Mid-Autumn Festival is an important holiday of the year, but does everyone know all the secrets of the Mid-Autumn Festival?
Not only Vietnam, countries across Asia such as China, Korea or Japan are also eagerly welcoming the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The name `Mid-Autumn Festival` originates from the lunar calendar, because the year is divided into four seasons, each season is divided into `Mid-Autumn`, `Mid-Autumn` and `Quiet`, so the middle of autumn is called Mid-Autumn Festival.
On this day, the moon is especially full, so Mid-Autumn Festival is also called `Moon Night`, `Autumn Festival`, `Moon Festival`, `Mid-Autumn Festival`, `Sun Worshiping Ceremony`.
Long-standing agricultural countries such as Vietnam, Korea, China, and Japan all choose the August harvest season to organize festivals to celebrate good harvests and give thanks to ancestors for helping the crops grow well.
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On this special occasion, members will eat together and enjoy the fruits after a year of hard harvest.
Since the Tang Dynasty – China’s feudal dynasty, court officials had 3 days off for the Mid-Autumn Festival according to regulations.
Not only China but on these important days, Koreans will also have 3 days off (14, 15 and 16 of the 8th lunar month) to go home and gather with family.
Mid-Autumn Festival cakes have appeared since the Han Dynasty.
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During the Tang Dynasty, it is said that on the night of the full moon, Duong Huyen Tong and Duong Quy Phi had dinner together.
From then on, sesame cake was renamed moon cake or moon cake.
In Korea, traditional rice cake (also known as Songpyeon) is an indispensable dish during the Mid-Autumn Festival (Chuseok) of Koreans.
Traditional cake Songpyeon during the Korean Mid-Autumn Festival.
Songpyeon is steamed on a layer of pine needles, giving it a special aroma.
In Japan, moon cakes are sold all year round. In addition to mochi cakes, the type of cake commonly used in the Japanese Mid-Autumn Festival is Tsukimi dango (literally meaning moon cake), shaped in a round, white color.
Tsukimi dango cake.
The Tang Dynasty was one of the most glorious dynasties in Chinese history – an era that produced many of the greatest poets of the feudal era.
However, later, more and more ordinary people loved it, making moon watching and drinking wine suddenly become much more simple and gentle.
The phrase `Mid-Autumn Festival` was first seen in the book `Le Ky – Nguyet Linh` by `Chu Li`: `The Mid-Autumn Festival is suitable for taking care of the elderly, resting and eating porridge`.
In Korea, Chuseok was originally a talent contest.
