Honouring the Lady in the Moon: The History and Traditions Behind Mid-Autumn Festival

 "May we live long and share the beauty of the moon together, even if we are  hundreds of miles apart." - Su Shi

When travelling throughout Asia during the 8th month in the Han calendar, it'll be impossible for you to miss the abundance of mooncakes filling the stores and bakeries on every street corner – with a throng of people rushing to purchase their favourites before they sell out. These sweet, soft delicacies are irresistible to all who have slipped a tiny morsel into their mouths, and are used as a way to celebrate the harvest that the full moon brings. 

The Legend

Mid-Autumn festival stems from an ancient Chinese legend with centuries of history: the legend of Chang E; a story full of love, courage and sacrifice that teaches a very special moral lesson to all who hear it. Versions of the story and it's characters vary, but overall Chang E is depicted as a heroine like figure who sacrifices (debatable) her mortal life and love, Hou Yi, in order to save others.

Her husband, Hou Yi, had been rewarded with an elixir of immortality having courageously defeated the ten suns that had parched the Earth and killed many. However, he could not bear the thought of leaving his wife, and so, they kept it hidden from the world. Though this effort was in vain, as an envious student soon tried to steal it from their home whilst Hou Yi was out. Knowing she could not overpower the thief, Chang E drank the potion and began her ascent into the sky – finally settling on the full moon that lit the Earth beneath it.

Hou Yi returned home to find his wife missing, yet soon realised that he could see her form in the shadow of the moon and soon realised what had transpired in his home. On this realisation, he began to lay a table under its light with all of his wife's favourite food – including those deliciously sweet mooncakes we know and love today.

Their story is one that inspires families to take the time to appreciate what and who they have in our mortal realm. To show gratitude for all that they have, and to share their love with others under the light of a full moon. As such, traditions have continued from the story of Chang E, as families now gather together – either at home, or in a park where brightly coloured lanterns are lit – where they can dine together and continue the tradition of offering mooncakes to the lady in the moon.

Food

As with all traditional Chinese festivals, food plays a very important role, and each celebration has it's own unique dishes holding representative meanings. Mooncakes, however, are the most traditional of all during the Mid-Autumn festival.

These are the sweetest, yet most calorific cakes you could ever hope to eat. Their delicate pastry, smooth fillings and wonderful flavours will leave you begging for more. It is a very traditional treat that has been popularised over the years and transformed into contrasting variations, ranging from traditional to nu-age:

Five Kernel and Roast Pork

This is as traditional as it gets when it comes to mooncakes in China, and are mostly popular with the senior members of society as they are not as sweet as the others. Filled with a mixture of nuts and seeds (from almonds and walnuts to sesame and pumpkin) and the roast pork meat, it's a savoury cake that will vary ever-so-slightly in taste with each bite.

White Lotus Paste

If you're looking for luxury, this is the mooncake to go for. With it's rich, smooth filling it's one of the more expensive mooncakes to opt for. However, they'r entirely worth it if you've got a bit of a sweet tooth that needs satiating. The egg yolk that often accompanies this mooncake – again, representative of the moon – is a welcome inclusion that gives it a savoury kick.

Red Bean Paste

Red bean paste has become a staple filling for a lot of food in China: dumplings, ice pops and of course mooncakes. Though quite a strong flavour, it's sweet and a nice alternative to the white lotus paste.

Black Sesame

Black sesame is another filling that is also popular in dumplings for its nutty flavour and silky texture. In mooncakes too, this flavour works well.

Nu-Age Mooncakes:

Snow Skin

These cute creations are typically white and served cold, although many places have attempted to add a little colour to the 'flesh' with fruit or vegetable juice. These are similar to the mochi ice creams available, which are covered in a glutinous rice, and can be filled with traditional items like egg yolks and black sesame.

Chocolate

For the chocoholics among you, these are a great new addition to the mooncake range that are usually comprised of a hard chocolate shell and a chocolate fudge-like filling in the centre. They'll add a touch of romance to your Moon Festival celebrations.

Ice Cream

Although the younger generation seem to love this new creation, most would say that ice cream mooncakes are an overpriced gimmick. With a chocolate shell and an ice cream centre, they're no different to your usual, cheap-as-chips, choc ice.