Happy Mid-Autumn Festival

Yesterday was the mid Autumn Festival (中秋节), or Harvest Moon Festival. It is celebrated in many Asian countries - including China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines - on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (which usually falls in late September or early October).

The full moon on this night is said to be the brightest of the year 🌝, and traditions include lighting of lanterns 🏮, lion dancing, and sharing of mooncakes.

The mid-Autumn Festival is actually the second most important holiday in Chinese culture (behind Lunar New Year 🧧) and is much like Thanksgiving here in the U.S. - a time when families reunite and gather together. Obviously, with COVID, we were not able to celebrate as we usually do with extended family - but it is a reminder of all we do have and can be grateful for. 🙏🏼