**The Origin and Customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival**

The Mid-Autumn Festival， also known as the Moon Festival， is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month， when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. The festival has a history of over 3，000 years and is rooted in ancient Chinese culture.

According to legend， the festival originated during the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BCE)， when people worshipped the moon to pray for good harvests. Over time， it became associated with the story of Chang’e， 无锡宅鼎建筑装饰工程有限公司 the moon goddess. According to the tale， 郑州丘昌建材有限公司 Chang’e drank an immortality potion and flew to the moon，黄冈市臻淼汽车有限公司 leaving her husband Hou Yi behind. This story symbolizes love and separation，碾子山区阔千尿裤湿巾股份有限公司 which are central themes of the festival.

The customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival are rich and meaningful. Families gather together to enjoy a reunion dinner， symbolizing unity and harmony. Eating mooncakes is a key tradition; these round pastries represent the full moon and are filled with various flavors like red bean， lotus seed， or egg yolk. Lanterns are also an important part of the celebration， especially for children， who light and carry them to celebrate the bright moon.

In addition碾子山区阔千尿裤湿巾股份有限公司， people often go outdoors to admire the moon， recite poems， and share stories. The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a time for family reunions but also a celebration of cultural heritage and the beauty of nature. It continues to be an important part of Chinese tradition， bringing people together under the bright moon.