origin
Origin 1: It evolved slowly from the ancient worship of the moon. In the ancient calendar of our country, each season was divided into three months, namely, Meng Yue, Mid-Moon and Ji Yue, and August of the lunar calendar happened to be the second month of autumn, so it was called "Mid-Autumn", and August 15th of the lunar calendar happened to be half of autumn, so it was called "Mid-Autumn Festival". At first, this day was designated as the festival of offering sacrifices to the moon by ancient emperors, and gradually evolved into the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Origin 2: the Goddess Chang'e flying to the moon's story evolved, which we are most familiar with. First, his descendants shot off nine suns, and then God gave him a medicine to become immortal. He was reluctant to give up his wife (Chang 'e) and gave the medicine to Chang 'e for safekeeping. On August 15th, Chang 'e took the fairy medicine and then went to the moon. As for why Chang 'e took medicine, there are several explanations, which are not shown here. Descendants miss Chang 'e, so on this day every year, Chang 'e's favorite food is always placed in the garden, which later evolved into a custom. It is also said that after people heard that Chang 'e became an immortal, they set up incense tables in succession to pray for the peace of the immortal Chang 'e. Later, every year, it was passed down from generation to generation, and it evolved into a festival. Because it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, people called it "Mid-Autumn Festival".
Origin 3: It evolved from offering sacrifices to the land god. In the farming society, the harvest of crops is very important to farmers, so people often offer sacrifices to the land. In the past, there were sayings of sowing in spring, harvesting in summer, harvesting in autumn and storing in winter. In autumn, farmers would offer sacrifices to the land god. The 15th day of the eighth lunar month is just the harvest time of crops, so it may be a custom that has been inherited from this.
custom
Moon cakes, every Mid-Autumn Festival, moon cakes are essential. They symbolize reunion and completeness, and they are our sustenance for family. On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, relatives and friends give moon cakes to each other, which is a manifestation of family affection and a contact of social relations. On the night of the festival, the family will gather around the incense table and cut moon cakes to eat, and everyone will eat them, which represents that they are part of this family and symbolize the league members.
The mid-autumn festival is also a festival to worship the moon. People will set up incense tables, light incense, put fruits, moon cakes, etc. The incense tables are placed in the courtyard, which expresses the worship of the moon and people's admiration for God.
Appreciating the moon is a beautiful day, initiated by ancient literati and poets. Their poems and works have gradually made this kind of activity become a custom. On this day, it is called perfection for a family to enjoy the moon together, and it will be extremely lonely to enjoy the moon alone. Anyway, on this day, we can't help looking at the moon.