August Moon in September

On the 12th of September this year (three days ago), the Chinese community celebrated the August Moon Festival.

Also called the Mid-Autumn Festival, it is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which is in September or early October in our calendar.

Last year, the event fell on September 22.

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The Moon Festival is one of the most important and celebrated Chinese holidays.

My family being half Chinese (my husband is pure Chinese), we often make time for this festival by enjoying moon cakes and sending them to friends and loved ones.  

Why is this day celebrated? It is the end of the harvest season, and therefore people gather around for thanksgiving with a big feast.  

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The Moon Festival is full of legends told from generation to generation. One of the most popular stories is about Chang Er who flew to the moon, and decided to live there. 

When the full moon rises, families get together to watch this big, round wonder (where Chang Er may be dancing to also celebrate the occasion), eat moon cakes, and sing moon poems.

With the bright moon all aglow up in a cloudless sky, the Chang Er legend, the family and the poems, you can't help thinking that this is really a wonderful, beautiful world as God created it!

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Chinese legends also say that the moon is at its brightest and roundest on this day.

Under this lovely August moon, friendships are made and renewed. For many years, Chinese poets have written about how long-lost loved ones find their way back to us for a reunion.

Sending moon cakes to loved ones and friends on this day is therefore a symbol of renewing old friendships and making new ones.  

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The August Moon Festival is also often called the Women's Festival. It is because the moon symbolizes beauty and elegance as well. 

On this night, legends also have it that little children on earth can actually see a lady on the moon. Considered a magical occasion, the August Moon Festival is a time when children who make wishes to the lady on the moon will find their dreams come true.

This is similar to wishing upon a star, as you might have done when you were little. 

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You may be asking, why is the date moveable? Why call it August moon when it is already September?

Well, the lunar (or Chinese) calendar is different from the calendar you and I are using. 

It is based on cycles of the moon (12 in a year), not on the orbit of the earth around the sun. So in the Chinese calendar, it is only August and not yet September.

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If I could, I would send each of you a moon cake, but since that is not possible, I'll just send you an imaginary one through Big Little People. By writing about it, I am hoping that you and I will remain friends from August Moon Festival to August Moon Festival.

Please visit my website: http://leavesofgrace.blogspot.com or email me at: [email protected] .