The Mid-Autumn Festival

In Chinese dichotomy, the sun is yang (positive, active, or male) and the moon is yin (negative, passive, or female). According to the book Chou Li, the Chou emperors (1122-249 B.C.) had the custom of praying to the moon on the 15th night of the eighth lunar month. In the Ching dynasty, there were a sun altar in eastern Peking and a moon altar in western Peking; at the time of every autumnal equinox, the emperor offered sacrifices and prayed to the moon at the moon altar.

Before switching to the Gregorian calendar officially in 1911, the Chinese had used a lunar calendar since time immemorial; and even today, the Chinese still celebrate their traditional festival mooncake by the lunar calendar. In each lunar month, the first day (the new moon) and the 15th day (the full moon) are major events; and the 15th day of the first month (the Lantern Festival) and the 15th day of the eighth month (Mid-Autumn Festival, September 9th this year on the Gregorian calendar) are the largest celebrations besides the Lunar New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Chinese Cupid is called "the old man under the moon" ( ¤ë¤U¦Ñ¤H ) and uses a red thread to tie a man's and woman's feet together to make them man and wife--be they from hostile families or widely separated places.

The most lunatic mortal in Chinese history could have been the great poet Li Po (A.D. 701-762), who once invited the moon to have a drink with him and his shadow to form a band of three. Li finally drowned in a lake in an effort to catch the moon when he was drunk one night. Other Chinese legends about the moon abound.

Legends of the Moon

Hou Yi ( ¦Z¬ý ) was a great archer and architect, who shot down nine extra suns that had suddenly appeared in the sky and thus kept the earth from being scorched. He also built a palace of jade for the Goddess of the Western Heaven. For this, he was rewarded with a pill containing the elixir of immortality, but with strings attached--he must fast and pray for a year before taking it. His wife, Chang O ( ¹ß®Z ), whose beauty was surpassed only by her curiosity, discovered and swallowed the pill and in no time soared to the moon and became a permanent resident there. Upon reaching the moon, Chang O, in dismay, coughed up the pill, which turned into a jade rabbit that, day and night, pounds out a celestial elixir for the immortals.

Another permanent lunar resident of Chinese origin is Wu Kang ( §d­è ), a shiftless fellow who changed apprenticeships all the time before disappointing his last master, who was an immortal. From him Wu learned to be immortal himself, but he was punished by being required to chop down a cassia tree in the moon, an impossible mission. The cut in the tree heals completely the same day, so Wu Kang is still chopping away for eternity. Some Chinese crave to drink his cassia blossom wine.

The Chinese believe that the moon is at its largest and brightest, and Chang O at her most beautiful, on the 15th night of the eighth lunar month. They are at least half-right, for at that time most of China is in the dry season and the moon looms brightest. It's also cool then, a perfect time to celebrate the harvest which has just concluded; hence, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Harvest Festival. The festival is a time for family reunions to appreciate the moon ( ½à¤ë , shangyue) and eat moon cakes together. Bathed in bright moonshine and with the company of chrysanthemum and cassia blossoms, poets eat crab meat and moon cake, drink tea and wine, and versify the night away.

Moon Cakes

The Chinese custom of eating moon cake was first recorded in the reign of the emperor Hsi Tzung (A.D. 874-889) of the Tang dynasty and became popular in the Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1279) The moon cake is traditionally made in the shape of a full moon, symbolizing union and perfection, is usually about the size of a doughnut, and is stuffed with a variety of fillings such as bean paste, egg yolk, lotus seeds, dates, pineapple, walnuts, almonds, and sesame. The crafty Chu Yuan-chang, founder of the Ming dynasty, instigated a rebellion against the Mongol rulers by concealing a call to revolt in moon cakes, leading to the downfall of the Yuan dynasty.

There are many styles of moon cake in China; the most popular in Taiwan are the Cantonese, Soochow, and Taiwanese styles. The Cantonese moon cake is thicker and heavier, while the Soochow and Taiwanese ones have a crispy skin. In the last couple of years a new breed of refrigerated, unbaked moon cake has been gaining popularity, especially among youngster; and durian, coconut meat, vanilla, tea, and coffer have added as ingredients.

Most Chinese consume moon cakes given to them by relatives, friend, employers, or public relations people.Hence, brands matter. Among the most famous are Kee Wah, Maria's and shin Tung Yang. Moon cakes go best with oolong or jasmine tea.

