How Is Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrated Across Asian Countries?

Even though Asian countries share a common cultural heritage, each country brings its own unique flavor to the Mid-Autumn Festival. From Vietnam's star-shaped lanterns and sweet mung bean mooncakes to South Korea's lively Chuseok festival, Mid-Autumn across Asia is a vibrant mosaic of traditions. Let's delve deeper with Chus into these diverse and beautiful celebrations!

Vietnam

In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Tết Trung Thu, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It's also called the Festival of Reunion or Children's Festival and is the second-largest holiday after the Lunar New Year. The festival is rich in legends and customs, such as the tales of the beautiful Moon Lady Hằng Nga and the lonely man Cuội, who lives on the moon beside a banyan tree.

Mid-Autumn altar offerings in Vietnam

The essence of Tết Trung Thu in Vietnam is captured in the colorful lanterns and lullabies, symbolizing warmth and family togetherness. It's not just a children's festival; families also eagerly prepare mooncakes, gifts, and festive trays. Vietnamese mooncakes come in a variety of fillings, from the savory mixed nuts to the sweet mung bean and sweet potato. Other treats like baked and sticky rice cakes add to the abundance of the celebration.

China

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a significant harvest festival in China. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month when the moon is at its fullest. Historically, people set up outdoor altars under the moon to offer sacrifices of melons, pomegranates, and other fruits as a sign of gratitude.

Today, the festival is a time for family reunions, enjoying a bountiful dinner, savoring mooncakes, sipping tea, and moon-gazing. The round moon symbolizes unity and harmony, making it a perfect occasion for families to come together.

Mid-Autumn Festival is a major holiday in China

South Korea

In South Korea, the Mid-Autumn Festival is called Chuseok, a three-day holiday that is one of the country's three major festivals. During this time, people return to their hometowns to visit ancestral graves and perform a ritual known as "Beolcho" to tidy up the gravesites.

Unlike China, South Korea doesn't have a tradition of making mooncakes. Instead, they enjoy rice cakes and rice wine under the moon and participate in traditional games like Ganggangsullae (circle dance).

Mid-Autumn offering table in South Korea

Japan

Japan celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival as Tsukimi or Otsukimi, meaning "moon viewing." Held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, it's a time for Japanese people to express gratitude for a good harvest. While the festival is smaller in scale compared to other Asian countries, it is often celebrated within families.

Japanese people decorate their homes with pampas grass (susuki) to ward off evil spirits. A traditional food for the festival is Tsukimi dango, small round rice cakes. They are often arranged in a pyramid shape with 15 pieces representing the 15th day or 12 pieces representing the 12 months of the year.

Traditional Tsukimi dango for Mid-Autumn Festival in Japan

Singapore

In Singapore, families gather to enjoy tea and mooncakes, exchanging meaningful gift boxes. Beyond traditional mooncakes, the city-state is known for its innovative varieties like Snow Skin Bloody Mary and Cranberry Cheese, adding a creative twist to the festival.

The celebrations peak on the full moon night of the eighth lunar month, with Chinatown streets aglow with lanterns and lights. Families and children carry lanterns of various shapes and sizes in parades, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere.

Malaysia

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Malaysia is deeply influenced by Chinese culture. It is a time for the Chinese community to hold reunions and celebrate. Mooncakes with various flavors are sold everywhere, from traditional shops to major malls. Malaysians often buy mooncakes to gift to family and friends and enjoy them together.

Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in Malaysia by the Chinese community

Thailand

In Thailand, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Prayer Festival. On the full moon night of the eighth lunar month, Thai people hold a ceremony to honor the moon and pray for blessings of peace and prosperity.

Peach-shaped cakes are a must-have on the altar during the festival, symbolizing respect and belief in divine blessings. The Chinese community in Thailand decorates with lanterns, and children walk around with lanterns, adding to the festive mood.

Mid-Autumn Festival in Thailand

Conclusion

In today's fast-paced world, the Mid-Autumn Festival continues to captivate with its profound meaning and charm. May the beautiful values of this festival be cherished and passed down through generations. Besides mooncakes, visit Chus's website to find tea or fruit preserves as perfect gifts for this special day!