中秋节
Mid-Autumn Festival
zhōngqiū jié
Family reunion celebration held during the full moon of the 8th lunar month, associated with mooncakes.
Context
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated during the full moon of the 8th lunar month. In many families, it is associated with returning home, evening conviviality, and sharing mooncakes.
Common Practices
- Familial dinner and reunions.
- Moon watching (shǎngyuè).
- Exchange and tasting of mooncakes, often given as gifts.
Symbolic Dimension
The roundness of the moon and mooncakes is related to the idea of reunion (tuányuán). This festival is also a strong moment in media, seasonal commerce, and family communication.
Useful Vocabulary
- 中秋节 Zhōngqiū jié : Mid-Autumn Festival
- 月饼 yuèbǐng : mooncake
- 赏月 shǎngyuè : admire the moon
- 团圆 tuányuán : family reunion