It takes the moon about 29 1/2 days to revolve around the earth, and the Chinese lunar month is either 29 or 30 days. An extra month(called a leap month) is necessary about every three years. There will be a second eight lunar month in 1995. The 15th of the first eight lunar month is celebrated as the Mid-Autumn Festival, which has been designed a public holiday by the Republic of China government. Have a nice holiday, and remember moon calkes taste best when shared by family members or lovers, or both.

Source: http://www.sinica.edu.tw/tit/festivals/0995_MidAutumn.html

Moon Cakes and Flying Lanterns: Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in New York City

This week we wrote about a lot of Harvest Festivals, but in New York City you can also celebrate the Harvest the traditional Chinese way. The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is the Chinese festival of the Autumnal equinox. Traditionally families go out to admire the big Autumn moon, eat elaborate moon cakes, and light lots of pretty paper lanterns. You can celebrate right along either at one of these events or create your own celebration.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Family Day
Museum of Chinese in America
215 Centre St, Manhattan
Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 10am-5pm
Ages 3 and Up

Join the folks at the Museum of Chinese in America for a day long family festival. Children can listen to traditional Autumn moon stories and legends, make lanterns and shadow puppets. Children's book illustrator Grace Lin will present her book Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, a story that familiarizes children with the foods and customs of the Autumn Festival mooncake by following the story of one family. And older kids can meet author Lenore Look and her book series about Alvin Ho, a second grader who is afraid of everything.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in Chinatown
Sara D Roosevelt Park (Canal and Forsyth Streets)
Sunday, September 19, 1-4pm
All ages

Come to Chinatown to sample moon cakes, play games, see lion dancers and music. There might even be some free gifts. The children's lantern parade will be at 1:30.

Source: http://mommypoppins.com/newyorkcitykids/moon-cakes-and-flying-lanterns-chinese-mid-autumn-festival-in-new-york-city

How to celebrate Mooncake Festival

This joyous occasion is celebrated by farmers at the end of the summer harvesting season. Traditionally on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid autumn moon, and eat mooncakes under the bright full moon together. If they gaze really hard at the moon, they may just see the beauty of Chang’e.

Nowadays, Festival Moon Cakes is also known as Lantern Festival. Visit Chinatown during this festival and you will find that the streets, shops and houses are decorated with lanterns. Children are especially delighted when they get to carry brightly lit lanterns of all shape and sizes.

Mooncakes are also known as "reunion cakes" as family members gather to enjoy this pastry. Usually there will be a family reunion dinner on this day. After dinner, children will be playing with lanterns while adults look on and enjoy the mooncake with casual talk. Some may go attend festival performances in parks or public places. Others may celebrate with colleagues, friends or even strangers. Always remember it's about unity and togetherness.

Mooncake flavours

Roughly the size of a human palm, mooncakes are quite filling. Mooncakes are meant to be cut diagonally in quarters and shared with family and friends. One mooncake can be shared by eight people. Normally one person will take more than a piece of mooncake… trying a few flavours too.

Mooncakes has a thin tender skin enveloping a sweet, dense filling. The mooncake may contain one or two whole salted egg yolks in its center to symbolize the full moon. Traditional mooncakes have the word “longevity” or “harmony” (in Chinese characters) printed on it. Traditional mooncakes flavours are lotus seed paste, red bean paste and five kernels (5 varieties of nuts and seeds mixed in maltose syrup). Nowadays mooncakes flavours are plentiful ranging from green tea, tiramisu, chocolate, durian, peanut, cream cheese to chicken floss just a to name a few. There is even mooncake ice cream from Häagen-Dazs and Baskin Robbins.

Mooncakes are eaten throughout the month before the actual festival day. They make meaningful gifts of unity for family and friends.

Share a mooncake with someone you love, family and friends.

This year Chinese Mid Autumn Festival falls on 22 September 2010.

Next year Chinese Mid Autumn Festival will be on 12 September 2011.

And the following years on these dates:

• 30 September 2012
• 19 September 2013
• 8 September 2014
• 27 September 2015
• 15 September 2016
• 4 October 2017
• 24 September 2018
• 13 September 2019
• 1 October 2020

Source : http://hubpages.com/hub/Chinese-Mooncake-Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival Holiday

Tossing holiday while eat mooncake was anguish, but frustration is a series of work rest, disrupted and rest.

