Google Doodle Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival 2024
On 17 September 2024, Google celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 with a special Google Doodle. This holiday, also called Tแบฟt Trung Thu in Vietnam and Chuseok in South Korea, has been observed for thousands of years, starting in the 10th century B.C.E. It always takes place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, under the bright harvest moon.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is enjoyed in countries like China, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Since ancient times, people have come together under the full moon to share foods like melons, pomegranates, and sweet pastries.
Mooncakes are a popular treat during this festival, and they even appear in the Google Doodle. These round cakes look like the full moon and can be sweet or savory, filled with ingredients like lotus seed paste, salted egg yolk, fruit, or custard. In many places, homes and streets glow with colorful lanterns, some even floating on water.
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a harvest celebration in Chinese culture. It happens during the full moon on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, usually around mid-September to early October. People believe the moon is at its brightest, symbolizing unity and harvest time.
During the festival, people display lanterns of all shapes and sizes. These lanterns are said to light the path to prosperity and good luck. The most famous food is the mooncake, filled with sweet or savory fillings like lotus seed paste or egg yolk. The festival also honors Changโe, the Moon Goddess in Chinese mythology.
How Do People Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival?
People in East and Southeast Asia celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in many ways. Here are some popular traditions:
- Eating Mooncakes: These special cakes symbolize the full moon and family unity.
- Family Gatherings: Families come together to share meals and celebrate the full moon.
- Moon Gazing: People admire the bright full moon, which symbolizes harmony and peace.
- Lantern Displays: Bright lanterns light up homes, streets, and sometimes float on rivers.
- Prayers for Good Harvest: Many offer prayers to Changโe, the Moon Goddess, asking for a good harvest and prosperity.
- Dragon and Lion Dances: In some areas, people perform lively dragon and lion dances for good luck.
- Cultural Performances: Folk music, dances, and other shows add to the fun.
While each region has its own traditions, the focus on family, the moon, and good fortune ties all the celebrations together.
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