the mid-autumn festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. this is when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, to celebrate the abundance of the summer's harvest. the traditional food of this festival is the mooncake, of which there are many different varieties. haagen dazs even makes ice-cream ones!
the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the two most important holidays here. the other being lunar new year. farmers celebrate the end of the summer harvesting season on this date...i guess it's a parallel to our thanksgiving. traditionally, on this day, family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes together.
unfortunately, it was a rainy, cloudy day yesterday, so there was no moon to see!!! sad monkey. can you imagine? millions of people going outside to look at the beautiful moon to see that there was none?!!?! it's kind of like thanksgiving without a turkey!!!
my other thought was...if this is the second most important holiday here, why was school still in session?!?!! my friend tells me its because the moon comes out at night and school is during the day, :) but i still think a big holiday calls for a day of rest!!! are they trying to teach good work-ethic??? hmmm....
2 comments:
If it is like our Thanksgiving then I think at LEAST a week is needed off!
hey loi,
so good to hear from you the other day.
and yay! i'm on your list. now i get to hear all about what you're doing.
And i asked the same q's too but never really got the answer. i guess only americans would complain :)
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