"when the hit of this year's Mid Autumn Festival National Day: 5 days to work, rest one day, then work three days, then rest 3 days, then go to work 6 days, 7 days and then rest, then work 2 days, then rest one day, then 5 days ... you do good work preparations? "Yesterday, this message became the network on a micro-Bo" reproduced King ", this year's Mid-Autumn National Day holiday is also known as users" in the history of the most frustrating holiday ".

9 月 17 日 work, 18 rest, 19 to 21 to work, rest 22 to 26, 27 and 30 to work on October 1 ~ 7, rest, work from 8 to 9, 10, has closed & hellip ; ... more than half of the summer, many people began to arrange Mid-Autumn Festival (Festival moon cakes), National Day holiday, but smart people realize that the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day became a holiday in the history of the most frustrating, and under "part of the State Council General Office on holiday arrangements for 2010 notice ", from September 18 to October 15, days and rest days were" divided "into 8 parts.

Source : http://www.chinarealestatenews.com/news/2010-08-03/69978/

Mid Autumn Festival & Mooncake History

The most popular legend about the origin of the Mid Autumn Festival goes like this:- Once the earth was scorched by ten suns and the people suffered a lot due to this. The crops were parched and the people were plunged into penury. A strong and powerful young man called Hou Yi was quite worried about the entire situation. He ascended the summit of the Kunlun Mountain, exercised his superhuman powers and shot down nine suns one after the other, with his bow and arrow. He also ordered the last sun to rise and set according to a time set by him. Hou Yi was respected and loved by people for his great feat that rescued the lives of many. Lots of people of ideals and integrity came to him to learn martial arts from him. A person named Peng Meng lurked among them.

Hou Yi had a charming and beautiful wife named Chang E whom he loved immensely and with whom he never wanted to part. Once on his way to the Kunlun Mountain , Hou Yi stumbled upon the Empress Wangmu who was touched by his love for his wife, gave him a parcel of elixir, at the intake of which one would ascend immediately to heaven and become a celestial being. However the elixir was only good to make only one person immortal. Hou Yi however hated to part with his wife and asked Chang E to keep the elixir with her for the time being. Chang E kept it in a treasure box and hid it in secret place. But it could not escape the watchful eyes of Peng Meng.

A few days later, when Hou Yi went for hunting, Peng Meng grabbed the opportunity he has been waiting for. He rushed into Chang E's chamber, sword in hand and demanded the elixir. Aware of the fact that she was unable to measure up to the strength of Peng Meng, Change E made a prompt decision at a critical moment. She opened her treasure box, took up the elixir and swallowed it in one gulp. After a moment, she felt light and her body floated off the ground, rose higher and reached the sky. Chang E landed on the moon and became an immortal goddess. Peng meng escaped.

Hou Yi could not believe the misfortune that had befallen him. Overburdened with grief, he looked up at the sky and called out the name of his beloved wife. He noticed that the moon was unusually bright and clear that night and on it there was a swaying shadow that resembled his wife. He tried to chase the moon but the moon eluded him.

Huo Yi began to miss his wife terribly. He had an incense table arranged in the back garden and put fresh fruits and sweet meats on it, that Chang E loved and held a memorial ceremony for her.

When people heard that Chang E has transformed into a celestial being, they made arrangements for incense table in the moonlight and prayed to her for good fortune and peace. This is how the custom of worshipping the moon became popular among the people.

Today couples declare their undying love for each other under the full moon of this mid autumn day. Estranged lovers pray for their reunion.

Another legend concerns Wu Kang, a restless fellow who found it difficult to concentrate on a particular thing. One day he decided that he wanted to be immortal and went to live in the mountains where he met an immortal and asked him to teach him the secrets of immortality. First the immortal taught him about the herbs used to cure sickness. But a few days later his characteristic restlessness surfaced and Wu Kang asked the immortal to teach him chess, but after a short while his enthusiasm again waned. Then Wu Kang was asked to go through books on immortality. As usual, Wu Kang became bored with it in a short while and asked whether they could travel to some new and exciting place. Fed up with Wu Kang's impatience, the master banished him to the Moon Palace commanding him to cut down a huge cassia tree before returning to the earth. Though Wu Kang continued to chop the tree day and night, yet the magical tree restored itself with each blow, and therefore he is there still chopping the tree.

