Real Meaning of Mid Autumn Festival
A few nights back when hubby was out there setting up the lanterns for the kids, he wasn’t happy seeing that I was still busy sticking to the screen of my laptop. Kids were entertained mah…so I thought I could catch a few moments concentrating inside. It was Mid Autumn Festival anyway, and he was right, sigh……He said I should be out there with the kids playing with them, or at least make use of my new camera to take some pictures for the kids.
After just a few minutes, they all came in. Too hot out there and they no longer interested to play. Ya…kids today were not as excited as we were today when we were younger (stated in The Star Paper too). The real meaning of Mid Autumn Festival celebration has been long forgotten. Families no longer gather together under the moon for dinner together at this special day like how we did in the past.
Ancient love stories of Chang Er and how it related to the moon is no longer being pass down by parents or teachers to their children. Even the Moon cakes has lost its originality in shape and taste with the emerge of so many modern flavors. No one appreciates a simple tin box with picture of the moon and Chang Er on it anymore. If we do not pass down the beautiful history and tradition to our kids today, they may be long forgotten soon. Sad isn’t it?
Anyway, this are what we have this year.
Teochew Mooncake with green bean paste from Yong Sheng
- a MUST for myself as this is my childhood favourite. Sad to say that it has become so expensive today and this year, it taste very different from what I had in the previous years.
Even this (I bought from the morning market) taste so much better than the nicely packed Yong Sheng. However it is not cheap either. I was surprise to find that it cost almost the same as Yong Sheng.
Egg Yolk Pies (Ham Tan Sou) from Yong Sheng - si beh pricey and taste so-so only, not going to buy this anymore next year
Homemade Shanghai Yam Moon cake - gift from friend
Another creative box of moon cakes -gift from friend
Dinning under the moonlight
Although most of us were not able to reunion with our own parents on this beautiful night, at least we were able to organise a simple dinner with some of our neighbours. Pity our own parents who are staying so far away from the kids and all alone in our hometown.
After dinner we bring the kids carrying their lantern around the neighbourhood, accompanied by loud sound of firecrackers by our Malay neighbours. Satu Malaysia!
Simple celebration, but it was really fun. For those who celebrated the Mid Autumn Festival, hope you enjoyed as much as we did too.
It is so fun..
we didn’t celebrate in big way cos my FIL is still ‘kai hau’. and my girls were very cranky and wanted to zzzz so we had to leave my PIL place almost straight after dinner so no lantern playing also…
we sat under the moon to eat tidbits only - peanuts and pomelo.
I quite like the Egg Yolk Pie from Yong Sheng wor. Maybe it taste nicer when it is free…hehehehe.
We had an early dinner and let the younger kids (my nieces, nephews & my own kids) play lantern & candles for a while. As it was a weekday, those with school going kids left early. Furthermore, two of my nieces were having exam the next day. If it were a weekend, it would be more “yeet lau”, I guess.
nice celebration
oh…I like your dining out concept. I think I will go that next year! At least do SOMETHING !!!
talking abt that…we had dinner together too but after dinner no one is interested playing lantern. the kids prefer to play electronic games instead…how sad
i like shanghai yam mooncake the most *grin*
Your mid autumn festival is simple but nice. We just have a small gathering dinner among family member.
Thanks for sharing, i was wondering whether the Egg Yolk Pies from Yong Sheng is nice or not but good that i did not buy it.
Hey btw, im from Melaka too!
Nice knowing u…
I agree with your Hubby - you can help to carry on the simple tradition
Hey, I’m a banana but I’m really good at promoting Chinee culture, you know 
By the way, perhaps you can educate us a bit and tell us more about Chang Er? Hubby showed the kids the full moon that night since our baby girl sleeps at 8.00 pm or so - no chance to go out LOL
I thought mooncakes are eaten to symbolise some Chinese village’s victory over some evil warlord - they planned the attack by slipping in pieces of paper through the mooncakes? And the night of the attack is when the moon is full? That’s about all I know
Educate me, ya, so I won’t pass on the wrong stories to my kids hahaha
Hi Chin Nee, my family also celebrated the festival. My SIL, BIL and their families came back for dinner and the kids lighted up candles and lanterns. It was a fun day!
Looks like you had a lot of variety of mooncakes.
It is pleasurable below. fine study. I am looked for this information for quite a while. thanks