Celebration – Tech Troth

Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong: traditions, festivities and delicacies you don’t want to miss

One of the most important occasions in Chinese culture has traditionally been the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mid-Autumn, also called the Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival, is observed on the full moon day, which falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. Every year, the precise day fluctuates due to the differences in the Gregorian and lunar calendars. The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on September 17, 2024.

What was the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival are the subject of several folktales, the most well-known of which being the story of Hou Yi and Chang’e. The legend states that Hou Yi shot down nine of the 10 suns that previously graced the sky to save the earth from being burned. He received an immortality elixir as payment for this valiant act. Chang’e, the wife of Hou Yi, was forced to drink the elixir when an apprentice attempted to steal it.

Chang’e, who is eternal and weightless, rose to the moon, where she lives as the Moon Goddess beside the Jade Rabbit. For this reason, one of the most traditional lanterns is modeled after the rabbit, and the rabbit theme is prevalent throughout Mid-Autumn festivals. Observers of the moon still attempt to discern the silhouettes of Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit on the face of the full moon.

How is Mid-Autumn Festival observed in Hong Kong?

Families utilize the occasion as an opportunity to get together since the full moon symbolizes reunions. Typically, this involves having a family supper that is followed by mooncakes, sticky rice balls, and seasonal fruits.

Of course, taking in the sight of the full moon itself is equally essential. This involves wishing the moon a happy arrival on the eve of Mid-Autumn, looking at it on the festival night, and bidding it farewell the next day. Maybe you’ll be inspired too, since ancient Chinese poets would often wax poetic at the moon! The Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, Victoria Park, Tamar Park, West Kowloon Art Park, and Hong Kong Park are some of the greatest places in the city to see the moon.

Paper lanterns were formerly taught to children to create and decorate, but with so many lantern stores popping up all over the city, it’s far easier to just buy one and walk to the park at night, lighting your path with a lit lantern. Although there are electronic versions that can even play music, you may still purchase the conventional paper version.

Solving puzzles with lanterns is another Mid-Autumn custom. Lanterns were adorned with riddles written on little pieces of paper, which often conveyed blessings of knowledge and prosperity.

What are some Mid-Autumn festivities and events?

The city is filled with lantern displays in the middle of autumn. Parks, the Harbourfront Shared Spaces, the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, Lee Tung Avenue, and other locations are frequently home to these. Don’t be shocked if you see a light display because some of these lanterns have been updated with modern features like LED lights. Visit Victoria Park specifically to see the most expansive Mid-Autumn light festival in the city.

The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance procession is another Hong Kong-only custom associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. The fire dragon dance, which has a huge dragon covered with 12,000 incense sticks, is supposed to have started as a ritualistic activity to keep the neighborhood safe from an epidemic. This unique procession is still maintained by a committed Hakka community and is now listed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage as well as Hong Kong’s list. Pok Fu Lam Village celebrates Fire Dragon Dance on its own as well.

Snackle on Mid-Autumn treats

Mooncakes are without a doubt the most iconic representation of the Mid-Autumn Festival. These round pastries represent harmony and togetherness and are embodied by the full moon. They often have a salted egg yolk center and lotus seed paste within. Bakeries have created a broad range of modern flavors throughout time; choose from frozen mooncakes with snow skin to ones with contents like mochi, tea, coffee, and truffles. Since mooncakes are known to be heavy, slice them into wedges and serve them to your loved ones.

Fruits are another essential meal at this time of year, particularly those with Chinese names or forms associated with good fortune. Stock up on examples such as star fruit and pomelo!

Tong yuen, or sticky rice balls, are the traditional last course of family reunion dinners. The Chinese term for “togetherness,” tuen yuen, contains the character “yuen.” Although they are available in several flavors, the most common ones are peanut or black sesame.

Finally, because osmanthus is thought to hold the secret to longevity, osmanthus wine or tea is sometimes served with mooncakes.

INTERESTING FACT

The day following the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated as a public holiday rather than the festival date itself since the majority of Mid-Autumn celebrations occur at night. The following Monday will be observed as a public holiday if the event occurs on a Sunday. Additionally, MTR and bus services will be extended, operating through the night of the celebration.

