Exploring the Mid-Autumn Festival in 10 Chinese Characters: Cultural and Linguistic Insights

On September 17, 2024, the traditional Chinese holiday known as the Mid-Autumn Festival will be celebrated. For the entire Chinese nation, it is a time to gaze at the moon and enjoy delicious mooncakes. For those studying Mandarin, it is also a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Chinese customs and traditions.

I have always been fascinated by the intricate connections between Chinese culture and language. The origins of both traditions and words have similar roots, making the comprehension of Chinese customs and habits a bit easier for Mandarin learners. Conversely, a basic knowledge of etymology helps to understand why certain habits and everyday life perceptions exist.

Secret of The Name

The name “Mid-Autumn Festival” is a straightforward translation of the Chinese name for the festival: 中秋节.

#1: “中” (zhōng)

The festival is celebrated close to the autumnal equinox, on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, almost in the middle of the month. Therefore, the first character of its name is “中,” which means “middle.” The ancient written form of 中 resembles a flagpole in the center of a circle.

#2: “秋” (qiū)

The next character, 秋, means “autumn.” In ancient China, farmers would burn the fields in the fall to kill locust eggs and prevent swarms from eating the next year’s crops. Thus, 秋 consists of the characters for grain (禾) and fire (火), reflecting this practice.

Famous Traditions: Moon Gazing and Family Reunion

#3:  “月” (yuè)

One of the most popular traditions during this holiday is gazing at the moon, as the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated during a full moon. The moon holds significant importance for Chinese people, and the character 月 is one of the most commonly used. The ancient form of this character resembled a crescent moon. Later, it came to represent a time unit of 30 days, leading to the 12 months in a year.

The full moon symbolizes family reunion (家团圆, jiā tuányuán). Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival by coming together as families to eat, drink, and be merry is a cherished tradition.

#4: “家” (jiā)

In 家团圆, 家 depicts a house with a pig (豕) inside. In ancient Chinese agricultural society, livestock was a family’s main property, and the pig was the most common livestock.

#5: “团” (tuán)

The ancient form of 团 is related to a three-dimensional enclosure, symbolizing unity and togetherness.

#6: “圆” (yuán)

The last character for 家团圆, 圆, means “circle” and derives from a pictogram of a round enclosure or a round table with food on it, symbolizing completeness and reunion.

During Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, Chinese people often dance.

#7: “舞” (wǔ)

Ancient dancers used hairy ornaments, and the ancient form of 舞 depicted a dancer with hairy tails or dangling animal skins in both hands.

Delicious Food

#8: “饼” (bǐng)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people eat food that looks like the moon. One of the most well-known is the mooncake, a beautifully ornamented round pastry with various fillings. The character 饼 means “cake” or “pastry” and is linked to baking on the stove.

#9: “果” (guǒ)

Autumn is also a time of harvest, so Chinese people traditionally eat seasonal fruits during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The ancient form of 果 resembles fruit growing from a tree.

#10: “食” (shí)

Besides mooncakes and fruits, many other delicious foods are traditionally served during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The character 食 means “food,” and its ancient form depicts a human mouth near a food container.

By understanding these characters and their origins, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the Mid-Autumn Festival and its significance in Chinese culture. Additionally, using the topic-oriented character learning method can further enhance your understanding of Chinese characters. Happy learning, and enjoy the festivities!