Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong: traditions, festivities and delicacies you don’t want to miss

One of the most important occasions in Chinese culture has traditionally been the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mid-Autumn, also called the Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival, is observed on the full moon day, which falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. Every year, the precise day fluctuates due to the differences in the Gregorian and lunar calendars. The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on September 17, 2024.

Read More: 中秋節到會

Mid-Autumn is a multi-custom celebration. Chinese people traditionally give thanks to the moon and rejoice over their abundant agricultural harvest. It’s also a time to moongaze and offer prayers for good fortune. More significantly, families come together to rejoice being reunited after being separated over the Mid-Autumn season. Continue reading to learn more about the history, customs, and celebrations of the event in Hong Kong.

What was the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival are the subject of several folktales, the most well-known of which being the story of Hou Yi and Chang’e. The legend states that Hou Yi shot down nine of the 10 suns that previously graced the sky to save the earth from being burned. He received an immortality elixir as payment for this valiant act. Chang’e, the wife of Hou Yi, was forced to drink the elixir when an apprentice attempted to steal it.

Chang’e, who is eternal and weightless, rose to the moon, where she lives as the Moon Goddess beside the Jade Rabbit. For this reason, one of the most traditional lanterns is modeled after the rabbit, and the rabbit theme is prevalent throughout Mid-Autumn festivals. Observers of the moon still attempt to discern the silhouettes of Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit on the face of the full moon.

How is Mid-Autumn Festival observed in Hong Kong?

Families utilize the occasion as an opportunity to get together since the full moon symbolizes reunions. Typically, this involves having a family supper that is followed by mooncakes, sticky rice balls, and seasonal fruits.

Of course, taking in the sight of the full moon itself is equally essential. This involves wishing the moon a happy arrival on the eve of Mid-Autumn, looking at it on the festival night, and bidding it farewell the next day. Maybe you’ll be inspired too, since ancient Chinese poets would often wax poetic at the moon! The Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, Victoria Park, Tamar Park, West Kowloon Art Park, and Hong Kong Park are some of the greatest places in the city to see the moon.

Paper lanterns were formerly taught to children to create and decorate, but with so many lantern stores popping up all over the city, it’s far easier to just buy one and walk to the park at night, lighting your path with a lit lantern. Although there are electronic versions that can even play music, you may still purchase the conventional paper version.

Solving puzzles with lanterns is another Mid-Autumn custom. Lanterns were adorned with riddles written on little pieces of paper, which often conveyed blessings of knowledge and prosperity.

What are some Mid-Autumn festivities and events?

The city is filled with lantern displays in the middle of autumn. Parks, the Harbourfront Shared Spaces, the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, Lee Tung Avenue, and other locations are frequently home to these. Don’t be shocked if you see a light display because some of these lanterns have been updated with modern features like LED lights. Visit Victoria Park specifically to see the most expansive Mid-Autumn light festival in the city.

The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance procession is another Hong Kong-only custom associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. The fire dragon dance, which has a huge dragon covered with 12,000 incense sticks, is supposed to have started as a ritualistic activity to keep the neighborhood safe from an epidemic. This unique procession is still maintained by a committed Hakka community and is now listed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage as well as Hong Kong’s list. Pok Fu Lam Village celebrates Fire Dragon Dance on its own as well.

Snackle on Mid-Autumn treats

Mooncakes are without a doubt the most iconic representation of the Mid-Autumn Festival. These round pastries represent harmony and togetherness and are embodied by the full moon. They often have a salted egg yolk center and lotus seed paste within. Bakeries have created a broad range of modern flavors throughout time; choose from frozen mooncakes with snow skin to ones with contents like mochi, tea, coffee, and truffles. Since mooncakes are known to be heavy, slice them into wedges and serve them to your loved ones.

Fruits are another essential meal at this time of year, particularly those with Chinese names or forms associated with good fortune. Stock up on examples such as star fruit and pomelo!

Tong yuen, or sticky rice balls, are the traditional last course of family reunion dinners. The Chinese term for “togetherness,” tuen yuen, contains the character “yuen.” Although they are available in several flavors, the most common ones are peanut or black sesame.

