<p class="ql-block">It’s time to admire the full moon, hang a lantern and eat a mooncake. The Mid-Autumn Festival is here. As Chinese, we are so familiar with this traditional festival. Then how can we introduce it to people who don’t know much about it? Perhaps we can think about the following aspects.</p> 中秋节的缘起与历史 <p class="ql-block">The Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important traditional festival in China after the Spring Festival. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. A year is divided into four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter, and according to traditional Chinese calendar, each season is further divided into three phases. The 8th lunar month is the second month in autumn and the 15th day is in the middle of the month. That's how the festival gets its name-the Mid-Autumn Festival.中秋节是中国重要性仅次于春节的第二大传统节日，庆祝时间为每年的农历八月十五。根据中国传统历法，一年分春、夏、秋、冬四季，每季分为三个阶段，农历八月为秋季的第二个月，称为仲秋，而农历八月十五为仲秋之中，故称中秋。</p><p class="ql-block">The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the ancient people's worship of the moon. In the documents of the Western Han Dynasty, there are records of Chang'e flying to the moon and Wu Gang cutting an osmanthus. The festival came into being in the Song Dynasty and became important in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.中秋节源自古人对月亮的祭祀与崇拜。西汉的文献中便有嫦娥奔月、吴刚伐桂的记载，而节日的形成源自宋代，明清时，中秋节已成为重要的节日。</p><p class="ql-block">Celebrations during the Mid-Autumn Festival are worshiping and appreciating the moon, eating mooncakes, enjoying osmanthus blossoms and drinking wine fermented with osmanthus flowers, all of which can date back to the ancient time. "Family reunion" is the theme of the Mid-Autumn Festival, during which the full moon means the full attendance of family members, and the mooncake is a symbol of cherishing. Chinese culture has such a huge influence that the Mid-Autumn Festival has been introduced into countries in East and Southeast Asia, and is greatly treasured by overseas Chinese there.中秋节自古便有祭月、赏月、拜月、吃月饼、赏桂花、饮桂花酒等习俗，这些习俗流传至今，绵延不绝。“阖家团圆”是中秋节的主题，中秋节以月圆寓人圆，以月饼寓意团圆，寄托思念之情，月饼成为中秋节亲朋间联系感情的重要礼物。受中华文化的影响，中秋节的庆祝传统也传播到东亚和东南亚一些国家，成为当地华人华侨的重要节日。</p><p class="ql-block">In 2006, the Mid-Autumn Festival was listed by the Chinese State Council in the first batch of intangible Cultural Heritage of the country. Since 2008 Chinese people have enjoyed the annual public holiday of the Mid-Autumn Festival.2006年，中秋节被国务院列入首批国家级非物质文化遗产名录。自 2008年始，中秋节被列为国家法定节假日。</p> 中秋节习俗 <p class="ql-block">Many traditional and meaningful celebrations are held in most households in China, and China's neighboring countries. The main traditions and celebrations include eating mooncakes, having dinner with family, gazing at and worshipping the moon, and lighting lanterns.大部分中国家庭以及中国的邻国都会举行许多传统的庆祝活动，主要庆祝方式包括吃月饼，吃团圆饭，赏月和点灯笼。</p><p class="ql-block">Eating mooncakes is the most popular Mid-Autumn Festival activity. Mooncakes are cookies with various fillings like nuts, red bean paste, lotus root paste, egg yolk, meat, and fruit, etc. They are usually round to symbolize the full moon and family reunion.吃月饼是中秋节最受欢迎的活动。月饼是一种有各种馅料的饼干，比如坚果、豆沙、莲蓉、蛋黄、肉类和水果等。它们通常是圆的，象征着满月和家庭团圆。</p><p class="ql-block">Appreciate the Full Moon. In traditional Chinese culture, the moon on the festival night is believed to be the fullest and brightest of the whole year, symbolizing family reunion. Even a family member is not home, he or she is appreciating the same moon with other families, seeming like they are together.赏月，在中国传统文化中，中秋节晚上的月亮被认为是一年中最圆最亮的，象征着家庭团聚。即使一个家庭成员不在家，他或她与其他家庭成员共赏同一轮月亮，就好像他们是在一起一样。</p><p class="ql-block">Worship the Moon.This tradition has been 3,000 years old. On the night, people set a table with mooncakes and other sacrifices towards the moon, make wishes, offer incense and kowtow to the moon. Afterwards, the families will share the sacrifices.祭月，这个传统已经有3000年的历史了。在这天晚上，人们会对着月亮摆上一桌月饼和其他祭品，许愿、上香、磕头。之后，家人会共享祭品。