Chinese Lantern Festival or Mooncake Festival 2010, 22nd Oct.

Chinese Celebration of the Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Festival or Shang Yuan or Spring Festival falling on the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar Year, takes place under a full moon as the moon is at its roundest at that time of the year.

On the day, family members gather to appreciate the bright full moon, eat moon cakes, and think of their home and family members who live far away.

                                                      Mooncake >

The day's maintain attraction and activity is watching lanterns. Many  lanterns are made to reflect historical Chinese themes, and depict scenes from stories and legends that express traditional values. They are also made to represent the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac and heroic figures.

This year is the year of the Tiger in China, so people make many kinds of tiger shaped lanterns. Children will hold self-made or bought multi-colored lanterns to stroll with their lantern on the streets, and they are extremely excited.

There will be "Guessing lantern riddles" which is an essential part of  the Festival. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns for people to guess. People  enjoy very much the challenge of solving these riddles, and sometimes lantern riddle parties are held.


What's more, those who eat "Tang Yuan" in Chinese has a similar pronunciation with "tuanyuan” meaning reunion. So people eat them to denote reunion, harmony and happiness for the family.

"Tang Yuan" are round balls of sticky rice flour with a variety of fillings from sweet to savory, including black sesame paste, tangerine peel, walnuts, meats, fish and vegetables. Eating "Tang Yuan" symbolize family reunion and unity, essential values of the celebration, and their shape is harmonious with the full moon.

The Lantern Festival or Mooncake festival marks the end of 15 days to celebrate the Spring Festival. After the break, it’s time for starting the fresh next year 2011.

On the day, family members gather to appreciate the bright full moon, they eat moon cakes, and think of their home and family members who live far away.

Happy Mooncake Festival.

Click to play "Moon represent my heart "- song for your listening pleasure, and enjoy!

月亮代表我的心 the moon represent my heart by Teresa Teng.