Everything Hongkongers need to know about Mid-Autumn Festival
From supermoons to lantern trends and the messages in mooncakes, all the facts about the second most important traditional Chinese holiday after Lunar New Year
Many cultures have historically associated the full moon with a time of abundance. When our satellite is at its fullest, tides rise higher. In the autumn, when it appears closest to the earth, it’s time for the harvest and thanksgiving.
These days, there’s no need for a lunar clock or an alarm clock. The moon festival is a night to spend with friends and family, knowing you don’t have to get up for work in the morning. In Hong Kong, the festival is also an alternative Valentine’s Day, when couples spend a romantic evening together under the moonlight.
The 15th day of the eighth lunar month, Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important Chinese holiday after Lunar New Year.
Families and friends typically get together for dinner, partly to fuel up for a long night. Popular activities include climbing hills to be closer to the moon, or moon-gazing at beaches or in parks with candles and lanterns.
Victoria Park in Causeway Bay is a large gathering spot for moonbathers, and in recent years the government has tried to stamp out one custom there that’s particularly popular among young children – “wax-boiling”, or playing with lit candles. It’s a messy game that can also result in serious burns requiring hospital treatment.
