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2019 Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 13th (Friday). The holiday in China starts from September 13 to 15, 2019. Due to the pleasant autumn weather this is a peak time for travel. The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in many East Asian communities. In China, it's a reunion time for families, just like Thanksgiving, while in Vietnam, it's more like a children's day. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival.
2019年中秋節將於9月13日（周五）慶祝。中國的假期從2019年9月13日至15日。由於秋季天氣宜人，這是旅行的高峰期。許多東亞社區都慶祝中秋節。在中國，這是家庭的團聚時間，就像感恩節一樣，而在越南，這更像是兒童節。中秋節也被稱為中秋節或月餅節。
Mainland China listed the festival as an "intangible cultural heritage" in 2006 and a public holiday in 2008. It is also a public holiday in China's Taiwan and in Hong Kong. In the Vietnamese culture, it is considered the second-most important holiday tradition after Tết.
中國大陸在2006年將該節日列為「非物質文化遺產」，並於2008年將假期列為國家節假假期。這也是中國臺灣和中國香港的公眾假期。在越南文化中，它被認為是繼Tết之後的第二重要的節日傳統。
Due to ancient China's cultural influence, Mid-Autumn Festival spread to other parts of Asia. Mooncakes also appeared in western countries as a form of delicacy.
由於中國古代的文化影響，中秋節蔓延到亞洲其他地區。月餅也出現在西方國家，作為一種美味。
The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner. This traditional time of celebration, the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on Sep 13 this year.
中秋節即將來臨。即中國農曆八月十五，將於今年9月13日慶祝。
In ancient China, the day was considered a harvest (收穫) festival since fruits, vegetables and grain were collected from the fields at this time. It was also a day for relaxation and celebration.
在中國古代，這一天被認為是收穫節日，因為正當豐收時節從田地收穫水果，蔬菜和穀物。寓意豐收的喜悅。
Mooncakes play a central role in the festival. They are a traditional Chinese pastry (麵食), made of wheat flour and sweet stuffings (餡料) such as Chinese dates, sugar and lotus seeds (蓮子). The full moon and moon cakes stand for family reunion (團圓). The Mid-Autumn Festival has always been an occasion (場合) when people remember family and friends who are far away.
月餅在節日中扮演著重要角色。是一種傳統的中國糕點（麵食），由小麥粉和餡料製成，如棗，糖和蓮子。月圓和月餅代表家庭聚會（團圓）。當人們想念遠方的家人和朋友時，中秋節一直寄予思念。
Song Dynasty poet Su Shi wrote in his well-known poem to his brother Su Zhe during Mid-Autumn Festival, 「So let us wish that man, will live long as he can! Though miles apart, we』ll share the beauty she displays (但願人長久，千裡共嬋娟).」
宋代詩人在中秋節用詩歌寫給了他的弟弟，寄予思念之情，雖然相隔數千裡，但我們將寄予美好思念和祝福。
The history behind mooncakes is long a varied. According to legend, a Turpan businessman offered Emperor Taizong of Tang the cakes following his victory against Xiongnu on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. After receiving the cakes, Taizong held up the cake to the moon and compared their shapes. Eventually the cakes became known as 'mooncakes.' After Taizong received the cakes, he began to share them with his advisors and officials, thus beginning the tradition of sharing mooncakes with family and friends.
月餅背後的歷史悠久多版本。根據傳說，吐魯番商人在農曆八月十五日對陣匈奴的勝利後，向唐太宗提供了蛋糕。收到蛋糕後，太宗將蛋糕舉到月亮上並比較它們的形狀。最終這些蛋糕被稱為「月餅」。在太宗收到蛋糕後，他和官員與家人和朋友分享月餅的傳統。
According to another legend, the mooncakes were central to the uprising of the Han Chinese over their Mongol overlords at the end of the Yuan dynasty (1280-1368). The Han Chinese, as the story goes, used the mooncakes to hide the message that the rebellion was to happen on Mid-Autumn Day. The popularity of mooncakes meant that the information was able to disseminate quickly to most of the Han Chinese.
History
歷史
Mid-Autumn Festival is an inherited custom of moon sacrificial ceremonies. The ancient Chinese observed that the movement of the moon had a close relationship with changes of the seasons and agricultural production. Hence, to express their thanks to the moon and celebrate the harvest, they offered a sacrifice to the moon on autumn days.
