Happy Mid-autumn Day

雨韵

The joyous Mid-Autumn Festival,the third and last festival for the living,is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon,around the time of  the autumn equinox.

**Origin
   The customs of the worshipping the moon can be traced back as far as the ancient Xia and Shang Dynasties(2000B.C--1066B.C).Since the Ming(1368-1644A.D)and Qing Dynasties(1644--1911A.D),the customs of Mid-Auntumn Festivalcelebration became unprecedentedly popular .Together with the celebration there appear some special customs in different parts of country,such as burning incense,planting Mid-autumn trees,lighting lanterns on towers and playing fire dragon dances.


**Moon cake
   During the Yuan Dynasty(1280--1368A.D)China was ruled by the Mongoliam people.Leaders from the preceding Sung Dynasty(960--1280A.D)were unhappy at submitting to  foreign rules,and set out to coordinate a rebellion without being discovered,The leaders of the rebellion,knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near,ordered the making of special cakes.Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the goverment.Today,cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend and are called Moon Cakes.

**Different forms of celebration
   People in different parts of china have different ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.In Guangzhou in south China,a huge lantern show is a big attraction for local citizens.thousands of differently shaped lanters are lit,forming a fantastic contrast with the bright moonlight.
   In East China's Zhejiang province,People watch the flood tide of the Qian-tang River during the Mid-Autumn Festival.It is not only a must for local people,but also an attraction for those from other parts of the country.The ebb and flow of tides coincide with the waxing and waning of the moon as it exters a strong gravitational pull.In mid autumn,the sun,earth and moon send out strong gravitational forces upon the seas.

[ 本帖最后由 雨韵 于 2006-9-23 19:19 编辑 ]

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