The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a much anticipated annual Chinese celebration held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar coinciding with the full moon shining bright across the night sky.
Deeply rooted in Chinese history and heritage, this event often stands out as a beacon of cultural richness and unity.
The myriad of customs and traditions that grace the Mid-Autumn Festival are heartfelt and filled with meaning, painting a vivid picture of the nation’s collective spirit with the vibrant colours of prosperity and blending reverence for the past with the joy of the present.
This year, Chung Hua Middle School, Kuala Belait honoured the festival with a trove of light-hearted activities that spanned throughout the night.
From the indulgence of mooncakes to heartfelt wishes penned on wishing trees, the Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated with whimsy and a sense of optimism that bookended the night with a mesmerising parade of lights.
A SLICE OF LUNAR DELIGHT
The Mid-Autumn Festival would be incomplete without the mention of mooncakes which symbolise unity and togetherness.
These round sumptuous delicacies, with their golden-brown crusts and rich fillings, come in an assortment of flavours – lotus seed paste, red bean, and salted egg yolk, to name a few, with modern takes featuring more up-to-date tastes such as pandan.
Regardless of taste and shape, families would gather under the night sky to share these delectable treats, savouring not just their taste but the sweetness of being together.
The mooncake’s round shape signifies unity, a sentiment echoed in the coming together of loved ones, generations hand in hand.
THE THRILL OF THE CATCH: FISH SCOOPING
Amidst the festivities, the air is charged with excitement as children and adults alike try their hand at fish-scooping. With delicate, paper-thin nets, participants attempt to capture live fish swimming in shallow pools.
Laughter filled the air, creating a harmony that resonated with the festival’s essence – happiness found in simple pleasures, mirroring the joy of a bountiful harvest.
WISHES ADORN THE NIGHT: WISHING TREES
Strolling through the festival grounds, one of the many highlights was the gathering of people both young and old around enchanting trees decorated with not only lights, but also an array of handmade lanterns as well as ribbons.
These are not mere ornaments however as friends and families gathered to pen down their dreams, hopes, and aspirations on these notes before hanging them on the branches which were adorned with various handmade lanterns.
Each fluttering ribbon and message represents a desire and a testament to the festival’s intrinsic connection with perseverance and emphasises the importance of hope and dreams.
ILLUMINATING THE DARKNESS: LANTERN PROCESSION
While seeming like any other night, the atmosphere at the festival became surreal with the soft glow of lanterns peering and cutting through the darkness as it illuminated the surrounding area.
The lantern procession is a hallmark of the Mid-Autumn Festival, captivating onlookers with its dazzling display of softly lit lights that coalesce into something much larger.
From mythical creatures to delicate flowers that have their roots in tradition, to more modern takes with cartoon characters that are a treat among children, the luminous procession was made even livelier with the addition of the many elaborate, handcrafted lanterns.
Regardless of its shape and design, these paper lanterns serve as a testament to the creativity and artistry embedded in Chinese culture.
THE SERENITY OF CHA DAO: THE WAY OF THE TEA
Amidst the jubilant festivities that were abuzz with brilliant lights and sounds, there were also opportunities during such celebration, to stop and take a moment to appreciate moments of serenity through the practice of Cha Dao, which is often translated as The Way of the Tea.
This ancient art emphasises harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, friends and families gather to share moments of quiet reflection, appreciating the delicate flavours of tea and the simplicity of being in each other’s company.
Cha Dao represents not only the appreciation of tea but also the deeper connection between individuals as well as the reflection and the sharing of stories, both past and present, echoing the festival’s essence of unity and harmony.
Beyond the vibrant colours and joyous celebrations, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of family, a time when generations bridge gaps, when stories are shared, and when love is reaffirmed.
EXPERIENCING THE MID-AUTUMN TO ITS FULLEST
While the Mid-Autumn Festival has its roots deep in China’s history, originating from the ancient practice of moon worship, the festival has since become more than just being associated with the full moon, symbolising reunion and harmony.
In the modern era, the Mid-Autumn Festival reflects the resilience of tradition amidst a changing world but it also embodies the Chinese people’s enduring spirit, embracing both innovation and cultural heritage.
Amidst the radiant glow of lanterns illuminating the night, mooncakes are exchanged, wishes adorn trees, and the joyous laughter of both adults and children fills the evening sky, the Mid-Autumn Festival stands as an annual celebration where tradition harmoniously intertwines with modernity, all beneath the soft illumination of the harvest moon. – Daniel Lim
