A bright moon over the city of Xiangyang, Hubei, on the night of Mid-Autumn Festival, Sept. 10. [Photo/VCG]

"The brightest moon of the year hangs in the sky, shedding its silver light over my loved ones far and wide." The Chinese believe that on the Mid-Autumn Festival, the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the moon is at its fullest and brightest. Looking up at the moon, they imagine seeing their loved ones at the other end of the world. The Mid-Autumn Festival had become a day of nostalgia and romance in the early Tang Dynasty (618–907), and various forms of celebration were added in later dynasties, making the day a symbol of beautiful life.

This beautiful day is known for its perfect timing. The four seasons, each having its own beauty, come one after another. However, spring and autumn are Chinese people's favorites, for spring suggests growth, and autumn implies harvest. Moreover, they bring China the most pleasant climates. In autumn with the clearest skies above one can see the most diverse natural colors, smell the best brisk air, and hear the most dulcet humming of insects. And the Mid- Autumn Festival endows us with all those enjoyable things.

According to the ancient Chinese, the Sun and the Moon are the most important celestial bodies between heaven and earth. They run regularly to ensure the universe is harmonious and has order. The ritual to worship the Moon on the day of the Autumnal Equinox (which falls on September 22 or 23) and mythologies about the Moon goddess such as "Chang'e Flying to the Moon" came into being as early as in the pre-Qin period (prior to 221 BCE). The moon reminds people of home and their beloved ones, as chanted in the Book of Songs — Moonrise: "The moon is shining; my girl is stunning. It's vexing I can't take my mind off her slender form and graceful walking."