**Folk Customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival**

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, typically falling in September or October. Here are some of the customs and traditions associated with this festival:
1. **Moon Viewing**: The most well-known custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival is moon viewing. Families gather together to admire the full moon, which is believed to be the brightest and roundest of the year. It is a time for family reunions and expressing gratitude for the harvest.
2. **Eating Mooncakes**: Mooncakes are the signature food of the Mid-Autumn Festival. These round pastries symbolize completeness and are traditionally filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or salted egg yolk. Mooncakes can vary in size and flavor, but they are always round, mimicking the full moon.
3. **Lighting Lanterns**: In some regions, lanterns are released into the sky during the Mid-Autumn Festival. These lanterns, often red, are a symbol of hope and good fortune.
4. **Pumpkin Carving**: While more common in Halloween celebrations, pumpkin carving can also be part of the Mid-Autumn Festival in some areas. People carve pumpkins into lanterns or other shapes, illuminating their homes with a festive glow.
5. **Dance Dragons and Lions**: In many Chinese communities, dragon and lion dances are performed to celebrate the festival. These dances are believed to bring good luck and fortune to the community.
6. **Poetry and Literature**: The Mid-Autumn Festival has a rich literary tradition. Poets throughout history have written about the beauty of the moon and the joy of family gatherings during this time.
**Development and Evolution of the Mid-Autumn Festival**
The Mid-Autumn Festival has a long history, with roots dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Over the centuries, the festival has evolved in various ways:
- **Ancient Origins**: Initially, the festival was mainly a harvest celebration. The moon was associated with the abundance of crops, and the full moon symbolized the completeness of the harvest.
- **Cultural Integration**: As China has been influenced by other cultures over time, the Mid-Autumn Festival has incorporated elements from neighboring countries. For example, the introduction of mooncakes was influenced by the trade with the Arabs and Persians.
- **Modern Adaptations**: In the 20th century, the festival has continued to evolve. With the influence of globalization, some modern elements have been added, such as shopping promotions and city-wide moonlight concerts.
Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival remains a time for families to come together, enjoy the beauty of the moon, and appreciate the richness of their cultural heritage.
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