Mid-Autumn Festival, on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is a festival of the middle autumn. What are the customs of Mid-Autumn Festival in the north? What food do people in the north eat during Mid-Autumn Festival? The Mid-Autumn Festival originated in the ancient times, became popular in the Han Dynasty, and was finally established in the Tang Dynasty. Click on Huayi Network to learn more about Mid-Autumn Festival content.

Customs of Mid-Autumn Festival in the North

During the Mid-Autumn Festival in the north, there are customs such as moon viewing, moon worship, eating mooncakes, and drinking osmanthus wine. In addition, there are some local characteristic customs.
1. In Beijing, people will worship the "Tuyue" (the Moon God). Tuyue is an old traditional toy in Beijing, which first appeared in the late Ming Dynasty and was used for moon worship.
2. In Tianjin, children will wear rabbit shoes and hats during the Mid-Autumn Festival, especially when viewing the moon, with the meaning of driving away evil and praying for good luck and longevity.
3. In Hebei, the Mid-Autumn Festival is called "Small Spring Festival", and on the paper illuminated by moonlight, there are images of the Moon Deity and Guan Yu reading the "Spring and Autumn Annals" at night.
4. In Shaanxi, men in Xixiang County will go boating and climb cliffs on the Mid-Autumn Festival, while women will arrange a feast. During the banquet, regardless of wealth or poverty, watermelon is always served.
5. In Shandong, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Qingyun County will worship the soil and grain gods. In Zucheng, Linyi, and Jimo areas, people will worship ancestors during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Guanxian, Laiyang, Guangrao, and Youcheng areas, people will host banquets for tenants during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Food Eaten During Mid-Autumn Festival in the North

1. Taro
In some places in the north, people eat taro during the Mid-Autumn Festival. According to folk legends, it has the meaning of warding off evil and disaster. Also, the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the harvest season for taro, so many farmers will prepare taro for moon worship or family reunion meals.
2. Mooncakes
Whether in the south or the north, people have the custom of eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, the mooncakes in the south and the north are different. Even though they are both sweet, northern mooncakes are generally larger and drier. Although they are not as delicate as southern mooncakes, they are not as greasy and heavy.
3. Dumplings
People in the north also eat dumplings during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Dumplings are a must-eat staple food in the north for festivals and other festive occasions. They are also one of the common staple foods in the north, symbolizing family reunion and happiness. Therefore, they are very suitable for eating during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
4. Osmanthus Wine
In the north, people also drink osmanthus wine during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is because the Mid-Autumn Festival is the time when osmanthus flowers bloom, and there is a custom of drinking wine and appreciating the moon. Therefore, many people brew wine using osmanthus and mountain grapes before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Osmanthus symbolizes prosperity, flourishing, and a large family. So drinking osmanthus wine during the Mid-Autumn Festival is a blessing for a happy and harmonious family life.