“Remember the 3 Foods, 1 Fruit, and 1 Action for a Blessed and Fortunate Mid-Autumn Festival”

6 November, 2024

Whether you’re financially comfortable or not, it’s common knowledge during this season that one should “eat three dishes, one fruit, and perform one ritual” to attract blessings and good luck, while also preserving precious cultural values.

Dish 1: Mooncakes

Mooncakes are a must-have during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Whether traditional or modern, mooncakes are always a highly anticipated treat for families. They are not just a delicacy but also a symbol of reunion and togetherness. With various fillings such as mixed nuts, mung bean paste, salted egg yolk, or modern twists like matcha and chocolate, mooncakes today come in different shapes but retain their traditional significance.

A popular traditional choice is the mung bean paste mooncake or the baked mixed nuts mooncake. When the full moon shines brightly, families often gather to enjoy these treats and engage in heartwarming conversations, creating memorable and meaningful moments.

Mooncakes are an indispensable part of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.

Dish 2: Steamed Buns

In addition to mooncakes, steamed buns are also favored during this festive season. The round shape of the buns symbolizes family reunion and prosperity.

Families often make and savor these hot buns together in the chilly autumn air, marking a unique way of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival for many.

Steamed buns are also a popular choice during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Dish 3: Green Bean Cakes

Green bean cakes, made from young glutinous rice, are a beloved traditional treat during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They have a delicate fragrance, a soft and chewy texture, and their jade green color represents elegance and purity.

During the festival, green bean cakes are often offered to ancestors and the moon, symbolizing peace, good luck, and blessings for the family. With their sweet mung bean filling and subtle aroma, these cakes are a refined delicacy that connects nature and humanity.

Mid-Autumn Fruit: Chinese Hawthorn

Chinese hawthorn is a must-have fruit during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is a typical autumn fruit, and in folk culture, it symbolizes prosperity and smooth sailing.

Ancestors believed that consuming this fruit during the festival would bring good luck and ease to the family and their endeavors. The round, bright red hawthorn berries not only taste delightful but also add a vibrant touch to the Mid-Autumn spread.

Ritual: Moon Worship

Apart from indulging in traditional delicacies, an essential ritual during the Mid-Autumn Festival is moon worship. Since ancient times, the Vietnamese have maintained this tradition to express gratitude and wish for well-being and prosperity for their families. On the evening of the festival, families set up a small altar outdoors, adorned with fruits and cakes, under the radiant full moon. They gather to offer prayers and wish for health, happiness, and success for all family members.

Mid-Autumn Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Traditional Food

In some regions, lion dances and processions with star-shaped lanterns add to the festive cheer. Children are gifted with beautiful lanterns, carrying their dreams and hopes, as they walk under the moonlight to the rhythmic beat of the lion dance drums.

The Mid-Autumn Festival isn’t just a cultural celebration; it’s an opportunity to reflect on family values and bonds. Despite the busyness of modern life, the festival prompts us to pause, savor traditional delicacies, share joy and happiness, and wish for a fortunate future.