Chinese Mooncake Festival 中秋节

For those of my friends who aren't chinese, this is specially dedicated to you...

Ever seen anyone enjoy playing chinese lanterns, lighting them up with candles, eating kuih (mooncakes) and burning stuff... Those are the things that childrens do when the moon is full on the 15th day of 8th month chinese calender 八月十五.



Well, remembering those innocent days when i use to enjoy lighting up lantern in the compound of my house, some of them burnt, some survived the night. Mom will always save the mooncakes till the night and everyone would just enjoy it together. We use to hang the lanterns on chopsticks to hold it and walk towards the nearby garden. This would be what children love to do - run around the garden with litted lanterns. It's just beautiful.



There are many types of lanterns. I remember making them myself too when i was in primary school. Some made of coloured papers, some using milo tins with nailed holes, some using plastics and wires, with all kinds of shapes and patterns.



My primary school always organises events for the celebration. It is just a simple night with some food, mooncakes, karaoke sessions, and most importantly is 猜灯谜 "cai deng mi" - guessing riddles on the walls. It's commonly riddles related to mandrin words, history and even poetries. Interesting yet always too difficult for me :)



Some other thing that i like about this festival is the story behind it. In short, a girl called Chang Er, took the longevity drink that was meant for the evil emperor and drank it herself. After drinking it, she flew to the moon with her rabbit on her hand... What a tale! There are other stories about this festival which i will not tell it today.



Just some photos to share that inspires to write about this festival. Ever since I came to study in Indonesia, there is no sight of this celebration anymore... Well, I promise I'll have nice mooncakes to show off next year round.