The Mid-Autumn Festival: A Time for Family, Tradition, and Abundance
Understanding the Significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival Altar
The 15th day of the eighth lunar month is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for moon worship and celebration. Unlike regular full moon days, this festival holds a special significance, as the moon is believed to be at its brightest and most powerful during this time of the year.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is also a time for joyous celebrations, with traditions such as lion dances, lantern processions, and moon gazing. These activities are believed to bring good fortune and ward off negative energies, inviting prosperity and harmony into the homes of celebrants.
On this day, families come together to offer two separate altars: one to their ancestors and deities, and another specifically for the Mid-Autumn Festival, dedicated to the moon.
Ripe Bananas: A Symbol of Sweetness and Abundance
The moon altar typically includes ripe bananas, pomelos, custard apples, pomegranates, pink silk cotton trees, young glutinous rice, sticky rice cakes, moon cakes, tea, and water. Lanterns in the shape of Mr. Sao (a mythical character) and pomelo dogs are also often included. This altar symbolizes the abundance of autumn’s harvest, with each element carefully chosen to represent prosperity and good fortune. The autumn fruits and treats honor the unity of the family, celebrating rich traditions and the warmth of shared stories, such as the folk tale of Mr. Cuoi and his loyal pomelo dog.
The fruits and cakes offered during the festival carry deep symbolism. The round moon cakes, for instance, represent the harmony of heaven and earth, while the bright moon above symbolizes unity and clarity. Ripe bananas, with their sweet fragrance, are believed to bring wealth and prosperity to the family.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to come together and savor the fruits of their labor, both literally and metaphorically. After the ceremony, it is customary to enjoy the offerings, a tradition known as “breaking the fast.” Ripe bananas are a key feature of this feast, as they represent immediate enjoyment and the sweetness of life. Unlike green bananas, which are typically used for decorative purposes, ripe bananas are ready to be shared and savored, embodying the spirit of celebration and abundance.
The Bounty of the Mid-Autumn Festival
Arranging the Mid-Autumn Festival Altar
When preparing the moon altar, it is customary to include a variety of autumn fruits and treats, such as pomelos, custard apples, pomegranates, bananas, moon cakes, tea, and water. For a more elaborate display, families may also add pomelo dogs, young glutinous rice cakes, and honeycombs.
The colors of the Mid-Autumn Festival are vibrant and joyful, reflecting the season’s bounty and the promise of good luck and happiness.
*For reference only.
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