The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節 – zung1 cau1 zit3) is one of the most celebrated festivals in Cantonese culture and Hong Kong (香港 – hoeng1 gong2). It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, typically in September or October. Let’s take a look at some of the main traditions and elements of this festival!

1. Mooncakes (月餅 – jyut6 beng2): Mooncakes are the quintessential treat for the Mid-Autumn Festival. These round pastries symbolize completeness and family reunion. They come in various flavors such as lotus seed paste (蓮蓉 – lin4 jung4), red bean paste (紅豆 – hung4 dau2), and salted egg yolk (鹹蛋黃 – haam4 daan6 wong4).
2. Lanterns (燈籠 – dang1 lung4): Lanterns are a colorful and integral part of the festival. Children carry brightly colored lanterns, often shaped like animals or characters, during lantern parades. Lanterns are also used to decorate homes and public spaces.
3. Moon Gazing (賞月 – soeng2 jyut6): Families and friends gather outdoors to admire the full moon, which is believed to be the brightest and roundest of the year. This tradition emphasizes unity and harmony.
4. Family Reunions (家庭團圓 – gaa1 ting4 tyun4 jyun4): The festival is a time for family gatherings. Many people travel to be with their loved ones, sharing meals and enjoying each other’s company.
5. Lion Dances (舞獅 – mou5 si1): In Hong Kong, lion dances are often performed during the festival to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. The energetic performances feature vibrant costumes and rhythmic drumming.
6. Traditional Music and Dance (傳統音樂和舞蹈 – cyun4 tung4 jam1 ngok6 wo4 mou5 dou6): Folk music and traditional dances, including the dragon dance (舞龍 – mou5 lung4), are performed in various local celebrations and fairs.
7. Food Offerings (祭品 – zai3 ban2): Families often prepare and offer fruits, such as pomelo (柚子 – jau4 zi2) and apples (蘋果 – ping4 gwo2), to the moon as a gesture of respect and thanks. These fruits symbolize good fortune and health. The family then gathers after dinner to eat these fruits and mooncakes with tea while moon gazing.
8. Poetry and Songs (詩詞和歌曲 – si1 ci4 wo4 go1 kuk1): The festival is also associated with traditional poetry and songs that celebrate the beauty of the moon and the ideals of the festival.
9. Mid-Autumn Festival Fair (中秋節市集 – zung1 cau1 zit3 si5 zap1): Local fairs featuring games, food stalls, and entertainment are common. These fairs offer a festive atmosphere and various activities for families and children.
10. Playing with Lanterns (玩燈籠 – waan2 dang1 lung4): Children often enjoy playing with their lanterns during the festival, which is both a fun activity and a way to participate in the celebration. Though paper lanterns are traditionally used, modern materials such as plastic, flashing lights, and balloons has provided lots of really cute designs for kids in the last few decades. However, a true tradition is using the thick pomelo skin leftover from festival fruit to make lanterns! People from Hong Kong and China have made creative lanterns with whatever they can find, such as plastic bottles or tin cans for their children.

Why the pomelo?

Aside from eating mooncakes with a salty egg yolk in the centre, eating pomelo during Mid-Autumn Festival is also a tradition because its large, round shape resembles the moon, highlighting the importance of reuniting “團圓” (tyun4 jyun4).

In Hong Kong, the pomelo, also known as “沙田柚” (saa1 tin4 jau4), “綠柚” (luk6 jau4), or “祿柚” (luk6 jau4), is believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits. It is well-known that using pomelo leaves (柚葉 – jau4 jip6) in water for cleaning or sprinkling around the house is thought to purify the space, cleanse impurities, and invite wealth and prosperity into the home. The pronunciation of “六” (luk6) is similar to “祿” (luk6), which means luck and career fortunes. In addition, “柚” (jau4) sounds like “有” (jau5), which suggests an abundance of blessings and prosperity. The pomelo’s skin has a special fragrance that helps purify the air. When buying a pomelo, choose one that is oily and glossy, round and stable. Once home, wrap it with a gold ribbon and attach a “福” (fuk1) character, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity

Key Vocabulary!

These traditions and fun facts highlight the richness of the Mid-Autumn Festival and its significance in Cantonese and Hong Kong culture. What are some of the traditions your family does every year?