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Every year on the fifteenth day of the Eighth Moon the Mid Autumn Festival is celebrated in China. This festival celebrated in a grandiose manner is one of the popular Chinese celebrations that find its origins in the Tang Dynasty (618AD – 907AD), when the practice of watching the moon had caught the fancy of the Chinese kings. Right from that point of time the practice of watching the moon has continued to be a major event in the Chinese calendar and people participate in this festival with much enthusiasm. On this occasion people go to high places to have a good view of the moon. On the other hand, children carry animal shaped lanterns lit by candles. They carry these lanterns and lit up the dark streets at night thereby leading the way for the adults so that they can pay their respect to the moon. Partaken by children of all caste and creed the lantern festival is a big hit in China and is a major part of the Mid Autumn festival in China.
Dog lanterns, cat lanterns, airplane lanterns, yacht lanterns, speedboat lanterns, lanterns depicting pictures of gods, sharks, fish and lanterns of all shapes and sizes imaginable are sold on this day. Very nominally priced, these lanterns can be bought at the Chinese Emporium, market stalls and Chinese departmental stores.
With the fall of the night the hills of Hong Kong, Victoria Park, the Peak and the beaches start shimmering with the light of the lanterns. A spectacular view to be precise, Hong Kong literally transforms into a land of stars on this occasion.
Apart from moon watching and lighting lanterns, “Mooncakes” comprise a very important aspect of the festivities. The history of Mooncakes dates back to the 14th century. During that time a revolt had broken out against the Mongols and messages of revolt were written on paper and baked into cakes. These cakes were then secretly sent to the revolutionaries. But, in the contemporary Mooncakes you would find a sweet and mushy mixture of ground lotus, mashed beans, sesame seeds and dates.
So if get to watch the Mid Autumn celebrations, one of the popular festivals in China you can be sure to cherish the memory for a long time.
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