China was ruled by the Mongolian people during the Yuan dynasty (A.D. 1280-1368). Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D. 960 - 1280) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and set to coordinate a secret rebellion. As the Festival moon cakes was drawing near, the leaders of the rebellion ordered the making of special cakes.

At the back of each was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend.

According to the legend of the "Jade Rabbit", three fairy sages transformed themselves into pitiful old men and begged to eat something from the fox, a rabbit and the monkey. The fox and the monkey both had food to give to the old men, but the rabbit who had nothing to offer, offered his own flesh instead, jumping into a blazing fire to cook himself. The sages were so touched by the rabbit's sacrifice that they allowed him live in the Moon Palace where he became the "Jade Rabbit."


SIGNIFICANCE OF MOON CAKE
There is an interesting story behind the popularity of the Mooncake. During the Yuan Dynasty (1280 A.D - 1368 A.D), China was ruled by the Mongols. They were very oppressive rulers and were overthrown by the Chinese. It might sound curious but the fact remains that the mooncakes played a significant role in the rebellion. The Mongols did not eat mooncakes and the Chinese were quick to take advantage of that. They found an innovative way of coordinating the revolt. Leaders of the revolt distributed the mooncakes among the common people under the pretext of celebrating the Emperor's long life. Each mooncake had an outline of the attack baked within its skin. The secret message informed the people to revolt on the 15th of the 8th moon (also the Autumn Moon festival). On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. Since then the mooncakes became a national tradition of China.

Source : http://www.theholidayspot.com/mid_autumn/legends.htm

Golden Jade Light

Name
Golden Jade Light

Description
Get together with friends and family on a bright Mid Autumn festival with this mouthwatering moon cake. The Golden Jade moon cake enhanced with aloe vera gel and bee honey. Item can only be deliver starting 6th September 2010
Moon Cake With Yolk, Aloe Vera Gel And Bee Honey

A Festive Feeling - Singapore’s Mid-Autumn Festival

It was certainly a cunning plan. With 14th century China ruled by the Mongol empire, rebels plotted an uprising but had no way to spread details of their plan. One of them came up with the idea of hiding a message in mooncakes, small thin-crusted pastries filled with lotus bean paste, which were then distributed as part of the annual Mid-Autumn harvest festival. The uprising succeeded and the Mongols were banished from the land.

As with many such folktales, it is quite possible that the Mooncake uprising never really happened. But to this day, Chinese communities around the world remember the story as they enjoy the pastries in the run up to the Mid- Autumn Festival. Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth moon, on October 3 this year, the celebration is even called the Moon Cake Festival in some countries.

Food for Thought
In Singapore, where the majority of the population is of Chinese ancestry, the festival is celebrated with gusto and helped to make my visit last year a memorable one. One of the high points was the free tour organized by the tourist board, which took participants through the lantern-strung streets of Chinatown (Singaporeans also call this the Lantern Festival).

As we walked through crowds buying festive treats in street markets, our informative and amiable guide Bernard filled us in on some of the tales associated with the festival. Most revolve around a woman called Chang’e who drinks an elixir of immortality and becomes the Goddess of the Moon.

The tour was, however, about much more than just the festival. Bernard talked about the changes in Chinatown over the decades and pointed out key features of the architecture, such as the distinctive “five foot way” verandahs that protect pedestrians from the weather.

We also got the chance to taste traditional delicacies. Some, such as pork jerky and egg tarts, are popular throughout the year but it was great to be taken to some of the places which locals consider truly special. The egg tarts, for example, were from a shop called Tong Heng that has been selling them for 90 years. Then, of course, we had the chance to try mooncakes, which I enjoyed along with a cup of green tea. In recent years, nontraditional fillings such as Häagen-Dazs ice cream have become very popular.