中秋節是月亮祭祀儀式的繼承習俗。古代中國人觀察到月球運動與季節變化和農業生產密切相關。因此，為了表達他們對月亮的感謝並慶祝收穫，他們在秋天時期的八月十五裡為月亮獻祭。
This custom could be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046 - 256 BC) and was more often practiced by the royal class on the Autumnal Equinox. At that time, the custom had no festival background at all. Later in the Sui (581 - 618 AD) and Tang (618 - 907 AD) dynasties, social prosperity inspired the custom of appreciating the moon on the moon sacrifice ceremony day among common people and the two merged. The people expressed their faith more liberally than the royal class and so they did not strictly hold their activities on the Autumnal Equinox. So August 15th of the Chinese lunar calendar, the closest full moon day to the Autumnal Equinox, turned out to be a better choice and was set as a fixed festival. This happened in the Tang Dynasty. By the time of the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127 AD), Mid-Autumn Festival had already become a widely celebrated folk festival.
這種習俗可以追溯到周朝（公元前1046 - 256年），並且經常由皇室階級在秋分時實行。那個時候，習俗根本沒有節日背景。後來在隋（公元581 - 618年）和唐朝（公元618 - 907年）朝代，社會繁榮激發了普通民眾在月亮祭祀儀式當天欣賞月亮的習俗。人們比王室更自由地表達了他們的信仰，所以他們並沒有嚴格地把他們的活動放在秋分上。因此，中國農曆八月十五日是秋分最近的滿月日，是一個更好的選擇，並被定為一個固定的節日。這發生在唐代。到北宋時期（公元960 - 1127年），中秋節已成為一個廣受歡迎的民間節日。
Romantically speaking, the festival is to commemorate Chang E, who in order to protect her beloved husband's elixir, ate it herself and flew to the moon.
從浪漫美麗的傳說，這個節日是為了紀念嫦娥，為了保護她心愛的丈夫的長生不老藥，她自己吃了它，然後飛向月亮。
Legends
傳奇
In addition to the romantic legend Chang E Flying to the Moon mentioned above, there are many other legends and stories related to this grand festival. The most well-known ones include Jade Rabbit Pounding Medicine, Wu Gang Chopping Laurel Tree, and Zhu Yuanzhang and the Moon Cake Uprising.
除了上面提到的浪漫傳奇嫦娥飛向月亮之外，還有許多與這個盛大節日相關的傳說和故事。最著名的包括玉兔，吳崗斬月，朱元璋和月餅起義。
The Mid-Autumn Festival in China has various legends and lore surrounding its traditions. One of the most popular legends is that of Chang'e and Hou Yi. According to this legend, the world had ten suns that destroyed the crops of the Earth and made people suffer. A Chinese hero known as Hou Yi crafted a bow and shot down all of the suns except one with his arrows.
中國的中秋節有各種各樣的傳說。其中最受歡迎的傳說是嫦娥和后羿。根據這個傳說，世界上有十個太陽摧毀了地球上的莊稼並使人們受苦。 一名被稱為后羿的中國英雄製作了一個弓箭擊落了所有的太陽，除了一個帶箭頭的太陽。
For saving mankind, the Queen of Heaven rewarded Hou Yi with a potion immortality. Hou Yi did not drink the potion because he wanted to stay with his wife, Chang'e. Hou Yi gave the immortality potion to his wife for safe keeping, but she drank it one day when she was attacked. This caused her to become immortal and fly to the moon. People honor Chang'e with moon cakes and offerings of food for good fortune. Other popular Moon Festival legends include the 「Jade Rabbit」 and 「Wu Gang and the Cherry Bay」.
為了拯救人類，天后女王用藥水不朽獎勵后羿。后羿沒有喝藥水，因為他想留在他的妻子嫦娥。后羿將不朽藥水送給他的妻子保管，但有一天她受到襲擊時喝了它。這使她變得不朽並飛向月球。人們用月餅和食物來紀念嫦娥，以獲得好運。其他受歡迎的中秋節傳說包括「玉兔」。
Pic Source：https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/mid-autumn-festival.htm
Customs
文化習俗
On the festival day, family members gather to offer sacrifice to the moon, appreciate the bright full moon, eat moon cakes, and express strong yearnings toward family members and friends who live afar. In addition, there are some other customs like playing lanterns, and dragon and lion dances in some regions. The unique customs of ethnic minorities are interesting as well, such as 「chasing the moon」 of Mongolians, and 「steal vegetables or fruits」 of the Dong people.