Finally, because osmanthus is thought to hold the secret to longevity, osmanthus wine or tea is sometimes served with mooncakes.

INTERESTING FACT

The day following the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated as a public holiday rather than the festival date itself since the majority of Mid-Autumn celebrations occur at night. The following Monday will be observed as a public holiday if the event occurs on a Sunday. Additionally, MTR and bus services will be extended, operating through the night of the celebration.

There Are 12 Chinese Wedding Traditions

Everyone loves a great dessert, so make your desserts stand out at your marriage ceremony with a singular topping. If you wish to give your invites a classic feel, you can skip the similar old envelope and send it with a candle wax stamped in red. You can choose from quite lots of Chinese characters. If you wish to incorporate some Asian components into your fusion wedding, we have 30 fun ideas for you.

Must have lists and show information to find the latest weddings. British Asian individuals are shooting pre wedding ceremony movies in India. Many ladies get alcohol from shut friends or relatives and drink it in a different room. The hosts will make sure that they can provide for everybody. A venue is the most costly part of a marriage and may value as a lot as $6,000.

Before the wedding day, every tradition has its rituals and traditions. In traditional Indian weddings, bridesmaids and groomsmen do not play plenty of roles. Yes, it’s often Indian, however that doesn’t at all times imply vegetarian or spicy. Many South Asian couples choose to supply non regional choices. Shah says that Indian individuals are all over, in order that they build on not having or not it’s one sort of factor. A lot of our shoppers have turned to Western meals.

They are given a meal ticket that allows them to enter the marriage banquet and the amount given is hidden in a register. Guests who can’t attend can wire money to the newlyweds’ checking account. The custom is for him to offer the couples envelopes of money known in Korean as ui geum. He would be able to share the occasion together with his family and associates, but in addition to offset the costs of the occasion with reciprocated money presents from attendees, if he had a marriage in South Korea. The mom in legislation sent the bride’s mehndi to the bride on the trousseau. A social event with meals, music, dance and good occasions takes place after the event.

Asian wedding

Depending on which ceremony you are attending. A location where couples will have their pictures taken before the wedding is part of it. They assist make the occasion livelier by encouraging the guests to dance. Desi people within the West have adopted this tradition as it adds more value to the occasion.

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The wedding ceremony present giving system has been abused by individuals in power and governments have tried to control gifts to stop corruption. The Kim Young ran Act was put in place in South Korea to restrict how a lot public servants might be given at weddings. The act is tough to implement because a separate entity would have to audit each gift presented on the ceremonies. It can take a very long time to find the best lehenga. The bride and groom’s family may be concerned in the choice.

The groom can wear garments to have fun the Chinese culture. Give your friends beautiful Chinese embroidered fans as a substitute of umbrellas if it is a sizzling summer season day. The two were married in Sweden however Ms. Kim’s father needed them to have a second ceremony in Changwon, South Korea, where he had attended weddings of his friends and colleagues’ kids.

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British Asian weddings are well-known for their loud music and enjoyable dancing. This is an important moment in a bride’s life and tradition expects her to cry. She is likely to be judged by old people if she would not. People are spending more on weddings. It is getting near being a competition of getting one of the best event. When you come back from an Asian marriage ceremony, they will ask how the meals was.

Depending on the number of stalks, bamboo trees can symbolize good luck in Chinese households. Depending on how a lot of a green thumb your friends have, it is an excellent present for friends. Adding a double happiness image to each card is a simple method to do it.

It’s an excellent choice for some other wedding ceremony occasion from Pakistan or India. A couple is embracing in the course of the sand and sky. A young couple are searching to the ocean beneath a blue sky. There is a bouquet on a wooden bench with Afghan Wedding a bride and groom within the background. Renee shared her wedding ceremony story and the way she found the right Chinese bridal hair to enhance her wedding ceremony gown.

If there could be rain, ensure there’s again up area indoors. The venue ought to pay attention to the flame through the ceremony. The ceremony requires flame whether it is moved indoors. Show the venue footage of the datememe size.