Marching On
The guided tours are just a small part of the festivities. One afternoon I stopped in a marquee to watch part of the classic story of the Journey to the West. Under ordinary circumstances, I might not watch an entire Chinese opera—the music could seem very dissonant to outsiders —but it was great to watch the very acrobatic display of martial arts for half an hour. t was certainly a cunning plan. With 14th century China ruled by the Mongol empire, rebels plotted an uprising but had no way to spread details of their plan. One of them came up with the idea of hiding a message in mooncakes, small thin-crusted pastries filled with lotus bean paste, which were then distributed as part of the annual Mid-Autumn harvest festival. The uprising succeeded and the Mongols were banished from the land. As with many such folktales, it is quite possible that the mooncake uprising never really happened. But to this day, Chinese communities around the world remember the story as they enjoy the pastries in the run up to the Mid autumn festival. Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth moon, on October 3 this year, the celebration is even called the Moon Cake Festival in some countries.

The highlight, though, was the lantern parade on the festival night itself. Arriving at Outram Park metro station and not knowing what to expect, I discovered that the event was very welcoming to tourists. For just S$3—which won’t usually buy you very much in Singapore—I received a bag containing a paper lantern kit, candle, mooncake and a few other bits and pieces. The staff at the stand even helped me to put the lantern together after I had fumbled with it for 10 minutes.

At the sound of an air horn, the drummers at the front of the procession began to play and dragon dancing started around them. I followed the crowd along roads closed to traffic and illuminated with images of Chang’e, drawn along by the beat of the drums and entertained by fire-breathers and other performers.

The parade ended at the Clarke Quay, a popular stretch of bars and restaurants. As I waited for fireworks display which would end the event, I reflected that this festival famous for helping to kick out foreign invaders from China now represents an excellent reason to visit Singapore.

Digging Deeper
The festival is a perfect time to explore the history of the city’s Chinese community. The Chinatown Heritage Centre is a great place to start, with lots of informative displays and a recreation of an old shop house showing just how cramped and difficult the conditions were for many Chinese immigrants.

Source : http://www.southeastasia.org/index.php/articles/detail/a-festive-feeling-singapores-mid-autumn-festival/

Other Foods of the Moon Festival

Mid autumn festival always related with Mooncake, but the truth is it is not just the only food when celebrating this event. These are the other foods of the Moon Festival:

Salted Eggs
The humble duck egg becomes a prized commodity come Mid-Autumn. Duck eggs, which are salted, are one of the main ingredients for making moon cakes. Manufacturers of moon cakes will import them in bulk from places like China and Vietnam. However, only the yolk is used. Makes us wonder if anyone has come up with any idea to make use of the discarded egg whites. But nowadays, with the increase of housewives trying their hands at making moon cakes at home, market stalls have come up with the idea of selling just the yolks.

Lotus Seeds / Paste
The same goes for lotus seeds. The seeds are grinded and cooked with other ingredients to form a paste. Lotus paste is the binding element in a traditional moon cake. What differentiates a good piece of moon cake from a poorly made one is mainly the lotus paste. A good paste takes hours upon hours of work to cook to perfection. The finishing result should be a paste that's moist and not too sweet and of a thick consistence.

Piglet Biscuits
Known by the Cantonese as "Jue Zai Bang" (Piglet Biscuits), these are traditionally sold with moon cakes, mainly to attract the kids. Why the baked biscuits are shaped in the form of piglets is anyone's guess, but the colourful plastic baskets they come in sure reminds one of real pigs trapped in rattan baskets, ready for the slaughter. In any case, these piglet biscuits sure bring back the good old memories of childhood.

Pomelo
The word for pomelo in Chinese is homophonous with that for "blessing," and thus the fruit is considered auspicious. Since pomelo season coincides with Mid-Autumn Festival, this sweet fruit has naturally become a part of the festivities.

This prized fruit, resembling a giant grapefruit is distinguished by its pointed top, round bottom, thin skin and honey-sweet taste. Coincidentally, it is also the largest of all citrus fruits. In the olden days, after adults have peeled out the edible fruit, children used to stick candles in the middle of the skin (peeled to resemble an open flower). Mischievous ones may even use them as a hat over the head!

Water Caltrop (Bull's Horn)
The colloquial term for water caltrop in Chinese is "Ling Jiao" (Bull's Horn) for the simple reason because it truly resembles a bull's horn. The thick black shell of this nut has to be hammered to be broken open. Once cracked, it reveals a creamy white nut inside. This peculiar food is only available during the mid-autumn season.

Little Yams
Only sold during the Mid-Autumn Festival. These miniature yams are softer and fluffier than their bigger siblings. It's also one of those foods that families used to eat along with the Bull's Horns and moon cakes. Best eaten steaming hot - peel back the skin and dip the yam into granulated sugar with every mouthful.