</p><p class="ql-block">Enjoy Family Reunion Dinner.During the festival, all families try their best to go home and enjoy a big feast. In addition to mooncakes, other popular dishes for the reunion dinner include osmanthus cake, osmanthus wine, crab, duck, taro, and pumpkin.吃团圆饭，在节日期间，所有的家庭尽他们最大的努力回家享受一顿大餐。除了月饼，其他受欢迎的团圆饭包括桂花糕、桂花酒、蟹、鸭、芋头和南瓜。</p><p class="ql-block">Drink Osmanthus Wine.Around the festival, the Osmanthus is always in full blossom, making it a good time to make and drink osmanthus wine. It is light yellow with strong osmanthus fragrance and grape similar flavor, tasting sweet, sour and soft.饮桂花酒，节日前后，桂花怒放，是制作和饮用桂花酒的好时机。桂花呈淡黄色，花香浓郁，有点像葡萄的味道，尝起来又甜又酸又软。</p> 中秋相关英文词汇 <ol class="ql-block"><li>中秋节</li></ol><p class="ql-block">中秋节 Mid-Autumn Day；Mid-Autumn Festival</p><p class="ql-block">农历 Chinese lunar calendar</p><p class="ql-block">满月 full moon</p><p class="ql-block">秋分前后的满月 harvest moon</p><p class="ql-block">赏月 appreciating the moon；moon gazing</p><p class="ql-block">拜月 moon worship</p><p class="ql-block">相聚 gathering</p><p class="ql-block">家人团圆 family reunion</p><p class="ql-block">月饼 mooncake</p><p class="ql-block">孔明灯 sky lantern；Kongming lantern</p><p class="ql-block">桂花酒 cassia wine </p><p class="ql-block">烧香 burning incense</p><p class="ql-block">祭品 sacrificial offerings</p><p class="ql-block">仪式 ritual</p><p class="ql-block">舞龙舞狮 dragon and lion dances</p><p class="ql-block">灯谜 lantern riddles</p> <p class="ql-block">2.中秋传说</p><p class="ql-block">民间传说 folklore</p><p class="ql-block">月神 lunar deity ['di:iti]；the Moon Goddess</p><p class="ql-block">嫦娥 Chang'e</p><p class="ql-block">玉兔 jade rabbit / hare</p><p class="ql-block">蟾蜍 toad</p><p class="ql-block">桂花树 cassia tree；osmanthus [ɔz'mænθəs] tree</p><p class="ql-block">月宫 Moon Palace</p><p class="ql-block">长生不老药 the elixir [i'liksə] of immortality</p><p class="ql-block">嫦娥奔月 Chang'e flying to the moon</p><p class="ql-block">后羿射日 Houyi shooting the suns</p><p class="ql-block">吴刚伐桂 Wu Gang chopping the tree</p><p class="ql-block">玉兔捣药 Jade Rabbit making heavenly medicine</p> <p class="ql-block">3.月饼</p><p class="ql-block">油酥糕点 pastry</p><p class="ql-block">月饼馅 fillings</p><p class="ql-block">蓉 paste [peist] （糊状物、膏）</p><p class="ql-block">五仁five kernel5 types of nuts and seeds: almonds（杏仁）, walnuts（核桃仁）, watermelon seeds（瓜子仁）, sesame（芝麻仁）, and pumpkin seeds（南瓜子仁）</p><p class="ql-block">五仁叉烧 five kernel and roast pork</p><p class="ql-block">红豆 red bean paste</p><p class="ql-block">枣泥 jujube ['dʒu:dʒu:b] paste</p><p class="ql-block">莲蓉 lotus seed paste</p><p class="ql-block">冬瓜蓉 melon seed paste</p><p class="ql-block">咸蛋黄 yolks from salted duck eggs</p><p class="ql-block">云腿 ham</p><p class="ql-block">猪油 lard</p><p class="ql-block">饼皮 crusts</p><p class="ql-block">浆皮 chewy ['tʃui] crust</p><p class="ql-block">酥皮 flaky crust</p><p class="ql-block">印花 imprint</p><p class="ql-block">冰皮 snow skin</p><p class="ql-block">奶油皮 cream cheese</p><p class="ql-block">京式月饼 Beijing-style mooncakes</p><p class="ql-block">苏式月饼 Suzhou-style mooncakes</p><p class="ql-block">滇式月饼 Yunnan-style moooncakes</p><p class="ql-block">潮汕月饼 Chaoshan-style mooncakes</p><p class="ql-block">广式月饼 Cantonese-style mooncakes</p><p class="ql-block">港式月饼 Hong Kong-style mooncakes</p><p class="ql-block">甜味月饼和咸味月饼 sweet and savory mooncakes</p> <p class="ql-block">4.月亮</p><p class="ql-block">月相 moon phases</p><p class="ql-block">新月 new moon</p><p class="ql-block">娥眉月，盈月 waxing crescent</p><p class="ql-block">半月，上弦月 first quarter</p><p class="ql-block">盈凸月 waxing gibbous ['gɪbəs]</p><p class="ql-block">满月 full moon</p><p class="ql-block">亏凸月 waning gibbous</p><p class="ql-block">半月，下弦月 Third quarter, last quarter</p><p class="ql-block">娥眉月，亏月 waning crescent</p><p class="ql-block">一弯新月 crescent ['kresənt]</p><p class="ql-block">5.