Houston Community News >> Moon Festival in China
10/6/2006 -- The Moon Festival is a favorite holiday in China. And so it should be, because it is a time for family members to get together. The young and old members gather and rejoice. The ancestors are not forgotten. Family members remember the departed ones which are the family's foundation.
The Moon Festival or the Mid-Autumn Festival is a National Holiday. The festival is always on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Family reunions happen in every province in China. The family members exchange gifts. Also, there is an array of great foods to eat.
On the evening of the Moon Festival, the family gathers together and gazes at the full moon. It is felt that missing family members and lovers are not faraway. This is because wherever the missing, they are watching the same moon.
A favorite food during the Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival is the moon cake. The moon cake is a sweet cake with a filling. The filling usually consists of a sweet bean paste. The cake is golden brown in color. Bakers across China bake the treats, days in advance, to satisfy the population’s sweet tooth.
The beloved moon cakes are eaten while gazing at the full moon. The memories of departed ancestors are honored. The family is an important part of people’s lives and the Moon Festival is the time to remember the wonderful people which compose a family.
(Contributed by Bellaonline)