<h3>"When the moon is full, the family is reunited" — this old Chinese saying perfectly captures the warm atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the festival arrives when the moon appears at its roundest and brightest, calling on families to gather and cherish the time spent with one another.<br> <br></h3> <h3>Regarding the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival, its roots can be traced back to the ancient custom of "worshipping the moon". The ancients believed the moon was associated with harvest and good or bad fortune. Every autumn evening ("qiu xi" in Chinese, referring to nights in autumn), they would hold grand ceremonies to worship the Moon God, praying for favorable weather and bountiful grain harvests. This custom evolved gradually over the dynasties. In the Tang Dynasty, activities like admiring the mid-autumn moon and holding feasts became popular, forming the rudiment of a festival enjoyed by all. By the Song Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival was officially established; customs such as eating mooncakes and admiring the full moon were fixed, and the festive atmosphere grew even stronger. Eventually, it developed into one of China’s four major traditional festivals as we know it today.<br> <br></h3> <h3>Children also add vitality to the night. They carry colorful lanterns — some shaped like rabbits (a reference to the Chang’e legend) and others like flowers — and parade through the streets. The glow of the lanterns blends with the moonlight, turning the night into a joyful and dreamlike scene.<br> <br></h3> <h3>Behind the joy lies the legend of Chang’e, a fairy who lives on the Moon Palace with her jade rabbit. This story adds a touch of magic to the festival, making the moon more than just a distant celestial body, but rather a warm, mythical home. Even those who cannot return home will look up at the same full moon and silently send blessings to their loved ones.<br> <br>Today, Chinese communities around the world celebrate this festival. The significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival goes far beyond food and lanterns — it reminds us to slow down, cherish the people we love, and pass down ancient traditions from generation to generation. Under the mid-autumn moon, no matter how far apart we are, every heart is closely connected.</h3>