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How did it begin?
Moon festival started as a Harvest Thanksgiving celebration. It coincides witht eh harvest season in China.
How did it get its name?
Following the lunar calendar, the eigth month is the middle month in the autumn season, and the fifteenth day is the middle day of the month. Therefore, they called it the middle of the autumn festival.
How was it celebrated?
Initially, only the high officials in Nothern China celebrated this rejoicing occasion during the Sung Dynasty (1700 - 1045 AD). They exchanged gifts of round mirrors to reflect the full moon and dew collecting basins. These symbolic gifts signified complete success in all their undertaking and good health.
Eventually, the common people joined in the celebration with feasting and rejoicing. In Chinese history the moon is more important than the sun. It inspired even the Chinese calendar.
Moon cake significance in the history of China
The Mongols ruled China in the name of Yuan dynasty, figuring from 1206 to 1368. Altogether it was endured for 163 years. They billeted their soldiers in the Chinese households. Around the 14th century the Chinese organized a revolution, they put a secret message in the moon cakes. This was
passed from neighbor to neighbor under the nose of the Mongols. This idea was from Lau Pak Wan (Cantonese), Liu Bo Wen (Mandarin),
The words were 'Autumn Festival, lets revolt, kill Mongols!'
The revolution was a success, the Mongols were driven off China and Ming Dynasty was founded in 1368 by Chu Yuan-Chang.
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