🌕 Why is mooncake a must during Mid-Autumn Festival? Learn more!

Every year, on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives. This holiday is not only one of the most romantic traditional festivals in the Chinese world, but also a significant moment symbolizing reunion and harmony. As we gaze at the full moon, we often find ourselves with a delicious treat: mooncakes . But have you ever wondered why mooncakes are so essential during the Mid-Autumn Festival? Let's break it down in detail, from its historical and cultural significance to its modern significance.

📜 The history of mooncakes

There are many theories about the origin of mooncakes, the most common ones are as follows:

🏮 Moon worship and offerings

In ancient times, August 15th was the day when the moon was at its fullest and brightest. People would hold moon worship ceremonies, placing cakes and pastries beneath the moon as a symbol of gratitude, blessing, and prayer for a good harvest. These round cakes later evolved into the mooncakes we know today.

⚔️ The legend of the Yuan Dynasty uprising

Another widely known story tells of a late Yuan Dynasty uprising planned by Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen. To spread the message, they hid notes with the date of the uprising inside mooncakes and distributed them to the people. The uprising was successful, and mooncakes became a special symbol of Mid-Autumn Festival, embodying the spirit of resistance and freedom.

🥮 The symbolic meaning of mooncakes

Mooncakes are not just a kind of food, they also have profound cultural connotations:

• Reunion and perfection : The round shape of the mooncake symbolizes family reunion and echoes the full moon.
• Yearning and reliance : In ancient times, people who were far away from each other could not get together, so they would express their longing by sending mooncakes.
• Blessings and auspiciousness : Mooncakes are often printed with words such as "blessing", "longevity", "harmony", and "reunion", which imply auspiciousness and beauty.

🍬 Types and evolution of mooncakes

With the development of regional differences and food culture, there are many types of mooncakes, and almost every place has its own characteristics:

• Cantonese mooncakes : thin skin and rich fillings, common ones include double yolk lotus seed paste, five nuts, red bean paste, etc.
• Su-style mooncakes : The crust is multi-layered, with a soft and fluffy texture and a sweet and salty taste.
• Beijing-style mooncakes : thick crust, sweet filling, and plain appearance.
• Taiwanese mooncakes : mostly filled with mung bean paste or pineapple, with a fresh taste.
• Snow skin mooncake : A modern innovative version that does not require baking and has a cool and soft texture, and is very popular among young people.

It can be said that as mooncakes have evolved from tradition to modernity, not only have their flavors become more diverse, but their packaging has also become more exquisite, and they have even become a must-have choice for gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

🌌 The connection between mooncakes and Mid-Autumn Festival customs

In addition to eating mooncakes, the Mid-Autumn Festival also features customs such as moon-viewing, carrying lanterns, and worshipping the Moon Goddess. Mooncakes play the role of a "bridge of emotions" in these activities:

• Watching the full moon and eating mooncakes : Looking at the full moon while sharing mooncakes symbolizes family gathering together.
• Giving gifts to express one’s thoughts : friends and family give each other mooncakes to express blessings and gratitude.
• Cultural inheritance : Through mooncakes, future generations can feel the warmth and significance of traditional culture.

😋 Editor's thoughts

I think eating mooncakes during Mid-Autumn Festival isn't just about their deliciousness, but also about their meaningfulness. Every time the family sits together, cutting mooncakes and chatting, the atmosphere is incredibly warm. Especially when the mooncakes are cut into small pieces, it's like sharing perfection with everyone—a truly heartwarming experience.

🎉 Summary

Eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival is both a continuation of the ancient custom of moon worship and a celebration of family reunion. They carry historical stories, cultural heritage, and deep family ties. Whether you prefer the traditional lotus seed paste with double yolk or the trendy snowy skin, mooncakes remain an indispensable symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

👉 I'd like to ask everyone: Which mooncake is your favorite? Five-nut mooncake or snowy mooncake?