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Moon Rabbit is a wellness sanctuary - a tranquil space with an emphasis on health and relaxation.
With that said, we love a good party + reason to celebrate (life is all about balance, after all!). The Mid-Autumn Festival is important to us for many reasons & it’s a holiday that we’re proud to honor and observe with our Moon Rabbit community!
The Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival [also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival], is one of the most important, traditional holidays celebrated in many Asian cultures. The full moon that rises closest to the autumnal equinox is special to people around the world. In many countries, the lunar event is known as the Harvest Moon, where the dark sky is flooded with precious light from the vibrant moon. This creates ease and joy for farmers working late in their fields. In many Asian countries, this full moon [believed to be the brightest of the year] is celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival with a variety of customs that include family reunions, special foods, mooncakes, and lanterns.
The Mid-autumn Festival is observed widely throughout China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls in mid-September or early October.
LEGENDS, CEREMONIES & CELEBRATIONS
A variety of celebrations/ceremonies recognize gratitude for the harvest and encourage the powerful light from the moon to return in the coming year. The festival also honors Chang’e, the beautiful Moon Goddess. It’s whispered that her blessings bestow eternal beauty upon worshippers. [Speaking of beauty, check out our shop stocked with our favorite, clean products here.]
One version of Chang’e’s story goes like this: Thousands of years ago, a hero named Hou Yi shot down nine of the ten suns that were scorching the earth, which lead to a reward from the Goddess of the Heavens. The Goddess gave Hou Yi a special elixir that would enable him to ascend to the heavens and become a god. Hou Yi’s beautiful wife, Chang’e, was guarding the elixir for Hou Yi while he was out hunting. Suddenly, an evil man tried to steal the elixir from her. In an effort to protect the elixir from the thief, Chang’e drank it herself and flew to the moon. Brokenhearted, Hou Yi arranged his wife’s favorite foods on a table each year, on the day of the fullest moon, hoping she would return.
Wait, there’s more…
This is a good time to share how we chose the name Moon Rabbit.
In Chinese folklore, the Jade Rabbit is Chang’e’s companion on then moon. How did the Jade Rabbit find its home on the moon alongside Chang'e? Legends intertwine and stories differ slightly but in one Buddhist tale, compassion reigns supreme. The Jade Emperor, disguised as a destitute old man, sought sustenance from various creatures. Monkey, otter, and jackal contributed their offerings, but it was the humble rabbit who selflessly sacrificed itself, choosing to offer its own body to the fire that man had ignited. The rabbit's purity of heart moved the great Jade Emperor, who in turn, immortalized the rabbit on the moon. The Moon Rabbit symbolizes selflessness, piety, and sacrifice.
You may glimpse the outline of the Jade Rabbit next time you gaze at the moon. Perhaps the Jade Rabbit graces the moon as a reminder that no matter where we stand on Earth, there is always someone watching over us, caring for us.
At Moon Rabbit, the spirit of this timeless legend thrives—a beacon of history that guides us on our quest to well-being and finding our best self!
SPOTLIGHT ON CUSTOMS AROUND THE WORLD
The Festival is celebrated with lots of glowing light, moon worshipping, community/family gatherings, special food and good vibes!
Mooncakes are rich pastries that are round like the moon and filled with a variety of things: traditional lotus seed or bean paste, egg yolk, or more recently, chocolate, truffles, foie gras — even ice cream. Mooncakes are often elaborately decorated with patterns that honor the legends of the festival. People give mooncakes as gifts and eat them at family gatherings. We hope to eat a Mooncake or two with you @ Moon Rabbit!
Often, friends and families set tables outside of their homes to admire the full moon while enjoying a tasty meal. Parents recite the legend of Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit and invite children to find the shapes of those figures on the moon.
In South Korea, the celebration lasts three days.
In Taiwan, the Mid-autumn Festival is a national holiday, celebrated by eating mooncakes and pomelo, a large citrus related to grapefruit.
In Vietnam, it’s called “Children’s Festival,” where children hold lanterns as they watch lion dances and feast on mooncakes.
Singapore’s Chinatown and Gardens by the Bay feature lantern displays and many variations of mooncakes.
It’s believed that lanterns light the way to prosperity and good fortune. Plenty of lanterns adorn Moon Rabbit on this day!
Book now for a service during Mid Autumn Festival & celebrate with us!
