Mid Autumn

according to the chinese lunar calendar, it's Mid Autumn today when Mid Autumn Festival is celebrated, popularly known as the Mooncake Festival. Generally, families would gather together for dinner.

it is also a time when children run around with colorful lanterns and families meet to eat delicious mooncakes with sweet or savory fillings. it was the only time of the year when children are allowed to stay up late and play with colorful lanterns. some carry colored lanterns in the shape of animals, while others carry traditional round paper lanterns which are my favourite. Sadly, nowadays children buy battery operated plastic lanterns which just doesn't do it.

folklore says that the myth related to the Mooncake Festival involves the immortal Chang Er who lives on the moon. She was very beautiful and people celebrate her beauty during the mooncake festival, when the moon is at its brightest and roundest -on the 15th of eight lunar month.

historically, it is also the 'Moonlit Uprising'. in the 14th century, the Han Chinese overthrew the Mongols in a carefully planned uprising. the success of this uprising lies in these little mooncakes. small pastries with a secret message outlining the plan was hidden inside the pastries and distributed. lantern wielding rebels distributed the pastries at night in a well disguised wedding celebration. as outlined in the secret message, the Han Chinese executed a surprise attack on the Mongols. according to records, the full moon on the Mid Autumn Festival shone brightly on the pathways to guide the rebels through the maze of the palace. so since then, mooncakes and lanterns are used each year to honor the new dynasty and the auspiscious moon.

when i was young, my family and a few close families would meet together on this night. the adults would chat, play mahjong, drink tea and just eat mooncake while we children run around, lighting candles and carrying lanterns till very late (according to a child's mind). it was fun. we looked forward to it and it reminds us of the 2nd most important festival in the chinese lunar calendar.

but now, i realized that besides the commercializing of the festival where moooncakes are sold at exorbitant prices, no one seems to bother as much.

sad indeed.