𩇕𩇕Chinese people love festivals and there are many festivities. Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most popular ones. In fact it is so popular that many places in China designate it as a public holiday. Many historians come up with different versions as to the origin of this festival. It was said that Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival to celebrate the harvest for the year. China has been an agricultural country for thousands of years. After a full year of hard labor, the farmers have to find a way to celebrate after the harvest is done. There is no better month to hold the occasion than August. And what better day than the 15th of August ( lunar calendar ) when the moon is full.
𩇕𩇕The legends, folklores and mythology associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival are many and you can find them under other topics in this special feature. It also plays a part in the Chinese history. While Zhu Yuan-zhang was able to take advantage of the Festival and passed his war messages in the moon cakes, Li Yu was not as fortunate. After surrendering his kingdom to the Emperor of Song , Li was under house arrest in the capital. The beautiful autumn moon can only bring him great grief and he was executive by the Emperor after writing this famous Ci.
𩇕𩇕Moon is a favorite subject for the poets. In this section, you will be able to find a good selection of them. You will also find out other than in poems, moon is often used to name places and scenic spots. Many parents use moon to name their daughters. Many restaurants are named after moon. A good poem can also be attractive to tourists as is the case with this famous poem by Zhang Ji [Chang Chi]:
𩇕𩇕Moon is certainly a marvel to be admired up in the sky. It is clear, bright and brilliant. However, it is also far, distant and cold, not exactly a good place to be lived in, as correctly pointed out by poet Li ShanYin.
𩇕𩇕It is this earth, our countries, our communities, our families, our friends and our loved ones that we should treasure. The great poet Su Shi wrote the following famous Ci that indicate this themes:Everone want to be able to admire the moon and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with his loved ones.
𩇕𩇕English Version
𩇕𩇕Will a moon so bright ever arise again?
𩇕𩇕Drink a cupful of wine and ask of the sky.
𩇕𩇕I don't know where the palace gate of heaven is,
𩇕𩇕Or even the year in which tonight slips by.
𩇕𩇕I want to return riding the whirl-wind! But I
𩇕𩇕Feel afraid that this heaven of jasper and jade
𩇕𩇕Lets in the cold, its palaces rear so high.
𩇕𩇕I shall get up and dance with my own shadow.
𩇕𩇕From life endured among men how far a cry!
𩇕𩇕Round the red pavilion
𩇕𩇕Slanting through the lattices
𩇕𩇕Onto every wakeful eye,
𩇕𩇕Moon, why should you bear a grudge, O why
𩇕𩇕Insist in time of separation so th fill the sky?
𩇕𩇕Men know joy and sorow, parting and reunion;
𩇕𩇕The moon lacks lustre, brightly shines; is al, is less.
𩇕𩇕Perfection was never easily come by.
𩇕𩇕Though miles apart, could men but live for ever
𩇕𩇕Dreaming they shared this moonlight endlessly!
