Here are some of the stories, traditions and customs that differentiate the ways various countries in Asia celebrate the holiday.
China
In China, the holiday dates back to a long time ago from a tragic love story between Houyi (a skilled warrior) and Chang’e (his lover). The warrior was given a magic elixir that would grant him life in the heavens, however, he chose to stay with his lover on earth. He gave her instructions to protect the elixir. One day, Houyi’s enemies broke into their home wanting to steal the elixir. Having no choice, Change’e drank the potion and was sent to live on the moon, so forever she is known now as the goddess of the moon. It is said from there that she watches over and protects Houyi, just as the Chinese celebrate and mourn their loved ones that have passed away. Chang’e is not complete alone on the moon though; she has her lucky jade rabbit to accompany her, which has become a symbol for the holiday in the Chinese culture alongside the full moon. Another lesson to learn here is to cherish your loved ones, and it to spend time with family.
The most famous food during this holiday is mooncakes! There are many different flavors and fillings, both sweet and savory, and they are normally served with hot tea. People gather together to celebrate the importance of loved ones, and use this time to make offerings/worship to gods for a good harvest/year.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s story of the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival is slightly different. The story begins with a man named Chú Cuội. He had in his possession a magic banyan tree that had healing abilities. On his walk home back to his village, he healed an elderly man with a leaf from his tree. He then went to the king to heal his daughter and was then blessed with her hand in marriage. Throughout their marriage, she felt insignificant to him compared to his banyan tree; he gave her specific instructions to take care of the tree when he was not home. One day, she became fed up and intentionally tried to ruin the tree. The ground began to shake and the tree began lifting, going towards the sky. Cuội grabbed the tree and went up to the skies with it as his bewildered wife watched from the ground. He lives with his beloved tree on the moon forever. Children often light lanterns and candles every Mid-Autumn Festival for Cuội to see and find his way back home.
The traditional Vietnamese food during this holiday are mooncakes and hot tea as well! Families gathered together, prayers are said for a successful year, and lanterns are lit for the children! Temples are usually very busy and populated during this time. The most popular clothes of choice for the holiday are the traditional Áo dài.
Singapore
Singapore’s history of the holiday are similar to the ones above as the story of Houyi and Chang’e is the most popular story throughout Asia. Different countries/cultures just have different versions of stories past down from generation to generation. A few ways that Singaporeans celebrate the holiday is to go moon-watching/moon-viewing or perform old-fashioned poetry.
The holiday symbolizes reunion, end of the old harvest season/start of the new, and the full moon is especially revered. The full moon and stories that were past down are also a symbol of fertility and new beginnings. Traditional foods for Singaporeans are of course, the mooncakes and tea! (You can see the pattern here). The children carry lanterns of varying aspects from the traditional paper lanterns to the more modern ones such as the battery-powered lanterns that have music and spin!
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