· History and Origin of Mid-autumn Festival

Celebration of Mid-autumn festival has a long history. In ancient times, the emperors had the tradition of worshiping the Sun in spring, and the Moon in autumn. Mid-Autumn became an established festival during the Song Dynasty, and has become as popular as the Spring Festival since the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Celebrations have continued ever since and more customs for marking this occasion have been formed. Celebration of Mid-autumn festival has a long history. In ancient times, the emperors had the tradition of worshiping the Sun in spring, and the Moon in autumn.
 
     
   
 
· Legends of Mid-autumn Festival

Almost every traditional Chinese festival has a connection with legends. The most well-known stories of the Mid-Autumn Festival is Chang'e flying to the moon, Jade Rabbit making heavenly medicine, and Wu Gang chopping the cherry bay. Those stories have been passed down from generations to generations alongside the celebrations of the festival itself. Today for young children, listening to the stories is still an important part of their way to celebrate the Moon Festival.
 
     
   
 
· Customs of Mid-autumn Festival

The mid-autumn festival has many traditions and activities in which people express how much their family mean to them, and how much they miss absent members. Gazing at the Moon is an ancient tradition from the Zhou Dynasty when people held ceremonies to welcome the full moon,eating moon cakes while watching the full moon is an important part of the mid-autumn festival in China, and is more like a symbol of family unity. Though different places have different customs to celebrate this special day, people all have common wishes of reunion, happiness, safety, health and harvest.
 
     
   
 
· Mooncakes

Mooncakes are Chinese pastries traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival,one of the three traditional Chinese festivals of the most importance.This festival is for lunar worship and moon watching. Mooncakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy on this occasion and are offered among friends or on family gatherings during this period.Most mooncakes consist of a thin tender skin enveloping a sweet, dense filling. The mooncake may contain one or more whole salted egg yolks in its center to symbolize the full moon. Very rarely, mooncakes are also served steamed or fried.
 
     
   
 
· A Night Mooring By Maple Bridge

Moon's down, crows cry and frost fills all the sky;By maples and boat lights, I sleepless lie.Outside Suzhou Hanshan Temple is in sight;Its ringing bells reach my boat at midnight.
· The Bamboo Lodge
 
   
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