Chapter I. Introduction

The Mid-Autumn Festival, as an important part of traditional Chinese culture, carries profound cultural connotations. Among them, the cultural symbolism of moon worship and family reunion is one of the most central spiritual connotations of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Since ancient times, the Mid-Autumn Festival has been a festival for the Chinese people to celebrate the harvest and pray for family reunion, and its cultural value is not only embodied in the traditional festive customs, but also lies in people's yearning and pursuit of a better life .

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, people look up at the bright jade-like moon in the sky and naturally look forward to family reunion. The fullness of the moon symbolizes family reunion and a happy life. This symbolism is deeply rooted in the cultural psychology of the Chinese people and has become an indispensable cultural element of the Mid-Autumn Festival. At the same time, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also the embodiment of people's worship of the moon, which has been given multiple meanings in traditional culture, such as purity, beauty, mystery, etc., and these meanings have been fully demonstrated in the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival .

By exploring the cultural symbolism of moon worship and family reunion in the Mid-Autumn Festival, we can gain a deeper understanding of the traditional culture and values of the Chinese people. This cultural allegory not only reflects people's desire for family reunion, but also reflects people's pursuit and yearning for a better life. In today's society, with the accelerated pace of life and increased geographical mobility, the importance of family reunion has become more and more prominent. Therefore, the cultural symbolism of the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a continuation of traditional customs, but also an emotional support and spiritual comfort .

Chapter 2: The Historical Origins of Moon Worship

2.1 Origins of Moon Worship

The original origins of moon worship at the Mid-Autumn Festival are deeply rooted in the religious and philosophical thinking of ancient China. The formation of this custom reflects both the ancient people's reverence for the celestial bodies and their pursuit of the concepts of harmony and reunion.

In ancient China, the moon was regarded as an important celestial body, along with the sun, as the two symbols between heaven and earth. The changes in the moon's waxing and waning were endowed with rich symbolic meanings, such as life, death, and regeneration. This worship of the moon is centrally reflected in the traditional festival of Mid-Autumn Festival .

The Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional Chinese festival, has a history of more than a thousand years. On this day, people carry out various moon related folk activities, such as worshiping the moon and enjoying the moon. These activities not only reflect people's worship of the moon, but also harbor their good wishes for family reunion and happiness .

The origin of moon worship can also be traced back to ancient Chinese philosophical thought. In Taoist thought, the moon was regarded as a symbol of yin, as opposed to the masculine sun. This concept of the balance between yin and yang is not only reflected in the operation of the heavenly bodies, but also permeates the ancient people's way of life and mode of thinking. Therefore, the worship of the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival can also be seen as a concrete practice of the ancient people's philosophical ideas of pursuing the balance of yin and yang and the unity of heaven and man .

The moon is often mentioned in the poems and songs of the ancients, and has become an important carrier for literati and writers to express their emotions and embrace their feelings, which further deepens people's emotional connection to and worship of the moon. On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, both the court and the people will hold grand moon viewing activities, people taste moon cakes and seasonal fruits while enjoying the bright full moon, enjoying the tranquility and beauty of this moment .

The origin of the moon worship in the Mid-Autumn Festival is multifaceted, which reflects both the ancient people's reverence and worship of the heavenly bodies and their pursuit of harmony, reunion and other concepts. This worship not only permeated the ancient people's way of life and mode of thinking, but also became an important part of traditional Chinese culture . Today, although science and technology have revealed the mystery of the moon, traditional customs such as moon appreciation and moon worship during the Mid-Autumn Festival are still preserved and regarded as one of the cultural treasures of the Chinese nation.

2.2 Cultural connotations of moon worship

Moon worship has a rich cultural connotation in Chinese culture, which is not only reflected in the prayers for a better life, but also highlights the reverence for the mysterious nature. In ancient China, the moon was often regarded as a symbol of the goddess, as opposed to the sun, representing femininity, beauty and serenity. The changes in the moon's waxing and waning are linked to women's physiological cycles, fertility, and the reproduction of life, so moon worship also implies prayers for vitality and reproduction .

The fullness of the moon often reminds people of family reunion and the fulfillment of life. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the moon is shining in the sky, family members gather together to enjoy the bright moon and taste mooncakes, a custom that reinforces the close connection between the moon and family reunion. Therefore, moon worship also symbolizes the desire and pursuit of a harmonious family life .

The moon's remoteness and mystery have inspired people to explore and imagine the unknown. In ancient Chinese myths and legends, the moon was the place where immortals lived, and this mystery made the moon a common theme in literature and art works. Moon worship thus also embodies people's awe and worship of mysterious nature, as well as their longing for a beautiful, transcendent life .

