This year, 2020, the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day fell on the same day, which is very rare. So how often do the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day coincide? Let's take a look at the following content!

How often does the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day fall on the same day?

19 years cycle
The National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival were on the same day in 2001.
Every 19 years, the solar and lunar calendar birthdays fall on the same day.
Remember in 2001, the National Day on October 1st in the solar calendar and the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month were on the same day; 19 years earlier, in 1982, the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival also coincided; 19 years earlier, in 1963, the Mid-Autumn Festival was on October 2nd, only one day apart. Whether it's the lunar month or the solar year, their exact number of days are not integers but decimals. There are small differences in the number of days between the lunar and solar calendars over 19 years. After accumulating for decades or even centuries, these decimals become large numbers, leading to this phenomenon, but generally, they differ by only one day.

What are the traditional customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Ritual of Worshiping the Moon (Worshiping the Moon)
Worshiping the moon is a very ancient custom in China, actually a form of worship of the "Moon God." In ancient times, there was a custom called "worshipping the moon in autumn evening." "Evening moon worship" refers to worshipping the moon god. Since ancient times, people in some areas of Guangdong have had the custom of worshipping the moon god (worshipping the Moon Mother, worshipping the Moon Light) on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Setting up a large incense stand, placing mooncakes, watermelons, apples, red dates, plums, grapes, and other sacrificial items. Under the moonlight, place the "moon god" tablet facing the direction of the moon, light red candles high, and the whole family takes turns worshiping the moon, praying for blessings and protection. Worshiping the moon and admiring the moon, entrusting thoughts to the moon, express people's beautiful wishes. The ritual of worshiping the moon, as an important rite of the Mid-Autumn Festival, has been passed down from ancient times to the present, gradually evolving into folk activities such as moon viewing and moon praising. It has also become the main form for modern people to long for reunion and express their hopes for a better life.
Lighting Lanterns
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there is a custom of lighting lanterns to enhance the moonlight. Nowadays, in the areas of Huguang, it is still common to stack tiles into a tower and light them on top. In the Jiangnan area, there is a custom of making boat-shaped lanterns. The custom of lighting lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival became even more popular in modern times. In the article "A Discussion on Seasonal Matters in Leisure Time" by Zhou Yunjin and He Xiangfei, it says: "In Guangdong, lanterns are the most abundant. Families start making bamboo frames for lanterns about ten days before the festival. They shape them into fruits, birds, beasts, fish, insects, and words like 'Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival,' and cover them with colored paper painted in various colors. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, candles are lit inside the lanterns, tied to bamboo poles, and raised high on the roof or terrace, or arranged in the shape of characters or various forms, hung on high places of the house, commonly known as 'Tree the Mid-Autumn Festival' or 'Raise the Mid-Autumn Festival.' The lanterns hung by wealthy families can be several zhang tall, and the family gathers under the lanterns to enjoy drinking and happiness. Ordinary people set up a pole with two lanterns, which also brings them joy. The entire city is filled with lights, as if it were a world of glass." The custom of lighting lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival seems to be second only to the lantern festival of the Lantern Festival.
Admiring the Moon
The custom of admiring the moon originated from moon worship, turning a solemn sacrifice into a relaxed and joyful activity. It is said that on this night, the moon is closest to the Earth, appears largest and brightest, so since ancient times, people have had the custom of dining and admiring the moon. Married women returning to their parents' home must return to their husband's home on this day, symbolizing completeness and auspiciousness. Written records of the Mid-Autumn Festival's moon-watching activities appeared during the Wei and Jin dynasties, but it did not become a common practice. By the Tang Dynasty, moon-watching and moon-playing became prevalent, and many famous poems by poets contain lines praising the moon.