A Wedding Ceremony Between India And Pakistan

Indian, Pakistani, Persian, Middle East and many others are simply as important. If the South Asian Wedding Photography ceremony is Indian Hindu Punjabi, Christian Indian, or Muslim, there might be events that occur only in a selected culture and religion, and there might be occasions which are present in both. While weddings in Asia are becoming much less traditional, parents play an important role in arranging the occasion and making monetary selections as a outcome of they are usually paying for it.

A pandit is a Hindu priest who presides over the ceremony and consults astrology to determine probably the most appropriate time and date for the ceremony to happen. If a South Asian couple chooses to marry in the US, this becomes even more taxing. In America, you solely attempt for weekend weddings, however it’s not such as you simply pick a Saturday and ensure the Plaza is available, says Shah. It’s hard to get dates from your clergymen which are just for Saturdays, so many Indian individuals are getting married on the same actual date.

Asian wedding

If you don’t need to put on a Chinese wedding ceremony costume, we love this refined contact. Since many Asian cultures have superstitions around money, it might be a good suggestion to look up the lucky numbers at the wedding ceremony. The number 4 is considered unlucky in South Korea due to it is resemblance to the character for death. It is straightforward to separate the sum that’s divisible by two. Values ending in eight are preferred in China for his or her association with wealth. This dichotomy has led to a discussion in regards to the correct method to give money at a wedding in Asia.

A Nashville Marriage Ceremony

In order to solidify the marriage, the bride’s family offers money, land or different objects to the groom. An Indian reception can have an elevated theatrical aspect to it. Bollywood fashion dances could also be carried out by marriage ceremony party members or visitors. People will join the couple on the dance flooring in the event that they showcase a performative dance themselves.

The reception usually goes till round midnight. Sometimes there is a farewell for the bride and groom, who depart in a fancy car. The newlyweds are sprinkled with red rose petals as they go back down the aisle. Shah says that nearly all Indian people do not present a lot of affection through the marriage ceremony weekend out of respect for elders who may be offended.

I would say I photograph Shia Ismaili and Muslim weddings essentially the most – occasion more than Western weddings. There are many Ismaili weddings within the Houston, as nicely as many vacation spot weddings in Dallas, Austin, and Florida. Traditionally, this event has occurred contained in the Bride’s home, but also can happen exterior of the Bride’s home at a venue large enough to host many individuals. The couple will be photographed by an expert wedding photographer in Houston with their stage setup with all of their friends who came to have fun with them

The Date For The Marriage

Red is too loud of a colour to pull off in bouquets, however you’ll find a way to at all times play around with the bouquet sash. For the correct amount of flair, add a double happiness symbol to it. It will make you’re feeling like you are walking on the purple carpet.

You can make them into cranes, umbrellas, or even cute little buddhas. Incorporating a tea ceremony to involve your mother and father and family members in your wedding may be accomplished both earlier than or in the course of the ceremony. Money presents are anticipated and desired, but our culture forbids us to explicitly spell out what we would like. It’s frequent to provide married couples envelopes of money in Asia. The rules on how a lot to offer depend on who you are and which superstitions you imagine. 3 or 5 handfuls of rice back is taken into account a symbol of prosperity by Indian brides.

Songs would be sung to make the bride cry, which would represent good luck. The mom in legislation would place a gold coin in the bride’s hand. A woman who is in an excellent, joyful marriage would place some henna on the Bride’s arms, adopted by her friends who need to marry soon. There is a efficiency where each side of the household sing and dance. The Chinese tea ceremony is an important custom to carry out at Chinese weddings. The ceremony can either happen at the bride and groom’s homes or at a single location.

Simran And Dhruv Are Married In Florida

While the bride prepares for her grand reveal or kanya aagaman, the bridesmaids, flower girl, and ring bearer all journey down the aisle. During the processional, she shall be escorted by her uncle or oldest male household member and generally is actually carried before being given away. Shah says you are invited to his marriage ceremony after only speaking as soon as. Take a deeper have a look at the traditions you presumably can embrace in your Chinese wedding ceremony.

In some circumstances, the bride and groom will start the reception celebration with a dance. The Joota chupai is a typical Desi marriage ceremony custom. This is where the bride’s side hides the groom’s shoes and asks for cash.

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