The Moon Festival The Chinese Moon Festival usually takes place on the 15th day of the eight lunar month (in September or October). The Mid-Autumn Festival is held in honour of the Moon Goddess which is believed to have been born on this date.
However, the historical fact about the origin of the festival is still unclear. Some say that the great Han dynasty emperor Wu Di initiated a three-day celebration to worship the autumn moon. Many, however, argue that the festival, in fact, originated around 1368 during the Mongol’s domination of China. The cake was made to hide a secret message of the rebellion to tell people across the country of a large gathering during the eight lunar month. The Mongol army was not aware of the rebellious purpose, they thought that the cakes were an old tradition. They, thus were defeated that night. After a new dynasty named Ming was set up, the practice has been carried on till these days.
Besides these historical facts, there are also many myths and legends, one of these is that of Siang-Ngor (Some says Chang-E) Siang-Ngor was very beautiful. She was the wife of a high-ranking Chinese officer. After taking a magic medicine, she flew up to the moon and lived there. She later became immortal after consuming the immortal water given to her by a certain Goddess in heaven. Siang-Ngor the Moon Goddess was said to be very kind. When the cultivation season arrived, she would pour immortal water to the earth and this brought prosperity to all farmers. To express their gratitude to the Moon Goddess, farmers thus made Khanom go (or sweetmeat) from rice flour as an offering to her on the full moon night of the eight lunar month.
Since chinese festivals usually involve special delicacies to be given as offerings, on this occasion, Moon cake is specially made as an offering. This Chinese delicacy is, however, hardly a cake in the western sense of the world. In Thailand, the art of Chinese style cake was brought to the country by Chinese immigrants almost 100 years ago.
The original Chinese Moon cake included such ingredients as red beans, five types of Chinese nuts and ground lotus seeds and so on. Thailand has its own variations of including durian, chestnut, and persimmon. Additional ingredients may include lotus seeds, salted egg yolk and watermelon seeds.
It is to be noted that the ceremony is usually conducted by women as people believe that the moon is uniquely associated with female diety. Thus, powder and cosmetics are also offered with the hope of bringing beauty and beautiful skin to the entire female family members.
Whatever the scientific progress may be, it will never make any impact on traditional beliefs and festivals which have been passed on from generation to generation.
However, the historical fact about the origin of the festival is still unclear. Some say that the great Han dynasty emperor Wu Di initiated a three-day celebration to worship the autumn moon. Many, however, argue that the festival, in fact, originated around 1368 during the Mongol’s domination of China. The cake was made to hide a secret message of the rebellion to tell people across the country of a large gathering during the eight lunar month. The Mongol army was not aware of the rebellious purpose, they thought that the cakes were an old tradition. They, thus were defeated that night. After a new dynasty named Ming was set up, the practice has been carried on till these days.
Since chinese festivals usually involve special delicacies to be given as offerings, on this occasion, Moon cake is specially made as an offering. This Chinese delicacy is, however, hardly a cake in the western sense of the world. In Thailand, the art of Chinese style cake was brought to the country by Chinese immigrants almost 100 years ago.
It is to be noted that the ceremony is usually conducted by women as people believe that the moon is uniquely associated with female diety. Thus, powder and cosmetics are also offered with the hope of bringing beauty and beautiful skin to the entire female family members.
Whatever the scientific progress may be, it will never make any impact on traditional beliefs and festivals which have been passed on from generation to generation.
