

To honor Hou Yi’s sadness and Chang’e’s tragedy, the August Moon Festival is used as an occasion to pray and worship the moon.

Lanterns of all shapes and sizes are made, lit, and displayed throughout the festival. These brightly colored lights have become a symbol of the festival itself.  Either carried around and paraded, lit on towers, hung in the streets and storefronts, or sent floating into the night sky, lanterns are a quintessential piece of tradition for Mid-Autumn celebrations, one that brings beauty and character to an already incredible gathering.

Making and sharing of these delicious lotus-bean-filled pastries. Their circular shape symbolizes completeness and reunion, underscoring again the commemoration of family unity. While specific customs across different regions of China and the world differ regarding Mooncakes, they are typically shared among family members. Sometimes made and distributed by the eldest in the family, sometimes given out and eaten by all, mooncakes are an honored part of festival celebrations, and vital to Chinese beliefs.

There are many lesser Mid-Autumn traditions, many of which vary by region and family. Those who still worship traditional deities, for example, will burn incense to honor Chang’e and other immortals. Customs that originated in South China but are much more ubiquitous in modern times are the dragon and lion dances which are meant to bring good luck and prosperity to all with food offerings, courtship rituals, and a plethora of games.

Boston-Area Festivals this Year

There are two major Boston-are celebrations happening this year if you want to participate in the festivities. Although the festival typically falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, many modern celebrations take place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Gregorian Calendar, or August 15th. If you wish to celebrate on the traditional day of the festival this year, the moon will be at its fullest and brightest on Friday, September 29. If, however, you wish to partake in the larger festivals in Boston, here are the two to look out for in Mid-August:

• The Boston Chinatown August Moon Festival, taking place on Sunday, August 13.
• The Quincy Center August Moon Festival, taking place on Sunday, August 20.

Quincy and Chinatown account for the majority of the Chinese-American population in Massachusetts, if you seek a larger festival, these are the two celebrations to join.