First, the explanation of the origin of customs: the custom of Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the activities of offering sacrifices to the moon in ancient times. According to legend, in ancient times, in order to worship the moon god and ancestors, people would hold a ceremony to worship the moon on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. These ceremonies usually include sacrifices, dances, singing and other activities to express respect and gratitude to the moon god and ancestors. With the passage of time, these ceremonies gradually evolved into today's Mid-Autumn Festival custom.
In addition, Mid-Autumn Festival is also an important solar term, which marks the beginning of autumn. In the traditional culture of China, autumn is regarded as a harvest season, and people will hold various celebrations in this season to express their yearning and pursuit for a bumper harvest and a better life. Therefore, the Mid-Autumn Festival has also become a festival to celebrate harvest and reunion.
Second, the Mid-Autumn Festival custom case: 1. Enjoy the moon
Appreciating the moon is one of the most important customs in Mid-Autumn Festival. On this day, people will enjoy the moon outdoors or indoors to watch the beautiful moon. Some people will put tables, chairs and candlesticks on the courtyard or balcony, and enjoy the moon, tea and moon cakes at the same time to increase the romantic and festive atmosphere.
Step 2 eat moon cakes
Eating moon cakes is one of the traditional customs of Mid-Autumn Festival. Moon cake is a traditional Chinese pastry, usually made of glutinous rice flour, bean paste, egg yolk and other materials, with a round shape. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will eat moon cakes to celebrate this reunion festival. Eating moon cakes also symbolizes family reunion and harmony.
Step 3 light lanterns
Lighting lanterns is also one of the traditional customs of Mid-Autumn Festival. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will light lanterns outdoors or indoors to increase the festive atmosphere. There are many kinds of lanterns, some are paper, some are colored lanterns, some are gourd lanterns and so on.
Step 4 play with lanterns
Playing with lanterns is one of the traditional customs during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Lantern is a traditional folk art, usually made of bamboo sticks, colored paper, light bulbs and other materials with different shapes. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will play with lanterns outdoors or indoors to increase the festive atmosphere and celebrate this reunion festival.
5. Sacrifice the moon
Sacrificing the moon is one of the traditions of Mid-Autumn Festival custom. In ancient times, in order to worship the moon god and ancestors, people would hold activities to worship the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Now, the sacrifice of the moon is still an important custom activity. In the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the moon, people will offer incense, flowers, fruits and wine to express their respect and gratitude to the moon god and ancestors.
Step 6 enjoy osmanthus flowers
Osmanthus fragrans is in full bloom during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so appreciating Osmanthus fragrans has become a traditional custom activity. Osmanthus fragrans is a kind of flower with strong fragrance, and its fragrance can make people feel happy and comfortable. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will enjoy osmanthus flowers to increase the festive atmosphere and enjoy the beautiful feelings brought by osmanthus flowers.
In a word, Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival full of traditional culture and historical details, which represents people's yearning and pursuit for reunion and a better life. In this festival, people will carry out various customs activities, which are colorful and meaningful, and have become an important part of China culture.
Third, the Mid-Autumn Festival cuisine: The Mid-Autumn Festival cuisine is represented by moon cakes, and there are other traditional cuisines. The following are some common Mid-Autumn Festival cuisines:
1. Moon cake: The most representative food of Mid-Autumn Festival is moon cake, which is a round cake, usually made of glutinous rice flour, bean paste, egg yolk and other materials. It tastes sweet and is an essential food for Mid-Autumn Festival.
2. Grapefruit: Grapefruit is one of the common fruits during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Its flesh is fragrant and juicy, rich in vitamin C, which helps to enhance immunity. In addition, grapefruit peel can also be used to make candied fruit and other foods.
3. Lotus paste cake: Lotus paste cake is a kind of cake made of lotus paste as the main material. It tastes delicate, sweet but not greasy, and is a common dessert during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
4. Osmanthus Jelly: Osmanthus Jelly is a kind of cake made of glutinous rice flour, sweet-scented osmanthus and sugar. It tastes sweet and is one of the traditional delicacies during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
5. Taro Crisp: Taro Crisp is a kind of cake made of taro as the main material. It tastes soft, sweet but not greasy, and it is one of the traditional cuisines during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
In addition to the traditional food mentioned above, there are some special foods in different regions, such as Chaoshan beef jerky in Guangdong, Babao rice in Fujian, chestnut cake in Hunan and so on. In short, the Mid-Autumn Festival is rich and varied, and different regions and families will have different food choices and production methods.