We work with clients all over the world and we have many clients located in Asia.  As I was getting prepared for upcoming public holidays and business closings, I came across a holiday that I wanted to learn more about because of its name – the Mid-Autumn Festival.  

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a National Holiday in China, Macau, Taiwan and Hong Kong.  It is traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month on Traditional Chinese Calendar, which this year is equivalent to September 27.  In Hong Kong and Macau, the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival is a public holiday (surely due to the late night festivities).

What I found out is that the holiday is known by several other names (Moon Festival is one of them) and attributes its history to several different and interesting legends as well as the traditional harvest depending on what website you are searching.  The common thread seems to be that it is considered to be one of the most important festivals of the year.  It is a happy holiday and involves the eating of moon cake, a dragon dance, lanterns, gazing at the moon, and of course celebrating with friends and family!  

Here are some sources where you can learn more about it:

http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/china/midautumn_festival.php

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/mid-autumn.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Autumn_Festival

 

Which legend do you like best?