Today is Sep 25. That by itself, in this format, may not mean much. But if we cast it following the Chinese calendar, it’s also August 15. That means it’s Moon Cake Festival, by what we eat on the day, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, a literal translation of its Chinese counterpart.Back home, while we all partake of the moon cake, which is not really a cake by western standard because the contents are encased within a crust, edible of course, the young and restless would parade around, paper-made lanterns in hand. Now the kids are all grown up, wify and I have to settle for just having a friend over to enjoy the moon cake, with a pot of tea.
Wify prepared a table-full of goodies in very short notice, and the moon cakes are from HongKong ...
But before that, I ventured outdoor to ogle at the moon, which is supposed to be especially bright and luminous on this night. Alas, it was not to be, thanks, and no thanks to the dark clouds hovering above me. Anyway, judge for yourself (I purposely framed the gentle glow between two tree tops).As for the origin/provenance of the festival, I remember vaguely it being to commemorate the uprising of the masses in the dying days of the Yuan Dynasty, one of the two dynasties in Chinese history governed by other than the Han people, the other being the Ching Dynasty. In order to transmit the message for a synchronized uprising, undetected by the ruling government, they inserted the paper note in moon cakes for circulation. And the rest is history.
In Chinese folklore, the full moon is a symbol for the reunion of families. Therefore for those who are away from home and loved ones, it could be an especially trying time, the mind drifting back to the home while bodily separated. But we are glad Yu Huei could join us for the sentimental moment, helping to dissipate some of the longing feeling that tends to creep up on us in such a tender moment of nostalgia.
Wify and her frequent companion, both in life and in Dharma.
And wify's life-long companion ...
3 comments:
Heehee fat fats!
So... This is Yu Huei! Hopefully I will get the pleasure of meeting her next time I am in Tampa.
Where did you get those Hong Kong mooncakes?! I am ten kinds of jealous! I am glad, at least, that I was able to get some at all over here. :D
Nice picture of the moon!
Hello, Kitty Gril,
This is Yu Huei. It would be my pleasure and honor to met you too next time when you in Tampa. I wonder if "Bacon" will come along. :-) You seem very positive, outgoing and a very happy person, that's a great character I see on you and your mom, and sister. (U're very pretty too~)
I heard a lot about you and hope to met you in person next time.
^___^
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Very Nice article, thank you for the commons
"But we are glad Yu Huei could join us for the sentimental moment, helping to dissipate some of the longing feeling that tends to creep up on us in such a tender moment of nostalgia."
I really enjoy being a part of "family" of Beekhoon sister,
well, she has adopted me to be one of children. I learn so so much from Beekhoon sister to be open heart, positive and kind/compassion.
I noticed the moon was extra "big" today and yesterday, It is a very speical holiday and I am glad I spend it with my "family"...hehehe. also I am so glad that I and Beekhoon sister have this speical connection in life and Buddhism.
Togehter we can make difference.
Life and espically the road of Buddhism is not easy, but with great friends who help each other and motivate each other, we can acchieve our goal/dream.
Thank you again. Amitofo.
Hmm., Kitty girl, this is Yu Huei. Yu Huei, Kitty girl. With that out of the way, we are all one big family now.
The double-yolk mooncake is from a local Chinese grocery here, with nice packaging.
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