It’s time for Mid-Autumn Festival!

6 Sep 2022 

The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming, one of the most commonly shared festivals in East and Southeast Asia. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar when the moon is full. This year it lies on the 10th of September. It marked the end of a long hot summer and bountiful harvests. It’s all about light, so people celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival with lanterns and mooncakes. 

‘Mooncakes’ are a hallmark of Mid-Autumn. Baking in a rounded or squared shape, Mooncakes are the festival treats that people consume during Mid Autumn festival. In the traditional style, mooncakes are filled with lotus bean paste and cured duck egg yolks symbolize unity, completeness, and family harmony. Nowadays, bakeries have invented many other types of fusion mooncakes such as snowy mooncakes and green tea mooncakes to much the individuals’ appetites. 

Mid-Autumn Festival is considered the second most important festival to the Chinese. In China, people would enjoy three days of holiday to celebrate the festival. During this time, people working in different places will travel back to their home town and spend time reuniting with their family members. Those who are staying too far away from their parent’s home usually get together with friends and celebrate the festival with mooncakes, lanterns, and a great feast. 

While the Chinese celebrate this festival more than others, the Japanese, Singaporeans, Vietnamese, and Filipinos also consider this occasion an important time. 

Chuseok, Korean Mid-Autumn Festival, is the most important festival in Korea. During Chuseok in Seoul, you’ll likely find the streets empty. Unlike the one-day holiday in Hong Kong, Chuseok lasts several days before the actual 3-day-public holiday of Chuseok. It enables Koreans who work in different cities to return home for quality family time. 

Great attention is paid to the aesthetics of the exceptional food and snacks. Songpyeon, an iconic Chuseok food, families would gather around and make it together. They are small and chestnut-shaped colorful rice cakes filled with ingredients like red beans, chestnuts, jujubes, powdered sesame, or just brown sugar.

We hope you are in one of these countries during this festive time of the year, and that we’ve given you a bit of insight into what is going on and why it is essential. We’ve only scratched the surface, so let your natural curiosity take over. Ask your local friends to explain their favorite elements of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and you’ll enjoy exploring new cultures. 

At Asian Tigers, we wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival. Enjoy the time with your loved ones! 

If you have any questions about relocating, please feel free to contact your local Asian Tigers office or reach out to us via our online contact form. 

If you are interested in Asian culture, you also want to read: 

1. Expat Living – Adapting to a new culture with local soul food 

2. Moving to Hong Kong: Knowing the holiday of the month

3. 520 Express your Love!