The Chinese Moon Festival
The Chinese Moon Festival is famous worldwide and full of legends. This three-day festivity usually happens between the third and the fourth quarter of the year. It is a chance to get together with your family and friends and celebrate a vibrant cultural holiday.
What Is The Chinese Moon Festival?
It is a festival based on the Chinese calendar. Correspondent holidays happen in the East of Asia countries like Japan or Korea during the same time, around mid-September to early October in the Gregorian calendar. All of them have the intent of praising autumn and harvest.
Although the Chinese Moon Festival lasts three days, only one day is considered a public holiday. This date coincides with the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar. Chinese people believe this is the day of the year when the full moon is at its brightest.
This festival is the second most important one, right after the Chinese New Year. It is celebrated like Thanksgiving with families gathering, spending quality time together, and having great meals. The purpose is to celebrate the moon and thank it for the autumn harvests.
The Chinese Moon Festival Legend
Although the holiday is meant to celebrate the harvests there is a more mythical and symbolic meaning to the date.
According to China Culture Tour, the legend tells that ten suns rose a long time ago in the sky. Because of that, crops were scorching and dying. The emperor of heaven then asked Hou Yi, an archer for help. The legendary archer took 9 suns down, letting only one in the sky. Because of his deed, the emperor gave him the immortality elixir. Hou Yi was planning to take the elixir with his wife, Chang E, so they agreed on the 15th of the 8th lunar month.
However, Feng Meng, a wicked man, overheard their conversation and on the settled day, he rendered Chang E. In order to stop Feng’s plan, Hou’s wife drank the whole elixir by herself. She then was lifted up to heaven and chose to stay on the moon because it was closest to the earth.
Typical Customs
Of course one of the main rituals during the festival is to watch the moon with family and friends. It is also common to burn incense during moon-watching. Another usual custom is to have some performances of dragon and tiger dances. These 200-foot-long costumes require over three hundred people to operate.
A very fun ritual is to build different types of fire lanterns made of pumpkins, papers, tiles, etc. Some people like to write messages or riddles inside their flying lanterns for other people who may receive them.
Because of the legend, a very common food in the festival is moon cake. Without it, the festivity is considered incomplete. Every dish made for this day holds a special meaning. Among many types of food, you can find pomelo, crab, and duck. You can also check other typical foods on Moon Festival Blog.
Also, the moon cake is a go-to gift during the festival. It is common to give presents on these days. Typically, other than the cake, you can provide a fruit basket or some drink like tea or osmanthus wine to accompany the food.
Marriages are frequently celebrated during the Chinese Moon Festival due to the belief that the moon goddess, Chang E, extends conjugal bliss, therefore it is auspicious not only to marry but to have matchmaking dances and celebrations. One, for example, involves young women throwing their handkerchiefs. For instance, the young man who catches and returns a woman’s handkerchief has a chance at romance.
The White Jade Rabbit Legend
There is a particular legend that states that there is a white rabbit living on the moon. This rabbit is the moon goddess’ companion. Besides that, he also makes immortality elixirs.
The story says that one of the Jade emperors went in disguise to the forest as a poor starving person and asked the animals for food. All the animals offered something but the bunny thought he could only offer grass. Instead, he decided to offer himself as he entered a fire and sacrifice. The emperor, touched by the rabbit’s actions, saved him and sent him to the moon to be immortal.
This legend gives additional meaning to the festival. The Jade Rabbit represents selflessness, piety, and sacrifice in addition to being adorable, fluffy, and white.
A curiosity is that according to legend, you can see the outline of the Jade Rabbit using a pestle while pounding on the moon.
For more curiosities and details about this tale, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
The Chinese Moon Festival In Vegas
You may find some good places to celebrate the Chinese Moon Festival with your family and friends when in Vegas. However, the true celebration would be enjoying some stargazing and moon-watching with your loved ones.
You can check some of the best spots in Nevada to stargaze on Travel Nevada. According to the website, Nevada has the quietest and darkest places in the Lower 48 and this includes areas around Las Vegas.
Top places to stargaze in Vegas:
Pinto Valley Wilderness: This place is highly recommended by locals because it’s far from all the dust and pollution of Las Vegas. There are several hikes and canyons so the beauty is not only up in the sky.
Death Valley National Park: This place is considered one of the best places to stargaze in Vegas. You can often find events organized by the Las Vegas Astronomical Society throughout the year.
Grand Canyon National Park: One of the most famous tourist spots in Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon also hosts night stargazing events like star parties. It was also awarded Provisional Dark Sky Status by the International Dark Sky Association.
Although you can go further to these quiet and distant places, it is also possible to watch the moon on one of the fantastic restaurants, resorts, or rooftops in Vegas. To any of these, whether in the city or not, you should make it a full event to experience the best from Vegas on this important night. Get a quote with us at Vegas VIP Limo and don’t worry about your transportation. We will guarantee quality, comfort, and luxury to you and all your family and friends with our sort of chauffeured transportation.