Mid-Autumn Festival

Welcome to this edition of China Lifestyle Journeys, the series that brings you chats, discussions and insights on all aspects of Chinese living. We will cover festivals, food, traditions, customs and much, much more. I’m your host Jocelyn… and I’m Mat, just an English guy with lots of questions.

So, Mat, what’s your big question today?

(Mat) Hello and welcome again to another episode of China Lifestyle Journeys. As usual, in today’s episode we will be looking at one unique and interesting aspect of Chinese culture. Now as you can tell from the episode title,today we’re talking about Mid-Autumn festival. Now, personally, I’ve got to admit that I don’t know much about this festival, except that it’s in the autumn (in the middle ofautumn I think – because of the name) – and on this festival – I know that people eat mooncakes. So I guess thatwill be the best place to start with the origins. So Jocelyn, tell me something about the origins of this festival.

(Jocelyn) Sure, Mat. The Mid-Autumn Festival has its originsrooted in1 ancient Chinese traditions and beliefs. It dates back over 2,000 years and is closely tied to agricultural practices and the lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the moon is believed to beat its fullest and brightest2. It was originally a time for people to give thanks for a successful harvest3, and to pray for the good fortune. Over time, it has evolved into a celebration of family reunion and the appreciation of the moon’s beauty. The festival has deep cultural significance and holds a special place in Chinese folklore and traditions.

(Mat) OK, so it’s linked to the lunar calendar, but you just made a point about“the appreciation of the moon’s beauty” – isn’t the moon like the same at any time of year? Is the moon more beautiful during this festival? And you know what’s the significance of the moon in this particular Mid-Autumn Festival?

(Jocelyn) OK, let me explain. While the moon itself may not physically change in its beauty throughout the year, its symbolism and significance during the Mid-Autumn Festival are what make it special. The full moon during this festival is seen as a symbol of unity, completeness, and family reunion. It represents harmony and serves as areminder4 of loved ones who may be far away. The moon’s round shape also signifies prosperity and good luck. During the festival, families and friends gather to admire the moon together, appreciating itsserene5 beauty and using it asa focal point6for storytelling, poetry, and heartfelt wishes7. The moon holds deep cultural and emotional significance, fostering8 a sense of connection and warmth among people.

(Mat) Oh right, I see. Actually you’ve just reminded me. I think I remember a story about the moon, something about a moon goddess, some beautiful goddess who lived in the moon. Does that story have any connection with this festival?

(Jocelyn) Well remembered, Mat. You’re actually right. You’re talking about the popular Chinese legend of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. According tothe ancient legend, Chang’e was a beautiful woman who consumed a specialelixir9, to make her immortal (to live forever), she drank the special elixir and floated up to the moon, where she still lives to this day. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people pay tribute to10 Chang’e by offering her fruits,incense11, and mooncakes. The story of Chang’e adds a touch of12 magical charm andmythology13 to the festival, deepening its cultural significance. It’s a great story that has been passed down through generations and continues to be cherished during the Mid-Autumn Festival.  

(Mat) Ah, mooncakes, finally we get to mooncakes. This is going to be my favourite part of the episode, because we are talking about cakes. Now I’ve had mooncakes on many occasions, and I always think they are quite varied, there are so many differentfillings14. Some I think are delicious, others… not really for me. So before we talk about the fillings, what’s the story behind mooncakes?

(Jocelyn) I think there are many different stories behind mooncakes. Most of these are very old legends. There are some old stories which say that army generals used mooncakes to hide secret messages, they could communicate important military information by sending mooncakes. Other stories tell us of how important people used to send mooncakes to each other with greetings or blessings carved into the top of the cake.

(Mat) OK, so that’s the history. Now let’s talk about mooncakes today. If someone wants to try mooncakes, what do they need to know?

(Jocelyn) Well, if someone wants to try mooncakes, they can expect a delightful variety of flavours, fillings, and textures15. Traditional mooncakes often feature flavours like lotus seed paste16, red bean paste, or mixed nuts. Some mooncakes may also use salted egg yolks17 fora savoury twist18. Modern variations have flavours like green tea, black sesame19, or even fruit-based fillings. There are even chocolate, coffee and ice cream versions. So it’s all about finding the flavour that suits your taste. Again, the texture of mooncakes can vary from soft and smooth to dense and chewy, depending on the type and filling. So it’s probably a good idea to try as many different types as you can, to discover your own personal favourite.   

