Autumn through its hues and festivals

Completeness of life

People believe the full moon represents completeness of work, life and family. Apart from eating moon cakes, a kind of round baked snack with fillings, the customs associated with the day also include giving offerings to the moon, and admiring the full moon and flowers. Most of the customs evolve around the concept of completeness.

In South China, people light lanterns, which are made from hollowed-out pumpkin, orange or grapefruits, at night to mark the festival, and admire the sweet-scented osmanthus, which can be used to make cakes, pastries and wine.

Many places of historical interest around the country are considered ideal for admiring or worshipping the moon, and a large number of poems and essays describing the beauty and other special characteristics of the moon and the festival have been passed down from ancient times. Poets and authors have used the moon to express their loneliness, nostalgia and homesickness.