在節日當天，家人們齊聚一堂，為月亮獻上祭品，欣賞明亮的滿月，吃月餅，向遠在家中的家人和朋友表達思念。此外，還有其他一些習俗，如燈籠，舞龍舞獅等。少數民族的獨特風俗也很有趣，比如蒙古人的「追月」，以及侗族的「偷菜或水果」。
Top 10 Mid-Autumn Festival Foods In China
中國十大中秋節食品
Photo: Chinese American Family
A mooncake is a delicately-stuffed round cake, symbolizing family reunions and best wishes. It is the most traditional and important food of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The cake is often exchanged as a gift between family and friends during the festival to convey their best wishes. There are all kinds of mooncakes to choose from. What's especially important about mooncakes is their filling. The traditional fillings are sweetened bean paste, jujube paste and nut paste. Nowadays, new fillings are being invented and produced all the time, such as chocolate cream, jam and dried fruit.
月餅是一種精緻的圓形蛋糕，象徵著家庭團聚和美好願望。這是中秋節最傳統，最重要的食物。在節日期間，蛋糕經常作為家人和朋友之間的禮物交換，以表達他們的美好願望。有各種各樣的月餅可供選擇。月餅特別重要的是它們的填充物。傳統的餡料是甜豆沙，棗醬和堅果醬。如今，新的餡料一直在發明和生產，如巧克力奶油，果醬和乾果。
During Mid-Autumn Festival, hairy crab -- rich in protein and amino acids -- is probably one of most sought-after delicacies among Chinese people. Crabs are ready to lay their eggs around the time of the festival, meaning they are at their tastiest right then. A plate of steamed hairy crabs dressed with ginger and vinegar is always featured as the highlight of the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner.
在中秋節期間，富含蛋白質和胺基酸的大閘蟹可能是中國人最受歡迎的美食之一。它們在那時期是最美味的。一盤裝有生薑和醋的蒸螃蟹一直是中秋節團圓飯的亮點。
It's tradition in China to enjoy osmanthus cake during Mid-Autumn Festival. They may be preferred because Mid-Autumn Festival is when the osmanthus flowers are in full bloom. Enjoying the sweet-scented osmanthus cake and wine also represents family reunion and a happy life.
中秋節在中國享用桂花餅是中國的傳統。他們可能是首選，因為中秋節是桂花盛開的時候。享受桂花蛋糕和葡萄酒也代表著家庭團聚和幸福生活。
Every year, the lotus root harvesting season falls around the Mid-Autumn Festival. With the coming of autumn, it's getting cold and windy outside. Lotus root foods contain essential minerals like copper and valuable complex vitamins which are good for increasing the appetite. The steamed lotus root stuffed with glutinous rice and topped with osmanthus-flavored honey signifies a charming and happy life.
每年，蓮藕收穫季節都在中秋節。隨著秋天的到來，外面變得寒冷多風。蓮藕食物含有必需的礦物質，維生素，有助於增加食慾。糯米蒸熟的蓮藕配上桂花味蜂蜜，象徵著幸福的生活。
In Mandarin, "pear" is homophonous with "separate," both being pronounced "li." For this reason, eating a crystal pear during Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes a person's wish to avoid separation and implies their desire for reunion.
在普通話中，「梨」與「分開」是同音的。因此，在中秋節期間吃一顆水晶梨象徵著不分離並願望他們想要團聚。
Watermelon is essential during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It signifies fertility by being full of seeds and its round shape is a symbol of family reunion. In Shaanxi Province, the watermelon gets cut into the shape of a lotus, a symbol of good fortune, during the festival.
西瓜在中秋節期間至關重要。它通過充滿種子來表示生育能力，其圓形形狀是家庭團聚的象徵。在陝西省，西瓜在節日期間被切成蓮花的形狀，象徵著好運。
The tradition of eating taro during Mid-Autumn Festival first started during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). In Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, the word "taro" has the same pronunciation as "luck is inside." Eating them during the festival is believed to dispel any bad luck and bring good luck and wealth throughout the year.
中秋節吃芋頭的傳統始於清朝（1636-1912）。在江蘇和浙江省，「芋頭」一詞的含義與「運氣」相同。在節日期間吃它們被認為可以消除任何厄運，並在一年中帶來好運和財富。
Eating duck is popular during Mid-Autumn Festival because the taste of the duck is very rich during this season. During the festival, people in Fujian Province have a tradition of cooking the duck with a type of taro found throughout the area. The duck is seasoned with osmanthus flowers for the festival dinner table in Jiangsu Province, since osmanthus flowers are in full bloom during the season. In Sichuan Province, people enjoy smoked and baked duck as a popular main course.