(Mat) I think that’s an excellent piece of advice. Try as many different cakes as you can. I think that’s a great idea!  

Well, that’s it for today. We hope you enjoyed this episode, thanks for listening. We hope to see you again next time. Until then, goodbye. Stay wise.

Key words and expressions

1. be rooted in sth 根植于…

to be based on something or caused by something  

e.g. Most prejudices are rooted in ignorance. 大多数偏见源于无知。

2. at its fullest and brightest 在最饱满和最明亮时

It refers to the peak or maximum point of something, often used to describe the maximum illumination of light or the highest degree of a particular state or condition.

e.g. The sun was at its fullest and brightest, casting a brilliant golden glow across the landscape. 太阳达到了它最饱满和最明亮的状态，照亮了整个风景。

3. harvest n. [C or U] /ˈhɑːvɪst/ 收获; 收成

the time of year when crops are cut and collected from the fields, or the activity of cutting and collecting them, or the crops that are cut and collected

e.g. We had a good harvest this year. 今年我们收成不错。

4. reminder n. [C] /rɪˈmaɪndər/ 提醒（的话），提示

a written or spoken message that reminds someone to do something

e.g. If he forgot to pay his rent, his landlady would send him a reminder.

如果他忘了付房租，女房东就会去信提醒他。

5. serene adj./səˈriːn/ 宁静的

peaceful and calm; worried by nothing

e.g. She has a lovely serene face. 她有一张可爱娴静的脸庞。

6. a focal point 焦点，中心点

the main center of attention or interest in a particular context

e.g. The bright red sculpture in the middle of the art gallery serves as a focal point, drawing visitors’ attention as soon as they enter. 艺术馆中央的鲜红色雕塑充当着焦点，吸引着游客们一进门就注意到它。

7. heartfelt wishes 衷心的祝愿

sincere desires or blessings expressed from the heart

e.g. I send you my heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery.

我送上衷心的祝愿，希望你能尽快康复。

8. foster v./ˈfɒstər/ 培养

to encourage the development or growth of ideas or feelings

e.g. Good teachers strive to foster a love of learning in their students. 优秀的教师努力培养学生对学习的热爱。

9. elixir n. [C] /iˈlɪksər/  灵丹妙药，长生不老药

a substance, usually a liquid, with a magical power to cure, improve, or preserve something

e.g. It’s yet another health product claiming to be the elixir of life.

这又是一种号称灵丹妙药的保健产品，据说有延年益寿之奇效。

10. pay tribute to 赞扬，称赞

to praise someone or something

e.g. The minister paid tribute to the men who had fought the blaze.

部长高度赞扬了奋力扑灭大火的勇士们。

11. incense n. [U] /ˈɪn.sens/ 香

a substance that is burnt to produce a sweet smell, especially as part of a religious ceremony

e.g. an incense burner/stick 香炉／香烛

12. add a touch of添加一丝、一点的成分、特性或品质

to include or introduce a small amount or a slight hint of something, often for the purpose of enhancing or improving it

e.g. She added a touch of cinnamon to the apple pie for extra flavour.

她在苹果派中加了一点肉桂以增添额外的味道。

13. mythology n. [U] /mɪˈθɒlədʒi/ 神话

myths in general

e.g. She’s fascinated by the stories of classical mythology. 她被古典神话故事迷住了。

14. filling n. [C or U] /ˈfɪlɪŋ/ （三明治、蛋糕等的）馅

the layer of food inside a sandwich, cake, etc.

e.g. pies with sweet or savoury fillings 甜味或咸味的馅饼

15. texture n. [C or U] /ˈtekstʃər/ 质地;质感

the quality of something that can be decided by touch; the degree to which something is rough or smooth, or soft or hard

e.g. a smooth/rough/coarse texture 光滑／不平／粗糙的质地

16. lotus seed paste 莲蓉馅儿

17. salted egg yolks 咸蛋黄

18. a savoury twist 咸口儿

introducing a salty or savoury element to enhance or change the flavour of something

拓展：a sweet twist甜口儿

19. black sesame 黑芝麻