Eating snails during the Mid-Autumn Festival is because the shape of the snails is similar to the moon, the meaning of the snails, local customs, etc.
1. The shape of the snail is similar to the moon.
The shape of the snail is similar to the moon. Especially on August 15th, when the moon is the roundest and brightest, people associate the snail with the moon. Connected, thinking that there is a mysterious connection between them. In southern areas such as Guangdong, people regard snail shells as a symbol of the moon, so eating snails also means "eating the moon."
2. The meaning of field snails
In southern China, people believe that the "screw" in "screw cap" and the "stone" in "shiluo" are homophonic to "shiluo". , and "Shiluo" is homophonic with "Shi Lai". Therefore, eating snails means that you can "turn things around" and have good luck. At the same time, the word "snail" in snail is homophonic with the word "lue", so eating snail also means that you can "show your talent a little bit".
3. Local customs
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the traditional festivals in southern China, and eating snails is one of the important customs of this festival. In Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau and other regions, people eat snails during the Mid-Autumn Festival to celebrate. Eating snails has a long history and rich cultural connotation, and has become a food culture in southern China.
Introduction to the customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival:
1. Moon appreciation: On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, people usually go outdoors to admire the moon. The custom of appreciating the moon originated from the ancient moon worship ceremony and gradually evolved into a traditional festival activity. People express their thoughts and blessings by admiring the bright moon.
2. Eating moon cakes: Eating moon cakes is one of the most important customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mooncakes are a traditional Mid-Autumn Festival dessert with a round shape, symbolizing reunion. Mooncakes are usually made with flour, sugar, oil and other ingredients, and there are a variety of fillings, such as five kernels, bean paste, egg yolk and lotus paste.
3. Appreciating osmanthus: Osmanthus is another important element of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Osmanthus is one of the traditional Chinese flowers with a fragrant aroma and auspicious meaning. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people collect osmanthus flowers to make sweet-scented osmanthus cakes, osmanthus wine and other delicacies, as well as place potted osmanthus flowers in their courtyards.
4. Light lanterns: During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will also hang various lanterns in the courtyard or park. Lanterns are one of the traditional Chinese handicrafts, symbolizing reunion and happiness. People will write blessings or auspicious patterns on the lanterns to create a strong festive atmosphere.
5. Chrysanthemum appreciation: Chrysanthemum is one of the flowers in traditional Chinese culture and has a long history of cultivation. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people pick chrysanthemums to make bouquets or baskets and place them indoors or in the courtyard. There are many varieties of chrysanthemums with bright colors. Chrysanthemum viewing has become a traditional activity during the Mid-Autumn Festival.