**Mid-Autumn Festival Handout: Origin, Customs, and Legends**

**Title: The Mid-Autumn Festival: A Celebration of Harvest and Reunion**
**Introduction:**
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is a time for family reunions, moon gazing, and enjoying the harvest. Here's an overview of the festival's origin, customs, and legends.
**Origin:**
The Mid-Autumn Festival has its roots in ancient China, with various legends and customs associated with it. One of the most popular theories is that the festival originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) to celebrate the moon's fullness and the harvest.
**Customs:**
1. **Moon Gazing:**
- The most iconic custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival is moon gazing. Families gather to admire the full moon, which is believed to be the brightest and roundest of the year.
2. **Mooncakes:**
- Mooncakes are the traditional food of the festival. These round pastries symbolize reunion and are filled with sweet or savory ingredients like lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or meat.
3. **Lanterns:**
- Children often carry lanterns, which are lit and released into the sky. These lanterns symbolize hope and good wishes for the future.
4. **Dragon and Lion Dances:**
- In some regions, dragon and lion dances are performed to bring good luck and prosperity.
5. **Tea Drinking:**
- Tea is an integral part of the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is believed that drinking tea can help clear the mind and appreciate the beauty of the moon.
**Legends:**
1. **The Moon Goddess:**
- One of the most famous legends is about the Moon Goddess, Chang'e. According to the story, she fled to the moon after consuming an elixir of immortality, leaving her husband, Hou Yi, on Earth.
2. **The Rabbit in the Moon:**
- Another popular legend is about a rabbit living on the moon, pounding medicinal herbs for the Moon Goddess.
3. **The Moon Festival in the Tang Dynasty:**
- The festival was also celebrated during the Tang Dynasty, with poets and writers writing about the beauty of the moon and the joy of the harvest.
**Conclusion:**
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to come together, appreciate the beauty of the moon, and celebrate the harvest. Its rich history and customs make it a cherished tradition in Chinese culture.
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