最佳答案The Origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day of...
The Origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is celebrated by Chinese people all over the world who gather with family and friends to appreciate the full moon, eat mooncakes, and engage in other festive activities. But where did this beloved festival come from? Let's take a look at its origins.
The Legend of Chang E and Hou Yi
One of the most famous legends associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is the story of Chang E and Hou Yi. According to the legend, Hou Yi was a skilled archer who shot down nine suns, leaving only one in the sky to provide light and warmth for the earth. In reward for this great feat, the Queen Mother of the West gave him an elixir of immortality. However, fearing for her safety if she were to be the only immortal on earth, Chang E swallowed the elixir herself and flew to the moon. Hou Yi, heartbroken, would gaze up at the moon every night, where he could see her reflection, and offer her his favorite treats, which later became known as mooncakes.
The Harvest Festival
Another origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival is closely tied to the agricultural calendar. In ancient times, this was a time of harvest when farmers would reap the fruits of their labor and celebrate the year's bounty. It was believed that the full moon symbolized wealth and abundance, so people would offer sacrifices to the moon goddess and pray for good harvests in the coming year. This tradition eventually evolved into a time of family reunions and enjoying mooncakes and other delicacies, which symbolize unity and completeness.
A Time for Resistance
A more recent origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival dates back to the 14th century during the Yuan dynasty. The Mongols, who ruled China at the time, were not well-liked by the Han Chinese. In 1368, a rebellion led by Zhu Yuanzhang successfully overthrew the Yuan dynasty and established the Ming dynasty. It was said that the rebels were able to coordinate their attacks and overthrow the Yuan dynasty because they used mooncakes to pass secret messages. The mooncakes contained notes with instructions for the rebellion, which were hidden inside the filling. This led to the tradition of the \"revolutionary mooncake,\" which was used to spread messages and organize resistance against oppressive rulers.
In conclusion, the Mid-Autumn Festival has a rich and varied history, from ancient agricultural traditions to the romantic stories of Chang E and Hou Yi to political resistance against tyrannical rulers. While the festival has evolved and changed over time, it continues to be a cherished holiday for Chinese people around the world, celebrating family, unity, and the beauty of the full moon.
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