Harvest Moon Festival 2023: Wishes, Greetings, History & Quotes

The Harvest Moon Festival, also known as Chuseok or Hangawi, takes place in South Korea on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which falls on September 10 this year. Chuseok celebrations involve spending time with family and indulging in traditional Korean cuisine. It is one of the most significant festivals in South Korea each year. Chuseok is essentially the Korean version of Thanksgiving, which explains why the festivities resemble those of Thanksgiving.

History

Korea was formerly a farming nation. They would worship the full moon around harvest time and express gratitude for a bountiful harvest. The origins of Chuseok can be found in an old practice known as “charge,” in which the women of each house would create a table full of freshly harvested rice and fruit.

However, Korean folklore presents a different narrative. One such myth states that Chuseok originated from a weaving contest between two Silla dynasty princesses. The objective given to the two royals was to weave cloth; the one who could do it the fastest would win. The losing team would also be required to cook a feast for the winner. This competition lasted for an entire month, coming to a close on the 15th day of the lunar calendar’s eighth month with a full moon. According to the legend, several archery and martial arts competitions were also held as a part of the festivities. This explains how this custom became a feature of the celebrations.

Another legend describes how Silla overcame its rival nation, Baekje. Strange marks on a turtle that the Baekje monarch discovered were interpreted by his advisors to indicate “Baekje full moon, Silla half-moon.” They understood this to imply that the Baekje kingdom would fall and the Silla dynasty would rise, and as a result, celebrations still place a high value on the moon. However, some academics contend that Chuseok originated in ancient shamanic practices that emphasized the harvest moon and its adoration.

Moon Festival Foods & Festivities

One of the oldest customs for celebrating the holiday is still eating moon cakes (picture on the left). Red foods are also common for a Chinese Mid-Autumn feast since they bring luck. Particular favorites include apples, pomegranates, roasted chestnuts, lobster, and salmon.

Of course, with today being the harvest festival, there are also a ton of fresh harvest veggies, including pumpkins, squash, and grapes, available at markets. Around the same time, several countries celebrate similar harvest holidays with their own distinctive customs: Korea during the three-day Chuseok festival, Vietnam during Tet Trung Thu, and Japan during the Tsukimi festival.

Fun Facts about the Moon Festival

Chinese Moon Festival around the Web

Discover a wealth of seasonal food and recipe ideas, and festive e-mail greetings. Fascinating folklore, stories, music, poems, and legends on the Web as you learn more about moon festival celebrations in the United States and around the world.

Harvest Moon Festival 2023 Celebration

With food sacrifices performed in honor of the moon, the festival was a time to celebrate the successful harvest of rice and wheat. The Moon, a symbol of peace and unity, is still a reason for outdoor gatherings of friends and family where mooncakes are served. Governmental offices, banks, and schools frequently close early during a solar eclipse year to take advantage of the longer celestial celebration it brings. The festival is marked by a variety of cultural or regional traditions, including:

Happy Mid-Autumn Messages in English:

Chinese mid-Autumn Festival Quotes 2023

Exit mobile version