A significant traditional celebration in Chinese culture is the Mid-Autumn celebration, also known as the Moon Festival, which occurs on August 15 of the lunar calendar. The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in many different ways across the world, including in Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and the Chinese community. To better comprehend Taiwan's Mid-Autumn Festival customs and taboos, [Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network] put together this article for readers.
Coming soon is the Mid-Autumn Festival. An introduction to the traditions and culture of Taiwan's Mid-Autumn Festival.Photo reproduced from Pixabay
In Asian culture, the Mid-Autumn Festival is the most significant traditional holiday. Along with the Lunar New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival, it is among the three most significant events for Chinese people.
Coming soon is the Mid-Autumn Festival. An introduction to the traditions and culture of Taiwan's Mid-Autumn Festival.Photo provided by Lesley
Chinese culture has several significant traditions that are observed during the Mid-Autumn Festival:
1. Admire the moon
The 15th day of the lunar calendar, which is the day of the full moon, is when the Mid-Autumn Festival takes place. Families tend to go home and reunite by observing the moon.
2. Honor one's ancestors
Worshiping the ancestors is a significant custom observed on the three main days of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, and Dragon Boat Festival. Prepare "three animals" and "three vegetables" as sacrifices to show the ancestors the family's current position. The entire family may savor the gourmet cuisine of sacrifices during a reunion supper.
Coming soon is the Mid-Autumn Festival. An introduction to the traditions and culture of Taiwan's Mid-Autumn Festival.Photo provided by Lesley
3. Worship the Land God
Harvest time is celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the Mid-Autumn Festival, we worship the Land God and give thanks to the gods for blessing this year's harvest and the family's overall safety in order to celebrate the fall harvest.
4. Worship the Moon Goddess
There is a tradition of "worshiping the Moon Goddess" at the Mid-Autumn Festival by offering mooncakes, pomelos, persimmons, and other sacrifices in order to pray for the family's safety and a joyful reunion. However, according to folklore, males often abstain from the Moon Goddess worship rituals.
Coming soon is the Mid-Autumn Festival. An introduction to the traditions and culture of Taiwan's Mid-Autumn Festival.Photo reproduced from Pixabay
5. Consume pomelos.
The pomelo season, which coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, is also associated with good fortune. Consuming pomelo during the Mid-Autumn Festival aims to safeguard one’s children's and grandchildren's wellbeing.
6. Consume mooncakes.
The Mid-Autumn Festival's "reunion cakes" are also known as mooncakes, and the festival's moon also represents reunion. The Mid-Autumn Festival also takes on a sense of reunion when the entire family gathers to admire the moon and eat mooncakes.
Coming soon is the Mid-Autumn Festival. An introduction to the traditions and culture of Taiwan's Mid-Autumn Festival.Photo provided by Lesley
7. Barbecue
During the Mid-Autumn Festival in Taiwan, barbecue is a must-have. On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, local governments will also open parks, squares, and other public spaces so that everyone can grill. Taiwan has a distinctive Mid-Autumn Festival tradition and culture that involves barbecuing while admiring the moon.
