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The Do’s and Don’ts of Mid-Autumn Festival: A Guide to Avoiding Bad Luck

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated during the full moon, the brightest of the year. However, it is also believed to be a time when negative energy is at its peak.

Administrator

2 September, 2024

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time when the moon is at its brightest and roundest. In ancient times, the sun was considered yang, and the moon, yin. Therefore, during this festival, when the moon is at its peak, yin energy also thrives. So, to have a lucky Mid-Autumn Festival, keep in mind the following:

Be cautious when going out at night

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moonlight often entices people to go out and admire it, celebrating with outdoor festivities. However, as this is a time when yin energy is at its strongest, going out may not be advisable for everyone. Thus, the infirm, women who have just given birth, young children, those facing financial losses, people in mourning, and those who have recently gone through a breakup should refrain from venturing out at night during the festival to avoid being enveloped by the pervasive yin energy.

Enjoy the Mid-Autumn Moon, But Be Wary of Nighttime Excursions

Opt for Cheerful, Bright-Colored Attire

It is advisable to avoid wearing dark colors during the Mid-Autumn Festival, as this is a joyous occasion that calls for vibrant and cheerful clothing choices that align with the festive atmosphere and bring good luck. Donning dark shades can diminish one’s luck. Instead, embrace yellow and red outfits to attract fortune. Folklore also suggests that red underwear brings good luck to women.

Refrain from Cutting Hair that Covers the Forehead

In ancient times, it was believed that during the brightly lit Mid-Autumn Festival, one should not let their hair cover their forehead, as it could result in the loss of blessings and fortune. A high and bright forehead is thought to attract the blessings and guidance of the divine. Additionally, in the past, letting hair fall over the forehead was considered a taboo, as it hindered the reception of positive energy. Both men and women are advised to keep their hair neat and off their foreheads.

Avoid Offering Deformed Fruits for Worship

When selecting fruits, candies, and other offerings for worship during the festival, it is important to choose those that are perfectly round and intact, avoiding any deformed or ugly-looking items. The offerings should be whole and complete to symbolize fullness and good luck.

Recommended Activities for the Mid-Autumn Festival

Offer incense and pray: During the Mid-Autumn Festival, it is customary to offer incense to ancestors and deities and to visit temples to pray for good health and fortune. While the offerings don’t need to be extravagant, they should be well-prepared and presented neatly. When offering incense outdoors, face the direction of the sun.

Perform charitable acts: Engaging in charitable deeds is believed to bring merit and good luck to the benefactor.

Wear red thread bracelets: In the past, people believed that wearing red thread bracelets or bracelets with five different colors would bring good luck.

Buy or collect water: During the festival, when the moon is bright and beautiful, people believed that water would also be at its most pristine and auspicious. As such, it was customary to either buy water or collect it from auspicious places to bring home.

Moonbathing: The ancient custom of placing water outside to absorb the moonlight and then using it to wash one’s face, believing it would enhance one’s beauty, holds special significance during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Lion dance: The lion dance is a common feature of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, believed to ward off evil spirits and invite good luck. You can either watch lion dance performances or invite lion dance troupes to your home to bring good fortune and dispel negative energy.

Hang lanterns: Lanterns symbolize good luck and prosperity, and the light they emit is thought to ward off evil spirits. In ancient times, people lit lanterns to welcome deities and prevent evil spirits from entering their homes, as it was believed that evil spirits feared fire. Thus, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, lanterns are lit to reduce yin energy and increase yang energy.

This information is for reference and entertainment purposes only.

Frequently asked questions

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival celebrated by Vietnamese and Chinese people, among other Asian cultures. It is a time to gather with family and friends to admire the full moon, which is believed to be at its brightest and roundest of the year. The festival also celebrates the harvest and is a time to give thanks for prosperity and good fortune.

Some of the dos include buying and displaying lanterns, exchanging gifts, and eating mooncakes. It is also considered lucky to wear new clothes and to burn incense and paper offerings to the gods and ancestors. As for don’ts, it is considered bad luck to break glass or ceramics, sweep the floor, or take a nap during the festival. It is also important to avoid arguing or speaking ill of others, as it is believed that the gods are watching and listening during this time.

Mooncakes are traditional pastries eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They are considered a delicacy and are often exchanged as gifts. Mooncakes are round, symbolizing completeness and unity, and are typically imprinted with a traditional pattern. They are also believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

There are several superstitions and beliefs associated with the festival. For example, it is considered bad luck to walk under a ladder or to have a mirror break in your house during this time. It is also believed that the full moon has the power to grant wishes, and people may make wishes for good health, wealth, and happiness.

In modern times, the Mid-Autumn Festival is still a time for family gatherings and exchanging gifts. People may also attend special events and performances, such as lantern festivals and dragon dances. In some places, there are also firework displays and parades to celebrate the occasion.