Where did the Mid-Autumn Festival originate from? Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the important traditional holidays of Vietnam. This is an opportunity for families to gather together, not only enjoying delicious moon cakes but also participating in fun activities together. Mid-Autumn Festival is also considered "Children's Festival" because this is an opportunity for children to receive gifts and have fun. Let's explore with Pasta Fresca Saigon the origin, history of the ancient Mid-Autumn Festival and the characteristics of this holiday through the article below.
Where did the ancient Mid-Autumn Festival originate from?
Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the long-standing traditional holidays of Vietnamese people. Everyone knows that Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month every year, right in the middle of autumn.
There are many extremely interesting stories and accounts about the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival. And one of the most popular stories is about the fact that Emperor Wudi (156-87 BC) of the Chinese Han Dynasty heard that enemy troops were planning to attack the country on the full moon day of the eighth month. Because So, he decided to use lanterns to inform the army and the people when the enemy would attack. After that, people continued to use lanterns to commemorate this event and it became a traditional custom to this day.
In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival also has many unique characteristics and customs. Typically, children are given moon cakes, carry lanterns, light fireworks, play folk games and reunite with their families in the warm atmosphere of autumn.
The ancient history of the Mid-Autumn Festival and countless interesting stories behind it
Mid-Autumn Festival is an important holiday and has a long history in many Asian countries such as China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and many other countries.
Where did the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival originate from? According to records, the Mid-Autumn Festival in China began in the early period of the Han Dynasty in China (206 BC - 220 AD). In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated from the Ly - Tran period (10 to 14 centuries). At this time, the Mid-Autumn Festival is considered an occasion for Vietnamese people to honor gods, monks and Buddhists, as well as to pray for a bountiful autumn, a full and lucky year.
During the feudal period, Mid-Autumn Festival became a popular festival in both royal courts and villages. Many traditional activities are held on this occasion. Including light dancing, light bicycle racing, fireworks, playing Chinese chess and other folk games. Mid-Autumn Festival is also an opportunity for children to receive gifts and enjoy delicious moon cakes.
From that period until now, Mid-Autumn Festival has been widely celebrated in many parts of the world, especially in Asian countries. Although there are changes and depend on the culture, beliefs and lifestyle of each locality. Mid-Autumn Festival still retains traditional values and brings joy and happiness to everyone.
Mid-Autumn Festival past and present - What is the difference in origin?
In the past, Mid-Autumn Festival was considered a children's festival. When children enjoy the joy and happiness of autumn by lighting lanterns and parading on the streets. And especially enjoy traditional moon cakes such as pies and sticky rice cakes.
However, now the Mid-Autumn Festival has also become an occasion for family members to reunite. Enjoy the typical dishes of the Mid-Autumn Festival together, showing love and care for each other. In addition, cultural and educational activities such as cultural shows, folk games, quiz competitions, and reading fairy tales are also held during the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, the Mid-Autumn Festival, both past and present, are important traditional holidays. But its organization and meaning have changed a lot with time and local culture
Xem thêm: Mid-Autumn Festival Meaning For Children
5 typical dishes of the Mid-Autumn Festival - Easy to "approach" but hard to guess
It must be said that Mid-Autumn Festival is an opportunity for families to gather and enjoy the typical dishes of this holiday. Below are some popular dishes of Mid-Autumn Festival:
Moon cake
This is an indispensable dish on Mid-Autumn Festival. There are many different types of moon cakes, depending on the region and different tastes. Such as pies, sticky rice cakes, green bean cakes, sesame cakes, pho tai cakes, etc.
Lotus seeds
Lotus seeds are considered a special dish of Mid-Autumn Festival in Southern Vietnam. Lotus seeds are made from dried lotus seeds soaked in water, then boiled with sugar and coconut water until the lotus seeds are soft and absorb the sugar.
Grilled sweet Potato
Grilled sweet potatoes have long become a favorite dish during the Mid-Autumn Festival in our homeland. Sweet potatoes are peeled, thinly sliced and then baked in the oven to create a crispy skin and tender potato flesh.
Pia cake
In fact, Pia cake is not a traditional dish of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. But it is a local specialty dish of the Southwest region. Pia cake has a crispy, salty crust with a delicious filling inside. Pia cake filling is usually sauteed onions with pork or salted eggs. However, now there are many different types of pia cake such as egg pia cake, coconut pia cake, sesame pia cake, etc. Pia cake is often packaged in paper boxes and becomes a special gift during holidays. Including the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Sticky rice cake filled with salted egg
Salted egg-filled sticky rice cake is a traditional Vietnamese dish during the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as Mid-Autumn Festival or Children's Day). The sticky rice cake is made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, cooking oil, and water with salted egg filling inside.
To make sticky rice cake filled with salted egg, first sticky rice flour is mixed with water and cooking oil to form a sticky mixture. Then, from this mixture, form round cakes and flatten them. The salted egg filling is prepared in advance by boiling the eggs in salt water until the eggs are cooked, then peeling the egg shell and marinating with spices to help the egg absorb the flavor.
Next, each cake ball is pressed by hand to form a flat shape, then the salted egg filling is placed between the two cake layers and covered. Finally, the cake is boiled in boiling water until it is cooked and expands.
Salted egg-filled sticky rice cake has a light sweet taste, is soft and delicious from the salted egg filling inside. This dish is often shared and enjoyed with family and friends during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Red beans cooked with coconut milk
Red beans cooked with coconut milk is a traditional dish during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Northern Vietnam because it symbolizes reunion, happiness and fortune.
According to legend, red beans are a symbol of reunion because when red beans are cooked, they expand and become soft, symbolizing the connection between family members. Fresh coconut symbolizes prosperity and wealth, along with a sweet, delicious flavor that creates a special dish during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
In addition, red beans and coconut milk are both popular and easy-to-find ingredients in the daily lives of Vietnamese people, so this dish is often prepared and enjoyed at family parties or when everyone is busy. People gather together to have fun during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
In short, red beans cooked with coconut milk is not only a delicious dish but also carries a deep symbolic meaning of reunion, happiness and fortune in the lives of Vietnamese people.
Coconut jam
Coconut jam is a traditional dish of "Children's Tet" in Central and Southern Vietnam. Coconut is sliced thinly and then boiled with sugar to create delicious and fatty coconut jam.
Ending
So we have learned about the meaning, historical origin as well as traditional dishes of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. If readers are looking for a "change of pace" to enjoy the special atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival. At the same time enjoying typical dishes in a luxurious, cozy space, Pasta Fresca Saigon will definitely be a great choice.
Pasta Fresca Saigon – a luxurious Italian restaurant with airy space and a rich menu, including traditional Mid-Autumn dishes. Here, you can dine with friends and family, enjoying delicious, quality food. And prepared by professional chefs. Come and experience the warm atmosphere and wonderful flavors of Pasta Fresca Saigon on this special Tet day, okay?