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The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Festival of Reunion, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when the moon is traditionally believed to be at its fullest and brightest.
In Chinese culture, the full moon has long been a symbol of reunion, completeness and togetherness. For centuries, people have looked up at the moon and thought of loved ones who may be far away. This tradition of expressing feelings through the moon has been passed down from ancient moon-worshipping rituals to the present day.
The festival gradually took shape during the Tang Dynasty, when moon appreciation became popular, and developed into a nationwide celebration during the Song Dynasty. Today, traditional customs include admiring the moon, enjoying mooncakes, appreciating the fragrance of osmanthus, lighting lanterns and solving lantern riddles.
One of the most famous lines from classical Chinese poetry beautifully captures the spirit of the festival:
“Though we are miles apart, we share the same moon.”
It expresses a timeless wish—that distance may separate us, but never the hearts of those who care for one another.
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