Mooncake Festival in Malaysia

The Mid-Autumn Festival or "Choong Chou Jeet" (in Cantonese) is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The close association with mooncakes and lanterns in its celebration makes it more popularly known as the Mooncake or Lantern Festival. The round shape to a Chinese means family reunion. Therefore the day is a holiday for family members to get together wherever it is possible.

Traditionally this was a harvest festival and was usually celebrated with thanksgiving, especially if the harvest had been plentiful, but it also had a political significance. During an uprising against the ruling Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century, messages were passed to conspirators in moon cakes.

Since the custom of eating mooncakes began in the 13th century, mooncakes have become an integral part of the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Mooncake Festival, as it continues to be commemorated as the end to Mongol rule. Today, mooncakes symbolize the gathering of friends and family and are an indispensable part of the offerings made to the Earth God, Tu Ti Kung.

This is also the occasion to appreciate the moon when most beautiful as the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar is the time when the moon is said to be at its fullest, brightest and nearest to the earth. Thus, it is often the time where many associate the occasion with moon appreciation and even by having parties with family and friends.

The shape of these sweet round cakes is symbolic of the moon. Traditionally, they are brown with a sweet filling made with various ingredients. Today, they have an exotic range of sweet and savory filings. The mixtures include pork, duck, egg, lotus seeds, sugar and red bean-acquired taste for most people. These days, mooncakes come with green and even white skins and are non-baked.

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Expatriate Malaysia - Major Events & Festivals - Mooncake Festival

Expatriate Malaysia -
Major Events & Festivals - Mooncake Festival