A third posting in one month?! It has been done before. Well, I make no excuses. Its Mid-Autumn Festival time in China and today is Moon Day.
The three day festival began on Sunday, and I've been having such a good time sharing Mid-Autumn posters and images on Facebook, and nibbling on red bean mooncakes, which I guess, should be eaten on Moon Day, but they were there and you know how that is.
Mid-Autumn Festival, or Mid-Autumn Day, is the second grandest festival in China after Chinese New Year. It is celebrated on the on 15th day of the 8th lunar month, and this year, fell on September 21rst. It is always in the autumn season of China.
As with all Chinese festivals, Mid-Autumn has its share of legends and history. This one goes back 3,000 years to the time the Chinese regained China from the Mongols.
There is a wonderful legend called The Rabbit in the Moon, which tells the story of one noble little bunny who sacrificed his life so three hungry gods that came down to earth could eat. The three immortables disguised themselves as old people and begged food from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit.
The fox and monkey shared their food, but the rabbit hadn't any, so he said, "You can eat me," and threw himself on the fire. The immortals were so moved that they sent it to the moon to become the immortal jade rabbit.
The rabbit is honored today and the story told at festivals. There is another popular story of the wife of Hou Yi, Chang E, who tried to protect an elixir that would make a mortal into a god. Her husband asked her to keep it safe, but the secret was out and a villain came to steel it, so she drank the elixir and tried to fly to fly to the moon. Hou Yi, missing his wife, began to place his wife's favorite foods on the table each full moon. This tradition became the basis for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
So while I was celebrating these three days in my own quiet way, I decided to dress Ten Ping in her Mid-Autumn outfit, and scrambled to make Yu Ping something to wear. I chose a feather weight navy corduroy to make an apron from and piped and lined it in a floral Lawn. I then appliqued a moon and rabbit to the apron's front.
Last night I made her a moon standard and a rabbit puppet to tell the story of The Rabbit in the Moon in her own way.
In these photos you will see a real mini mooncake sitting on the table, which is made from sweet red bean paste, wrapped in pastry, and stamped with symbols such as longevity and health. I've never tried the more traditional mooncake that boasts a salted duck egg yolk in the center to represent the moon. Someday. When I don't have to buy in quantity!
Below are some stock photos from Ruby Red Galleria of Gigi and Ten Ping in the costumes that were made for them just for this occasion. Sadly, I do not have Gigi's. And, some other charming and beautiful images found on Pinterest. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, and Happy Autumn Equinox! Tomorrow is our first day of fall. Might be a good day for take out Chinese food!
Love,
Wandering through your blogs has been a delight. I love Kitty Hudson's trousseau. Do you sell your patterns? I would love to attempt some of your designs. My best, Deborah
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah, Thank you, and I'm so glad you enjoyed browsing. Sadly, I'm not a pattern maker. I'd be pathetic at it. I'm just a paper towel pattern maker. I'm flattered though. Was there one in particular you wanted to sew from? I could try. No charge.
ReplyDeleteI love the little dress with the scallop edging. I like the dress and coat combination also but it is the dress that initially caught my eye.
ReplyDelete