LOTE (Mandarin)

Nihao Everyone,

Exploring the Mid-Autumn Festival in Mandarin Class

As we continue our cultural journey in Mandarin, this term we are learning about one of the most celebrated festivals in Chinese culture—the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节). This festival is a time for family gatherings, moon gazing, and enjoying cherished traditions.

What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Also known as the Moon Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the full moon and the harvest season. It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar, which typically falls in September or October. This year, the festival will be celebrated on 17th September.

Customs and Traditions

During the festival, families gather to give thanks for the harvest, admire the full moon, and share legendary tales like the story of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. People light lanterns, symbols of hope and guidance, and sometimes write riddles on them as part of the celebrations.

Foods We Enjoy

A key highlight of the festival is the mooncake (月饼), a round pastry often filled with sweet lotus seed paste or red bean paste. Some mooncakes also contain a salted egg yolk, representing the moon. In class, we will explore the names of these traditional festival foods in Mandarin, such as mooncakes, and other festive treats.

Stay tuned as our students dive into the rich history of the Mid-Autumn Festival and take part in exciting activity that bring these traditions to life!

Ms. Cheng