People in different parts of China
have different ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. But one traditional
custom has definitely remained and is shared by all the Chinese. This is eating
the festive specialty: cakes shaped like the moon.
Moon Cake is the
ubiquitous fare at any celebration of this traditional festival, not only
because of its delicious taste and charming looking, but also for the cultural
and artistic connotation. Nowadays, moon cakes with their various flavors and
delicate packaging actually have become a kind of artwork. People can also get
artistic pleasure while enjoying the food.
Moon cakes are round
pastries that are about an inch in height. Inside, they are filled with lotus
seeds, red bean paste, orange peel, melon seeds, ham, dried flower petals, and
salted duck's egg yolk. The surface of the food is patterned with clouds, the
moon, and the rabbit.
It symbolizes the
reunions of families and couples. The exchanging of gifts during the mid autumn
festival is one of the hospitable custom and lovers would also give moon cakes
as presents to show their passions.
The custom of eating
moon cakes can be dated back to thousand of years ago, boasting a close
relationship with Chinese culture and history. In Chinese ancient literary
history, a considerable number of poets and intellectuals created many classic
poems and articles about the Mid-Autumn Festival and Moon Cakes. In Chinese
fairy tales, there lived on the moon the fairy Chang'er, a wood cutter named Wu
Gang and a jade rabbit which is Chang'er's pet. In the old days, people paid
respect to the fairy Chang'er on the Mid-Autumn
Festival.