Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated in Hong Kong and many East Asian countries, marks the end of the autumn harvest season where farmers celebrate the fruits of their labor. It centers around moon worship and unity, with the full moon symbolizing togetherness. Mooncakes, round pastries with various fillings, are exchanged, and families reunite to celebrate. Lanterns, both traditional and contemporary, play a role in the festivities. The festival reflects deep cultural values and is a time for reflection, unity, and appreciation of nature. It usually falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, which typically lands in September or October in the Gregorian calendar.

As a Malay Malaysian, even though I have Chinese friends, we never really celebrate this festival. The most that we did was to eat mooncakes during this time of the year. But here in Hong Kong, the Mid-Autumn Festival is really celebrated by the people.

Here's what they usually do during the Mid-Autumn Festival:

Moon Worship

Central to the Mid-Autumn Festival is the worship of the moon, which is considered a symbol of unity and completeness. It's believed that the moon is at its brightest and fullest on this night.

Mooncakes

Mooncakes are iconic and integral to the festival. These round pastries filled with various sweet or savory fillings are exchanged as gifts between family members and friends. They come in different flavors and designs, often with intricate imprints on top. They symbolize unity and togetherness.

Family Reunion

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to come together and celebrate. It's common for people to travel back to their hometowns to reunite with loved ones. This reinforces the theme of unity and bonding.

Lanterns

Lanterns are often carried or displayed during the festival. In traditional celebrations, children parade with colorful lanterns in various shapes and sizes. This practice has evolved, and in modern times, beautifully crafted lanterns of all kinds are displayed.

Contemporary Celebrations

While the festival has deep cultural roots, it continues to evolve. In contemporary Hong Kong, you'll find a mix of traditional and modern celebrations. This includes large-scale lantern displays, cultural performances, and even mooncake contests.