Moon worship carries multiple symbols in Chinese culture, including prayers for a better life, longing for family reunion and reverence for mysterious nature. These symbols are centrally embodied and inherited in the traditional festival of Mid-Autumn Festival. Through activities such as enjoying and worshipping the moon, people not only express their reverence for the moon, but also spiritually communicate with the moon, thus deepening their understanding and identification with traditional culture.

Chapter III. Cultural Allegory of Family Reunion

3.1 Symbolism of Reunion

In the traditional festival of Mid-Autumn Festival, family reunion is not only a physical aggregation, but also a deep-seated emotional exchange and spiritual support. Reunion symbolizes the integrity and harmony of the family, reflecting the Chinese people's pursuit of a fulfilling family and a happy life. This pursuit occupies a pivotal position in traditional Chinese family concepts and has become an indispensable cultural element of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The symbolism of family reunion at the Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the ancient people's observation and worship of the moon. The changes in the moon's waxing and waning, just like the gathering and scattering of life, make people have a strong yearning for reunion. On the day of Mid-Autumn Festival, no matter where people are, they will try their best to return home to reunite with their relatives and spend the festival together. This custom not only reflects the traditional concept of the Chinese people, which emphasizes family and affection, but also passes down the longing and pursuit of a happy and fulfilling life for thousands of years.

The symbolism of family reunion in the Mid-Autumn Festival is also closely linked to the traditional Chinese concept of family. In traditional Chinese culture, the family is the basic unit of society, the emotional home and spiritual support of individuals. Family reunion is not only a state of life, but also a value. It emphasizes mutual help, love and harmony among family members and embodies the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation. At this special moment of the Mid-Autumn Festival, family reunion has become people's highest tribute to the happy life of the family, as well as a good wish for social harmony and stability.

The symbolism of family reunion at the Mid-Autumn Festival also carries people's infinite longing for a better life. On this day, people express their hopes for a better life in the future through traditional activities such as enjoying the moon, eating mooncakes and carrying lanterns. The fullness of the moon symbolizes the perfection and abundance of life, and family reunion is an important cornerstone for realizing this beautiful vision. While celebrating the festivities, people also pray in their hearts that their families will always be harmonious and happy, and that their lives will be as perfect as the moon.

Overall, the symbolism of the Mid-Autumn Festival family reunion is far-reaching and rich, which not only embodies the Chinese people's pursuit of a happy family and happy life, but also passes down the yearning and longing for a happy life of reunion for thousands of years. In this traditional festival, let us cherish the family affection more, and jointly guard this happy life of reunion.

3.2 Reunion customs and activities

The Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional festival rich in cultural heritage, has been passed down through the long history of Chinese folklore with many customs and activities closely related to family reunion. These customs and activities have not only enriched the celebration of the festival, but also strengthened people's yearning for and cherishing of family reunion on a spiritual level.

Enjoying the moon is one of the most representative customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. On this night, families will get together and look up at the bright full moon together. The fullness of the moon symbolizes the reunion and beauty of the family. In the process of enjoying the moon, people often express their longing for their loved ones in faraway places, and at the same time, they also take this opportunity to express their hope for a better life in the future. Moon watching is not only a kind of emotional support, but also a kind of cultural inheritance.

Eating mooncakes is another indispensable tradition of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mooncakes, with their unique production process and exquisite appearance, have become a must-have food for every household during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The round shape of the mooncake signifies reunion and fulfillment, while the mooncake is filled with various kinds of fillings, including traditional bean paste and five kernel, as well as novel flavors such as ice cream and chocolate, which satisfy the taste needs of different people. On the evening of Mid-Autumn Festival, the family sits together, tastes the delicious mooncakes and enjoys the warm time of reunion, which is undoubtedly a kind of unspeakable happiness.

Apart from enjoying the moon and eating mooncakes, there are many other interesting customs and activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival. For example, grand temple fairs are held in some places, where people wear gorgeous ethnic costumes and sing and dance to celebrate this special festival. At the temple fairs, people can also taste various kinds of local snacks, buy exquisite handicrafts and feel a strong festival atmosphere. In addition, lantern riddles are also a popular activity during the Mid-Autumn Festival. People write riddles on lanterns and hang them high above the ground, where crowds of people gather to guess them, adding to the fun of the festival and demonstrating the depth and richness of Chinese culture.

These customs and activities not only make people feel a strong festive atmosphere and family warmth during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but also pass on and promote the traditional culture of the Chinese nation in an invisible way. They become an important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival and make this festival more colorful and meaningful. On this special night, no matter where people are, they will send their thoughts and blessings to their distant relatives and friends through these customs and activities, and look forward to a better future together.