Tuesday 17 September was the second biggest festival for Chinese people - the Mid Autumn/ Moon Festival.

Festival origins

The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar - effectively the middle of autumn on the occasion of a full moon.

These two elements are key to understanding the origins of why the celebration is known by its two most frequently used names - the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Moon Festival.

The clearer air that comes with the change of seasons at this time of year in northern parts of Asia makes the moon appear larger than it does in other months, enticing families to gather and gaze at the impressive glow of light in the night sky.

This latter aspect explains why the celebration is sometimes called the Reunion Festival - when people of all ages reunite in celebration of romance, tradition and nostalgia.

Happy Moon Festival celebrations to all our staff members, students and their families who celebrate it!

祝所有学生及家人中秋节快乐!