Source : http://www.chinatown.com.au/eng/article.asp?masterid=155&articleid=744

Lunar New Year - The Icons

Lunar New Year for Chinese people is celebrated every year in welcoming the new day of a year. There are some icons of this celebration.

Red Packets

Giving Hongbao (Red packets or Red envelopes) during Chinese New Year is another tradition. A Red packet is simply a red envelope with money in it which symbolizes luck and wealth. Red packets are typically handed out to younger generations by their parents, grandparents, relatives, close neighbors and friends. Money given like this may not be refused and the pretty envelope makes the present seem less vulgar. The immediate family give presents to children on New Year's Eve. This is called Ya Sui Qian, meaning "suppressing age money," which is supposed to stop children from getting older. This comes from the belief that everyone becomes one year older on New Year's Day. Red is the lucky color and will bring good luck to the person receiving the present.

Kitchen God's Day

On the 24th day of the last lunar month the Kitchen god returns to heaven to give a report to the Jade Emperor (in Chinese mythology the Jade Emperor is the ruler of heaven) about the family's activities over the past year. This day is marked by acts of appeasement to the Kitchen god so that he will give the Jade Emperor a favourable report.

Traditionally images of the Kitchen god are burned as a symbolic act of departure. Often some gold or silver money will also be burned for travelling expenses. In some households the lips of the Kitchen god are brushed with honey or a sugar solution just before the image is burned - this will increase the likelihood that only sweet things will be said by the Kitchen god. From the 24th the Kitchen god will be absent from his shrine in the kitchen, and during this time it will be cleaned in preparation for his return on New Year's Eve.

Door Gods

During the build up to Chinese New Year Door Gods are placed on the external doors of houses. This is an age of tradition dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD). The Emperor Taizong is said to have fallen ill, and had a dream in which ghosts came to the palace in search for him. He recounted this tale to his officials the next day, and the story quickly spread through the Imperial Court - such matters were not taken lightly. The emperors top two generals, Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong, both of whom had fought to establish the Tang dynasty stood guard outside the emperor's bedroom door.

The emperor slept soundly in the knowledge that he was protected by these two generals, and had no further dreams of the ghosts. However, after a few nights the emperor became concerned for the generals. He ordered that two paintings be made, one of each general. Once completed, the emperor had these hung on the door to his room, and relieved the generals.

This tale soon became widely known, and in their eagerness to share the protection of these "Door Gods" the common people made their own paintings and placed them on their doors. the tradition has continued ever since.


Source : http://www.chinavoc.com/festivals/spring/springf02.htm#packet

See Also : Mooncake, Mid autumn festival

Origin of Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival is one of Chinese celebrations that is celebrated every year. There are many different beliefs about the origin of the Lantern Festival.But one thing for sure is that it had something to do with religious worship.

One legend tells us that it was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven in ancient times. The belief was that the God of Heaven controlled the destiny of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided when to inflict drought,storms, fafmine or pestilence upon human beings.Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unite the country, all subsequent emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people. Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event. In 104 BC,he proclaimed it one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would last throughout the night.

Another legend associates the Lantern Festival with Taoism. Tianguan is the Taoist god responsible for good fortune. His birthday falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It is said that Tianguan likes all types of entertainment. So followers prepare various kinds of activities during which they pray for good fortune.

The third story about the origin of the festival boes like this. Buddhism first entered China during the reign of Emperor Mingdi of the Eastern Han Dynasty. That was in the first century. However, it did not exert any great influence among the Chinese people. one day, Emperor Mingdi had a dream about a gold man in his palace. At the very moment when he was about to ask the mysterious figure who he was, the gold man suddenly rose to the sky and disappeared in the west. The next day, Emperor Mingdi sent a scholar to India on a pilgrimage to locate Buddhist scriptures. After joumeying thousands of miles,the scholar finally returned with the scriptures. Emperor Mingdi ordered that a temple be built to house a statue of Buddha and serve as a repository for the scriptures. Followers believe that the power of Buddha can dispel darkness.

So Emperor Mingdi ordered his subjects to display lighted lanterns during what was to become the Lantern Festival.

Source : http://www.chinavoc.com/festivals/lantern.htm

See Also : Mooncake, Mid autumn festival