Chang e, the fairy lady lived on the moon

    It is not until 1970's that the Americans landed on the moon. But Chinese had done it thousands years ago; obviously it is only a funny joke. Actually, landing on the moon had become a romantic Chinese dream generation by generation. Thus a beautiful Chinese legend goes that a lady went up from the ground after she had secretly eaten her husband's magic drug; for she still missed her family very much, she landed on the moon so as to watch on her home. Accompanied only by a pretty rabbit, she had to live in a cold palace there alone watching the earth.

The moon of the Middle Autumn Festival

    Mid-autumn Festival arrives on the fifteenth day of the eighth month in Lunar Calendar (between the second week of September and the second week of October). Thousands of years ago, Chinese people learned the ups and downs of life have something to do with the wax and wane of the moon. During the whole year, only on this day the moon is fullest and the moonlight is brightest. In Chinese tradition, "round" symbolizes reunion, so it is also a festival of reunion.

 Chang e is looking forward to returning her home

    On the day, Chinese people conventionally meet together with their family members watching the round moon and eating the moon cake. Moon cake is the particular delicacy for the festival. It was originally used as the offering to the God of Moon. In the shape of moon, the cake has delicate carvings on its surface. Fillings include sesame, bean paste, egg yolk and fruits. Today it is also an ideal festival present to friends and relatives.

 the delicious moon cake

    Each pieces of the moon cake will be assigned to each other symbolizing the harmonies of the family. They always find a suitable place in their courtyard or a small pavilion; the table is full of moon cakes, fruits, wines and simple dishes. Sometimes people can play the gentle music or dance, lighting up the blessing sentiments; maybe they could see a lady's figure standing on the bright moon whilst melancholy watching towards here. If someone doesn't return for the family reunion, one piece of the moon cake will be left at home meaning that the family is still missing him very much.