The Mid Autumn Festival, commonly known as MoonCake Festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is said that the moon is at its roundest on this day and to the Chinese, the complete circle symbolises completeness and unity within a family. Traditionally, families would gather around a round table for a meal together on this day. The shape of the classic Chinese dinning table is a reflection of the moon… the circle is a shape with not edges and so it is in a family, where no one is left aside.
The highlight of the celebration would be the mooncakes and colourful lanterns. Traditionally, the mooncake is round as it depicts the circle of the moon. Today, the mooncake comes in all shapes and sizes and in a variety of flavours too. Recent years, we’ve seen the western interpretation of the moon cake with ice-cream and truffle fillings! Yummy as they are, and an excellence choice for the warm local climate, nothing beats the good old soft lotus fillings with the golden baked crust. There’s a little legend behind the mooncake which explains why ice cream filling just won’t do.
It is said that back in A.D.1280-1368, during the Yuan Dynasty, China was ruled by the Mongolians. The leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D.960-1280) would not submit to foreign rule and so they plotted the Han Chinese Revolt. To circulate the secret operation, the leaders started a rumor that a deadly plague was spreading, and the eating of mooncakes could prevent this deadly disease. This prompted the quick distribution of the first mooncakes, which had the secret message hidden in them.
While the mooncake could have carried the message of revolution back then, today it carries a different message… it is a wish for unity and harmony at home.
While I am tempted to spell out the calorie each wedge of mooncake contains. I will refrain from doing so. It’s a festive season! And there is every reason to indulge. I would however, present you with the exercise calorie calculator. Just work the calories away later.
We wish you and your loved ones a happy MoonCake Festival. Eat up, drink up, and work out! May your life be as complete as the 15th lunar moon!
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- Baked Mini Piggy and Bunny Mooncakes (foodismylife.wordpress.com)
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