中秋节起源英文介绍
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. The festival is believed to have originated from ancient Chinese customs and legends.
One legend tells the story of a beautiful lady named Chang'e, who accidentally consumed the elixir of immortality and flew to the moon, where she became a goddess. To commemorate this legend, people gather on this day to admire the moon and celebrate with family and friends.
Another legend associated with the festival is the story of Houyi, a legendary archer who saved the world by shooting down nine out of ten suns that were scorching the earth. As a reward, Houyi was given the elixir of immortality, but his wife, Chang'e, ingested it instead and flew to the moon.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, families come together to enjoy mooncakes, a traditional delicacy that symbolizes reunion and good fortune. These round pastries are usually filled with sweet lotus seed paste or red bean paste and often have a salted egg yolk in the center, representing the full moon. Mooncakes are exchanged as gifts among family members and friends.
In addition to mooncakes, people also enjoy other traditional foods such as pomelos, a type of citrus fruit, and various fruits and nuts. Lanterns are lit and carried during the festivities, adding a colorful and festive atmosphere to the celebration.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only celebrated in China but also in other East Asian countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. It is a time for reunions and expressing gratitude for the abundance of the harvest season.
Overall, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a cherished holiday in Chinese culture, celebrating the legends of Chang'e and Houyi, while also serving as an occasion for families to come together and enjoy time with loved ones under the beautiful moonlit sky.。