在中秋節吃鴨子很受歡迎，因為這個季節鴨子的味道非常豐富。在節日期間，福建省的人們有一種烹飪鴨子的傳統，鴨子用桂花調味。在四川省，人們喜歡煙燻和烤鴨作為受歡迎的主菜。
River Snails are the Mid-Autumn Festival specialty of Guangzhou City. They might look unappetizing and smell unpleasant when raw, but after being cooked with herbs and spices to drive out their putrid odor, the delicacy is an indispensable food on the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner table for the people of Guangzhou. The festival is the best season to eat snails and eating them is believed to help brighten one『s eyesight.
田螺是廣州市的中秋節特產。它們可能看起來沒有吸引力，但是用草藥和香料煮熟以驅除它們的腥味後，美味是廣州人民在中秋節餐桌上不可或缺的食物。這個節日是吃田螺的最佳季節，吃它們被認為有助於提高視力。
The tradition of eating pumpkin during Mid-Autumn Festival started with poor people living south of the Yangtze River. Legend has it that a long time ago, a girl named Huang Hua - who came from a poor family - lived with her gravely ill parents who were unable to feed and clothe themselves. On August 15 on the lunar calendar of one year, she took home two pumpkins and prepared them for her parents, whose health was fully restored after eating the pumpkin. The tradition has been handed down for generations and eating pumpkin on Mid-Autumn Festival night is believed to bring people good health.
中秋節吃南瓜的傳統始於長江以南的窮人。傳說很久以前，一位名叫黃華的女孩 - 來自一個貧窮的家庭 - 和她的父母一起生活。有一年的農曆八月十五，她帶回了兩個南瓜，他的父母在吃完南瓜後健康狀況得到了恢復。這個傳統已經流傳了幾代人，中秋節晚上吃南瓜被認為可以帶給人們身體健康。在文章的最後祝大家中秋節快樂，幸福美滿！
Other foods eaten during the festival are harvest foods, such as crabs, pumpkins, pomeloes, and grapes. People enjoy them at their freshest, most nutritious, and auspicious meanings are particularly associated with round foods.
節日期間吃的其他食物是收穫食物，如螃蟹，南瓜，柚子和葡萄。人們以最新鮮，最有營養，最吉祥的含義享受它們與圓形食物特別相關。
Festival food traditions are also changing. The younger generation have their own ideas about what should be eaten. Most of them don't like mooncakes, and prefer to eat what they like.
節日美食傳統也在發生變化。年輕一代對應該吃什麼有自己的想法。他們中的大多數人不喜歡月餅。
附：10 Popular Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Greetings/Sayings
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
中秋快樂!
Zhōngqiū kuàilè!
Wish you and your family a happy Mid-Autumn Festival
祝你和你的家人中秋快樂
Zhù nǐ hé nǐ de jiārén zhōngqiū kuàilè
Wishing us a long life to share the graceful moonlight, though thousands of miles apart.
但願人長久，千裡共嬋娟
Dàn yuàn rén chángjiǔ, qiānlǐ gòng chánjuān
A bright moon and stars twinkle and shine. Wishing you a merry Mid-Autumn Festival, bliss, and happiness.
皓月閃爍，星光閃耀，中秋佳節，美滿快樂！
Hàoyuè shǎnshuò, xīngguāng shǎnyào, zhōngqiū jiājié, měimǎn kuàilè!
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! May the round moon bring you a happy family and a successful future.
祝福中秋佳節快樂，月圓人圓事事圓滿.
The roundest moon can be seen in the autumn. It is time for reunions. I wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Day and a wonderful life.
月到是秋分外明，又是一年團圓日，祝你節日愉快，身體安康
Wish you a perfect life just like the roundest moon in Mid-Autumn Day.
願你的生活就象這十五的月亮一樣，圓圓滿滿
Happy Mid-Autumn Day! Wish that you go well and have a successful and bright future.
中秋節快樂，萬事如意，心想事成！
I want to make a toast. I Wish that the round moon take my best blessing to you. May you have a happy family and a bright future.
舉杯仰天遙祝：月圓人圓花好，事順業順家興。
I wish that your career and life, just like the round moon on Did-Autumn Day, be bright and perfect.
祝你的事業和生活像那中秋的圓月一樣，亮亮堂堂，圓圓滿滿
Whatever you're doing this Mid-Autumn Festival, make sure you enjoy yourself and eat lots of mooncakes. IIC (Indians In China) wishes you all a very happy mid-autumn holidays.
IIC（印度人在中國）祝你們中秋節快樂。
Please note that we hope more people get the first-hand information, for articles that we have the footnote of the sources on the bottom, IICofficial does not necessarily endorse the views presented in this article. The copyright belongs to the original writer, and we've tried the best to proofread the content.
Source: 英語學習, GuideinChina， publicholidays.cn， www.chinahighlights.com
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