Festivities

Mid-Autumn Festival: Why It’s More Than Just Mooncakes

While mooncakes are a delicious symbol of the season, the Mid-Autumn Festival is much more than that. Its beauty lies in the stories, traditions, and meanings passed down through generations — starting with the legendary tale of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess.

Mid-Autumn Festival: Why It’s More Than Just Mooncakes

What is the Mid-Autumn (Mooncake) Festival?

The Mooncake Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture — much like the Chinese New Year. It’s a celebration of the harvest, family reunion, and gratitude.

The festival is also deeply connected to the timeless legend of Chang’e and Hou Yi. According to the story, people began offering mooncakes and fruits to the moon each year to honor their love and to wish for happiness, harmony, and togetherness.

🌕 Common traditions:

  • Eating Mooncakes: Mooncakes symbolize reunion and completeness, as their round shape represents the full moon and the unity of family.
  • Eating Pomelo: Pomelo is a popular fruit during the festival because its name sounds like the word for “protect” in Chinese. It symbolizes good luck, blessings, and safety.
  • Lighting Lanterns: Lanterns represent light, hope, and brightness. On the night of the festival, children love carrying colorful lanterns, lighting up streets and parks with a joyful glow.
  • Admiring the Full Moon with Family and Friends: Families and friends gather outdoors to admire the full moon together. This tradition reflects the true spirit of the festival — togetherness, harmony, and gratitude.
What to do during mooncake festival

When is it?

The Mooncake Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, usually falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar. In 2025, it falls on Monday, October 6 — that’s today! 🎉🥮

As we admire the glowing full moon and share mooncakes with loved ones, it’s also the perfect time to treat yourself to something special. Whether it’s a new outfit inspired by the festival’s colors — gold, silver, or moonlit white — or elegant accessories that shine as bright as the moon, celebrate the spirit of reunion and beauty in your own style.

✨ Explore more on ZALORA for festive fashion pieces and celebrate this Mid-Autumn Festival with elegance and joy. 🌕💛