Every year, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated by many cultures in Asia. It is an important holiday that has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and dates to China’s emperors who worshiped the moon for a bountiful harvest.
While we used to gather for exciting events and parades, we will have to celebrate differently this year. To give everyone a chance to enjoy the festival at home, the Aquarium of the Pacific is inviting everyone in Long Beach and beyond to celebrate this tradition virtually.
This year will mark the Aquarium of the Pacific’s nineteenth annual Mid-Autumn Festival, so why not come along?!
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th of the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar with a full moon at night. On this day, it is believed that this is when the moon is at its brightest and its fullest size, coinciding with harvest time in the middle of Autumn.
The festival celebrates three fundamental concepts:
Gathering: Family and friends come together to harvest crops for the festival. It is said that this is when the moon is at its brightest and roundest which means family reunion. This is the main reason why the festival is thought to be so important: it brings family and friends back together in unity.
Thanksgiving: To give thanks for the harvest and to give thanks for the unity this festival brings.
Praying: Asking help for what you may need in the future. This could be from health, wealth, love, longevity, or a good future.
During the festival, lanterns of all sizes and shapes are displayed to welcome prosperity and good luck. Mooncakes are typically eaten during the festival which represents a symbol of a great family. The cakes are round which symbolizes completeness and reunion. The lanterns and mooncakes are the main traditions during the Autumn Festival and have been traditions for centuries.
This festival is still celebrated today because of its deep connection to family, and the gratitude it offers for the hard work we do throughout the year. Traditionally, we thank the moon for the harvest and everything that has been brought to the family over the last year. Keeping traditions like this alive encourage the unity of families and keeping families together, especially in the difficult times we’ve all had.
Celebrate Autumn Festival at Home with Aquarium of the Pacific!
The Aquarium of the Pacific typically holds the Autumn Festival on location, but this we can celebrate right at home. Their festival will be held virtually, inviting you to delve into the arts, culture, and marine environments of Asia during their nineteenth annual Mid-Autumn Festival.
Join us! The free live stream will be available on Saturday, November 14th, 2020 from 9:00 am until 12:45 pm and no tickets or RSVP are required.
