中秋节吃月饼英语 篇一
The Tradition of Eating Mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the moon is believed to be the brightest and fullest. One of the most iconic customs during this festival is the consumption of mooncakes, a special pastry that holds deep cultural significance.
Mooncakes are round pastries that come in various flavors and fillings. Traditional mooncakes are filled with lotus seed paste and salted egg yolks, but nowadays, there are many creative variations available, such as red bean paste, black sesame, and even ice cream fillings. The outer layer of the mooncake is made from a thin, tender pastry that is often adorned with intricate patterns and designs, symbolizing good luck and happiness.
The act of sharing and eating mooncakes with family and friends is an important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is believed to bring families together and symbolize unity and harmony. During this festival, people exchange mooncakes as gifts to express their love, respect, and well wishes to one another. It is also common for companies and organizations to give mooncakes to their employees and clients as a gesture of appreciation and goodwill.
In addition to the cultural significance, mooncakes also have a rich history. They date back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) when the Chinese people were under the rule of the Mongolians. During that time, mooncakes were used as a means of communication and rebellion against the ruling Mongolians. Messages of revolution were hidden inside the mooncakes, allowing the Chinese people to plan and organize resistance against their oppressors.
Today, mooncakes continue to be an integral part of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. People gather with their loved ones, admire the full moon, and enjoy the sweet and savory flavors of mooncakes. It is a time for families to come together, strengthen their bonds, and appreciate the beauty of the moonlit night.
In conclusion, the tradition of eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival holds great cultural significance in Chinese society. It is a time for families and friends to gather, exchange gifts, and enjoy the delicious flavors of these special pastries. Whether it is to express love and well wishes or to remember the history of resistance, mooncakes continue to play a significant role in this important festival.
中秋节吃月饼英语 篇二
The Symbolism of Mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival
The celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China is incomplete without the presence of mooncakes. These round pastries not only delight the taste buds but also hold deep symbolic meaning. Understanding the symbolism behind mooncakes can provide a deeper appreciation for the cultural traditions associated with the festival.
The round shape of mooncakes symbolizes completeness and unity. The circle has no beginning or end, representing the continuous cycle of life and the unity of families. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, it is common for families to come together and share mooncakes, emphasizing the importance of family reunion and togetherness.
The lotus seed paste, one of the most popular fillings for mooncakes, represents purity and perfection. The lotus flower is a common motif in Chinese culture, symbolizing beauty, enlightenment, and spiritual growth. By consuming lotus seed paste mooncakes, individuals are believed to be embracing these virtues and striving for personal growth.
The salted egg yolks found in traditional mooncakes carry their own symbolism. The brightness and golden color of the egg yolks represent the full moon, which is the focal point of the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is believed that consuming mooncakes with salted egg yolks brings good luck and prosperity.
The patterns and designs on the outer crust of mooncakes also hold meaning. Many mooncakes are adorned with intricate patterns, such as flowers, animals, or Chinese characters. These designs are not merely decorative but often carry auspicious meanings. For example, the depiction of a rabbit is often seen on mooncakes, symbolizing longevity and good fortune.
Mooncakes are not only enjoyed within families but are also exchanged as gifts. The act of giving and receiving mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival signifies the strengthening of relationships and the expression of gratitude. It is a way to show appreciation and well wishes to loved ones, friends, and business associates.
In recent years, mooncakes have also evolved to cater to different tastes and preferences. Modern variations include snow skin mooncakes, which have a soft, mochi-like texture, and ice cream mooncakes, which offer a refreshing twist on the traditional pastry. These innovative creations still carry the symbolism and spirit of the festival while appealing to a wider audience.
In conclusion, mooncakes are not just delicious treats; they are symbolic representations of unity, purity, good fortune, and gratitude. The act of sharing and consuming mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival reflects the values and traditions that have been passed down through generations. As the moon shines brightly in the night sky, mooncakes continue to bring people together and celebrate the richness of Chinese culture.
中秋节吃月饼英语 篇三
中秋节吃月饼英语
中秋节吃月饼的由来【一】
Mooncakes are to Mid-Autumn Festival what mince pies are to Christmas. The seasonal round cakes traditionally have a sweet filling of lotus seed paste or red bean paste and often have one or more salted duck eggs in the center to represent the moon. And the moon is what this celebration is all about. Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month,it is the time when the moon is said to be at its brightest and fullest.