关于月亮的形容词</p><p class="ql-block">dreamy 梦幻般的 </p><p class="ql-block">glowing 泛着光芒 </p><p class="ql-block">silver light 银色的月光 </p><p class="ql-block">otherworldly 超凡脱俗的 </p><p class="ql-block">ethereal [i'θiəriəl] 缥缈如仙，非尘世间的 </p><p class="ql-block">enchanting 迷人的 </p><p class="ql-block">tranquil 宁静的 </p><p class="ql-block">serene 宁静的 </p><p class="ql-block">luminous 明亮的 </p><p class="ql-block">ablaze 闪耀的 </p><p class="ql-block">shimmer 微光闪烁 </p><p class="ql-block">silhouette [,silu:'et] 轮廓，剪影 </p><p class="ql-block">evanescent [,i:və'nesənt] 缥缈，易消散的 </p><p class="ql-block">bright and pure 皎洁的</p> 中秋节英语祝福 <p class="ql-block">通用的中秋节祝福</p><p class="ql-block">1.Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!/Happy Mooncake Festival!/Happy Moon Festival!中秋节快乐！/月饼节快乐！/月亮节快乐！</p><p class="ql-block">2.Wishing you a happy and prosperous Mid-Autumn Festival!祝你中秋节快乐，万事如意！</p><p class="ql-block">3.Bright moon and stars twinkling and shining, wishing you a Mooncake Festival full of bliss and happiness!明月星辰闪烁，祝你过一个幸福快乐的月饼节！</p> <p class="ql-block">给长辈的中秋节祝福</p><p class="ql-block">1. I wish you good health, good luck, and a happy family.祝你身体健康，万事如意，家庭美满。</p><p class="ql-block">2. The roundest moon can be seen in autumn. It is time for reunions. I wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Day and wonderful life.月到是秋分外明，又是一年团圆日，祝你节日愉快，身体安康。</p><p class="ql-block">3. May the glow of the moon surround you and light your way to health, happiness and prosperity.愿月亮的光辉围绕着你，照亮你通往健康、幸福和繁荣的道路。</p><p class="ql-block">4.I wish you happiness forever. 愿您幸福快乐到永远。</p> <p class="ql-block">给相爱的人的中秋节祝福</p><p class="ql-block">1. If we were together, even the moon would be jealous of our love.如果我们在一起，月亮也会嫉妒的。</p><p class="ql-block">2. The roundest moon is in the hometown, and the best person is you.月是故乡明，人是你最好。</p><p class="ql-block">3. Sweet moon cakes will be served with my blessings. Wish you a happy life and a bright future like the full moon.送上香甜的月饼，连同一颗祝福的心，愿你的每一天都像十五的月亮一样美满。</p> <p class="ql-block">给商业合作伙伴的中秋节祝福</p><p class="ql-block">1. During this golden harvest season, I wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and that your life is getting better and better.金秋的岁月，丰收的季节，祝你中秋快乐，生活越来越好。</p><p class="ql-block">2. Warm-hearted wishes for a happy Mid-Autumn filled with all the best things.传统佳节之际，献上殷殷祝福，祝中秋万事如意。</p><p class="ql-block">3.Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! May the round moon bring you a happy family and a successful future.中秋节快乐！愿圆圆的月亮给你带来幸福的家庭和成功的未来。</p><p class="ql-block">4.I wish your career is brighter than this golden moon and your life is more perfect than this full moon.祝你的事业比这月亮还光明，生活比这月亮还圆满。</p><p class="ql-block">5.Wishing you good fortune and happiness on this amazing Mid-Autumn day!在这个美妙的中秋节，祝您好运和幸福！</p> <p class="ql-block">给家人朋友们的中秋节祝福</p><p class="ql-block">1. Wishing you and your family a happy Mid-Autumn Day and good health. 祝你和你的家人中秋快乐，身体健康。</p><p class="ql-block">2. Wishing you happiness, a family reunion, and a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!祝你喜事连连，阖家团圆，中秋快乐！</p><p class="ql-block">3. Wishing you a perfect life just like the roundest moon on Mid-Autumn Day. 愿你的生活像这十五的月亮一样，圆圆满满。</p><p class="ql-block">4.Wishing you a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival. May the round moon bring you a happy family and a successful future.祝你中秋佳节快乐，月圆人圆事事圆满。</p><p class="ql-block">5.During this Mooncake Festival time, the bright, full moon wishes you many blessings, sincere and long-lasting friendship, and always good fortune in the future.在这个中秋节期间，明亮的满月祝福你，真诚而长久的友谊，并在未来永远好运。</p><p class="ql-block">6.I wish that your career and life, just like the round moon on Mid-Autumn Day, be bright and perfect.我祝愿你的事业和生活，就像中秋节的圆月一样，明亮而圆满。</p><p class="ql-block">7. Hope this Mooncake Festival is the beginning of of all that is the brightest for you.希望这个月饼节对你来说是所有最光明的开始。</p><p class="ql-block">8.Let us raise a toast for a happy and healthy future. Wishing you a very blessed Mid-Autumn Day!让我们为一个幸福健康的未来干杯。祝你中秋快乐！万事如意！</p><p class="ql-block">9.No matter where you are, all those blessings always keep in my mind. I wish everything goes well with you.无论你在何处，有份祝福永远挂在我心中，祝你一切顺利。</p>