By the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Mid-Autumn Festival had been fixed, which became even grander in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). They enjoyed the full, bright moon on that day, worshipped it and expressed their thoughts and feelings under it. Later aristocrats and literary figures helped expand the ceremony to common people. Historical books of the Zhou Dynasty had had the word "Mid-Autumn". In ancient China, emperors followed the rite of offering sacrifices to the sun in spring and to the moon in autumn. “ Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats ” is hands down one of my favourite children books about China, and the one I consider as “ The” standard for culture-related non-fiction children’s books.īestselling cookbook author Nina Simonds and Leslie Swartz of the Boston Children’s Museum know how to appeal to a younger audience by pairing myths and legends with recipes, crafts and hands-on activities for children to actually try.The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in October in Gregorian calendar. Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipesīy Nina Simonds and Leslie Swartz, Illustrated by Meilo So As they eat mooncakes, drink tea and watch the night sky together, Mama and Baba tell ancient tales of a magical tree that can never be cut down, the Jade Rabbit who came to live on the moon and one brave woman’s journey to eternal life. “ Mooncakes“ is the lyrical story of a young girl who shares the special celebration of the Chinese Moon Festival with her parents. Ultimately, t he Mid-Autumn Festival is an occasion for families to sit together at the round table with bowls full of rice, to tell each other stories and to thank the moon for the generous harvest. Anything that is wholesome, positive, and fundamental comes in a round shape for Chinese: the dining table, the rice bowl, the bread buns, and let’s not forget the mighty coins. The idea of “ roundness” carries a very special meaning in Chinese culture. Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: Our Favourite Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Children Books Here are some of our favourite children books about the Mid-Autumn Festival and its traditions. People in China still celebrate Chang’e sacrifice during the Moon Festival by offering mooncakes and telling stories about her life, her husband Hou Yi, and the Moon Rabbit. According to tradition, she is still there today, pounding medicine and elixirs for humankind along with her faithful companion the Hare. Chang’e was left alone to defend it, and as a last resort to prevent vile Feng Meng from becoming Immortal, she drank it herself.Ĭhang’e soon floated away from Heart to the moon, never to meet her husband again. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before apprentice Feng Meng heard about the Elixir and broke into his master’s house while he was away to steal it. But incapable of leaving his beloved wife, Hou Yi chose to hide the potion away. The Elixir would have provided Hou Yin with godlike powers and granted him eternal life as an Immortal. His brave actions were rewarded by The Queen Mother of the West (Xi Wang Mu) with one dose of the Elixir of Long Life she brewed in her heavenly orchard. The legend tells us about Chang’e, the faithful wife of Hou Yi the archer that saved humanity by shooting down all but one of the Ten Suns that were scorching the earth. Many Chinese believe that you can see a hare on the moon, pounding in a pestle the Elixir of Long life for Chang’E, the Moon Goddess of Immortality.
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