中秋节
Zhong qiu jie = Mid
Autumn Festival
The Chinese
Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Moon Festival) is a very important
holiday in Chinese culture. It is on the 15th day of the 8th
month of the lunar calendar (27th September in 2015). This takes
place when the moon is the fullest and brightest of the year in China, after
harvest time.
Chinese
people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together with their family and
friends. They eat a special meal that includes round cakes called moon cakes 月饼.
Many legends
surround this festival including one about the Moon lady (Chang E). Chang E
was married to a master archer, Hou Yi, who saved the world from burning by
shooting down nine of ten blazing suns with his bow and arrow.
Hou Yi was
rewarded by being given a magic pill which allowed him to live forever but he
did not eat it. Chang E took the pill one day and it caused her (take a trip!)
and fly to the moon. People say that if you look up at the moon on the night of
Mid-Autumn Festival, you might see her. Some people say if you make a secret
wish to Chang E, she might help you to make it come true.
中秋节