There are two legends which claim to explain the tradition of eating mooncakes. One Tang Dynasty myth holds that the Earth once had 10 suns circling it. One day all 10 suns appeared at once,scorching the planet with their heat. It was thanks to a skillful archer named Hou Yi that the Earth was saved. He shot down all but one of the suns. As his reward,the Heavenly Queen Mother gave Hou Yi the Elixir of Immortality,but she warned him that he must use it wisely. Hou Yi ignored her advice and,corrupted by fame and fortune,became a tyrannical leader. Chang-Er,his beautiful wife, could no longer stand by and watch him abuse his power so she stole his Elixir and fled to the moon to escape his angry wrath. And thus began the legend of the beautiful woman in the moon,the Moon Fairy.
The second legend has it that during the Yuan Dynasty,an underground group led by Zhu Yuan Zang was determined to rid the country of Mongolian dominance. The moon cake was created to carry a secret message. When the cake was opened and the message read,an uprising was unleashed which successfully routed the Mongolians. It happened at the time of the full moon,which,some say,explains why mooncakes are eaten at this time. Mooncakes are usually stamped with Chinese characters indicating the name of the bakery and the type of filling used. Some bakeries will even stamp them with your family name so that you can give personalised ones to friends and family. They are usually presented in boxes of four which indicate the four phases of the moon. Traditional mooncakes are made with melted lard,but today vegetable oil is more often used in the interests of health. Mooncakes are not for the diet-conscious as they are loaded with calories. The best way to wash d
own one of these sticky cakes is with a cup of Chinese tea,especially Jasmine or Chrysanthemum tea,which aids the digestion.中秋节吃月饼就像西方人圣诞节吃百果馅饼一样,是必不可少的。圆圆的月饼中通常包有香甜的莲子馅或是红豆馅,馅的中央还会加上一个金黄的咸鸭蛋黄来代表月亮。而月亮正是中秋节庆祝的主题。每年农历8月15日人们一起庆祝中秋,据说这一天的月亮是一年中最亮最圆的。
关于吃月饼这个传统的来历有两个传说。一个是唐朝的神话故事,说的是当时地球被10个太阳包围着。
有一天10个太阳同时出现在天空中,巨大的热量几乎把地球烤焦了。多亏一位名叫后羿的神箭手射下了9个太阳,地球才被保住。为了奖励后羿,王母娘娘赐给后羿一种长生不老药,但是王母警告他必须正当使用。然而后羿没有理会王母娘娘的警告,他被名利冲昏了头脑,变成了一个暴君。
后羿美丽的妻子嫦娥对他的暴行再也不能袖手旁观,于是她偷走了后羿的长生不老药,飞到月亮上逃避后羿的狂怒。从此就有了关于月宫仙子嫦娥,这个月亮上的美丽女人的'传说。
第二个传说讲的是在元朝,朱元璋领导的起义军计划起义来摆脱蒙古族的统治。他们用月饼来传递密信。
掰开月饼就可以找到里面的密信,起义军通过这种方式成功的发动了起义,赶走了元朝的统治者。这场起义发生在八月十五之时,于是中秋节吃月饼的习俗便在民间传开来。
中秋节吃月饼的由来【二】
中秋节吃月饼的习惯,在我国历史悠久。关于中秋节吃月饼的由来,有不同的说法 。普遍的说法是:唐朝时,太宗李世民为征讨北方突厥,平定其屡次的侵犯,令手下大将李靖亲自率部出征,转战边塞,结果屡建奇功。八月十五这天凯旋归京。为了庆祝胜利,京都长安城内外鸣炮奏乐,军民狂欢通宵。
当时有个到长安通商的吐蕃人,特地向皇上献圆饼祝捷。太宗李世民大喜,接过装璜华丽的饼盒,取出彩色圆饼,指着悬挂天空的明月说道:“应将胡饼邀蟾蜍(即月亮)。”随后,将圆饼分给了文武百官。
从此 ,中秋节吃月饼的习俗便流传了下来。
Eat mooncakes on the mid autumn festival custom, has a long history in our country. About the origin of the Mid Autumn Festival to eat moon cakes, there are different versions. Common saying is: during the Tang Dynasty, Taizong Li Shimin against the northern Turkic, against repeated violations, ordered his general Li Jing herself was out, fight in the frontier, the results repeatedly perform outstanding service. That day in August fifteen triumphant return beijing. In order to celebrate the victory, the Kyoto Changan city and outside the army fired, Carnival night. There was a trade to Changan of the Tibetan people, specially to the emperor offered Zhujie bread circle. Taizong Li Shimin exultation, took the cake box decorated, remove the color round cake, pointing to the sky the moon hung said: "Hu cake should be invited to Toad (Ji Yueliang)." Subsequently, the round cake to the civil and military officials. From then on, eat mooncakes on the Mid Autumn Festival has been passed down.