24/09/2026
School Occasional Holiday- 24th September 2026
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival, is a time for family reunions, moon worship, and enjoying traditional foods like mooncakes, with lanterns and cultural activities highlighting celebrations in China and Malaysia.
Timing and Significance
The festival occurs on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, usually in late September or early October. This timing corresponds to the fullest and brightest moon, marking the harvest season in autumn. The festival emphasizes three key cultural themes: family reunion, giving thanks for the harvest, and praying for good fortune and happiness.
It is considered the second most important festival in Chinese culture after Chinese New Year.
Traditional Foods
Mooncakes are the signature dish of the festival. These round pastries, symbolizing unity and completeness, are often filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, nuts, egg yolk, or fruits.
Families exchange and share mooncakes as a sign of love and reunion. Other popular harvest foods include crabs, taro, pumpkins, pomelos, and osmanthus-flavored dishes and wine, which are eaten in their peak season to celebrate abundance.
Cultural Practices
Worshiping the Moon is a core tradition, rooted in legends such as Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, and her husband Hou Yi. Families set a table under the moon with offerings including mooncakes, fruits, and incense, and make wishes for health, longevity, and happiness
The appreciation of the full moon further symbolizes family unity, even if members are physically apart.
Lanterns are widely used during the festival. People make lanterns in various shapes and sizes, carry them at night, release sky lanterns, or display them in public spaces. In some regions, riddles are written on lanterns for entertainment.
Family Gatherings and Celebrations
The festival is traditionally marked by a family reunion dinner, symbolizing closeness and prosperity. During the evening, families gather outdoors or under moonlight to admire the full moon and share mooncakes. In modern times, some also exchange greetings via cards, text messages, or digital red envelopes expressing wishes for happiness and unity
中秋节的起源
中秋节是中国传统节日之一,在农历八月十五日。它最初与古人对月亮和丰收的祭祀、崇拜有关,后来逐渐发展成为象征团圆、感恩和思念的节日。
1. 🌾 起源于古代的月亮崇拜
早在很久以前,中国古人就有在秋季祭月、拜月的习俗。
农历八月正值秋季中期,天气通常较为晴朗,月亮看起来又圆又明,因此古人把这一天视为庆祝秋收、感谢天地的重要日子。
“中秋”这个名称,就是因为它处于秋季的中间:
一年分为春、夏、秋、冬四季
每季有三个月
八月正好是秋季的第二个月
八月十五又是月圆之夜,因此称为**“中秋”**
2. 🏹 与嫦娥奔月的传说有关
后来,中秋节又与著名的嫦娥奔月故事联系起来。
传说后羿得到仙药,嫦娥为了阻止仙药被坏人夺走,吞下仙药后飞到了月宫。后羿思念嫦娥,每年八月十五都会对着月亮摆放食物祭拜。
这个故事使月亮、思念和团圆成为中秋节的重要文化象征。
不过要注意:嫦娥奔月是民间神话传说,并不是中秋节的历史起源本身。
3. 🥮 唐宋以后逐渐成为重要节日
到了唐代,中秋赏月的风气越来越盛。到了宋代,中秋节已经成为非常重要的民间节日,人们会赏月、饮酒、聚会。
后来又逐渐形成了今天熟悉的习俗:
赏月 🌕 + 吃月饼 🥮 + 提灯笼 🏮 + 家人团聚 👨👩👧👦
其中,“月饼”因为圆形,也逐渐成为团圆的象征。
❤️ 中秋节真正代表的意义
今天,中秋节已经不只是一个祭月的节日,更重要的是:
月圆象征团圆,人们借明月寄托对家人、亲友的思念与祝福。
所以即使家人身在不同地方,大家也常说:
“海上生明月,天涯共此时。”
意思是:即使相隔天涯海角,大家仍然可以共同仰望同一轮明月,分享中秋的祝福。
May this special occasion bring happiness, peace and harmony to all students and staff with their families. May the full moon shine brightly upon your homes and may your hearts be filled with warmth, joy and wonderful memories with your loved ones.
Warmest regards
Angela B**g Yan Yan,
Principal of SMK Batu Lintang.
24th September 2026