The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival

https://culturepedia.chinadaily.com.cn/#/articleDetailPage/2101575454648807424 The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the most cherished traditions in Chinese culture. Its roots stretch back over 3,000 years to the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256 BC), where it began as an imperial ritual. During this time, the emperor would perform ceremonies to honor the sun in spring and the moon in autumn, reflecting the ancient belief in nature worship. The moon, in particular, was revered for its influence on agriculture and the calendar. Initially, these moon-worshipping rites were exclusive to the emperor and not yet a widespread folk festival. The transition to a public celebration began during the Wei (220-265), Jin (265-420), and Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-581). It was then that the literati started to appreciate the moon's beauty through poetry and gatherings, setting the stage for the festival's evolution.