Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival 2018: A Time for Family and Reflection

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a significant traditional holiday in China that falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. In 2018, the festival will take place on September 24th, marking an auspicious occasion for people to come together with family and friends.

The Mid-Autumn Festival has a rich history dating back over 3,000 years to China's Shang Dynasty. According to Chinese myth, Chang'e, the goddess of the moon, and her pet Jade Rabbit are said to reside on the moon, where they enjoy delicious mooncakes and celebrate the harvest season. The festival is also associated with the full moon, which symbolizes unity, prosperity, and good fortune.

In recent years, China's space program has made significant progress, with notable achievements such as landing the Jade Rabbit rover on the moon in 2013. The country is now planning a moon probe mission for 2018, followed by a Mars probe in 2020 and a manned spacecraft landing on the moon by 2036.

As we celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in 2018, it's an opportunity to reflect not only on China's remarkable achievements in space exploration but also on the importance of family and friends. The festival is a time for people to come together, share stories, and enjoy traditional foods such as mooncakes and pomelos.

In Hong Kong, where the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm, the government has designated the day following the festival as a general holiday in substitution for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day, which falls on September 23rd. This allows people to take part in celebrations and spend quality time with loved ones.

As we look forward to the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival 2018, let us cherish this special occasion to appreciate the beauty of our relationships, the significance of family, and the wonders that await us in the vast expanse of space.

Chinese mid autumn festival 2018