Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 – When is the 15th day of the 8th lunar month in the Gregorian calendar?
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Children’s Festival or Moon Festival, is a traditional holiday celebrated by Vietnamese people. It is a time for family reunions, with children enjoying parties, lantern processions, and moon gazing.
The Mid-Autumn Festival occurs on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month every year, which falls on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, in the Gregorian calendar.
From the beginning of the 8th lunar month, traditional activities such as making lanterns, decorations, and mooncakes, as well as lion dances, start taking place. Streets specializing in decorative items, like Hang Ma Street in Hanoi, display a plethora of festive goods, attracting thousands of visitors.
What should be included in the Mid-Autumn Festival offerings?
The offerings for the Mid-Autumn Festival don’t need to be overly elaborate. Usually, sweet treats such as candies, cakes, and fruits are sufficient. Depending on local customs and beliefs, the offerings may vary to suit the specific region.
For those who prefer a more savory spread, dishes like chicken, sticky rice, traditional specialties, or family favorites can be prepared.
The fruit selection for the moon-viewing ceremony typically includes autumnal fruits such as ripe bananas, persimmons, pomelos, custard apples, and pomegranates. Mooncakes, both baked and sticky, are also essential components of the offerings.
The most traditional prayer for the 15th day of the 8th lunar month
According to the book “Vietnamese Traditional Prayer” published by the Information and Culture Publishing House, the prayer for the 15th day of the 8th lunar month is as follows:
We respectfully bow to the Heaven and Earth Gods and all the deities.
We respectfully bow to the Local Deities, the Land Gods, and the Kitchen Gods, along with all the deities.
We respectfully bow to our ancestors, including our great-grandparents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, and cousins from both paternal and maternal sides.
Your faithful (name) residing at (address)
Today is the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival. We respectfully prepare offerings of incense, flowers, tea, and fruits, along with a heartful incense stick, to present before the altar.
We invite the Local Deities, the Five Directions Gods, the Dragon Gods, and the Wealth Gods to descend upon our altar and witness our sincerity in preparing these offerings.
We invite our ancestors, including our great-grandparents, grandparents, and all our beloved ancestors, to be compassionate and witness our sincerity. Please accept our offerings.
We also invite the previous and current owners of this house and land to join us in enjoying these offerings. May you bless us with good health, peace, and prosperity, free from any disasters or hardships.
Our offerings may be simple, but they are presented with utmost sincerity. We bow before the altar and pray for your blessings and protection.
Respectfully announced!
This information is for reference only.
What Holidays and Observances Are in July?
July is a month of significant celebrations and observances, both nationally and internationally. From cultural festivals to historical anniversaries, this month has it all. As we step into the seventh month of the year, let’s explore the question on everyone’s mind: What holidays and events does July have in store for us? It’s time to dive into the exciting calendar of July and uncover the special days that await us.