The Mid-Autumn Festival has the custom of burning incense in a "dou" (a type of incense holder), which is commonly practiced in the Jiangsu region. What happens if the incense in the "dou" falls over during the Mid-Autumn Festival? What is the meaning behind burning incense in the "dou" during the Mid-Autumn Festival? Click on Huayi Network to learn more about the Mid-Autumn Festival content.

The consequences of the incense falling over during the Mid-Autumn Festival

If the incense in the "dou" falls over during the Mid-Autumn Festival, it actually doesn't have any auspicious or ominous significance.
Because the incense can't be controlled while it's burning, so it's quite common for it to fall over, and there's no need to worry too much.
Burning incense in the "dou" is a custom in the Jiangsu region. The "dou" is surrounded by gauze and embroidered with scenes of the moon palace. Some "dous" are made from incense sticks, with paper-cutting of the "Kui Xing" and colorful banners placed on top.

The meaning of burning incense in the "dou" during the Mid-Autumn Festival

Burning incense in the "dou" during the Mid-Autumn Festival, like the customs of worshiping the moon and lighting lanterns, symbolizes people's wishes for a bountiful harvest and a happy family reunion.

What is the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from ancient celestial worship and is a remnant of the moon-worshipping customs.
During the "Autumn Equinox" in the 24 solar terms, it was an ancient "Moon Worship Festival." The Mid-Autumn Festival evolved from the traditional "Moon Worship." In traditional culture, the moon and the sun were both regarded as celestial bodies that alternated in the sky, becoming objects of worship for the ancestors. The celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the ancient people's worship of the moon, and it is a preservation and development of the Chinese nation's moon-worshipping customs. Moon worship was an ancient practice in China, essentially an act of worship of the "Moon God" by some ancient people in certain regions. According to research, the original "Moon Worship Festival" was set on the day of "Autumn Equinox" in the Ganzhi calendar. However, due to historical development, later calendar integration led to the use of the lunar calendar (the Xia calendar), so the "Moon Worship Festival" was moved from the "Autumn Equinox" in the Ganzhi calendar to the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a comprehensive seasonal custom, and its festival elements have ancient origins.