Tết Trung Thu: Celebrating the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival with Mooncakes, Legends, and Gratitude to Mothers
Our Partner The Bloom. The Gifts From Vietnamese Nature.
In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival, known as Tết Trung Thu, is one of the most significant and cherished Traditional Holidays. It is a time of Celebration and Family Reunion, often observed on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which typically falls in September. The Festival is deeply rooted in Vietnamese Culture and serves as a tribute to the Harvest and the Moon.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, various customs and traditions are observed. One of the most Iconic aspects of the Festival is the colourful Lanterns that adorn the streets and houses. These Lanterns come in all shapes and sizes, featuring popular characters from folk tales, animals, and traditional symbols. Children, in particular, are enthusiastic about carrying and Parading these Lanterns, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Lanterns like the 10 Cranes Lighting up the Night Sky
The Legend of Lanterns.
Long ago, there was a Heavenly Emperor who had ten Sons, with the youngest being the most mischievous and playful. One day, the ten Princes decided to venture down to Earth to entertain themselves. They transformed themselves into ten beautiful Red-crowned Cranes and flew down to a village.
In the village, there lived a poor farmer and his wife, who were unable to have Children of their own. They were overjoyed when they stumbled upon the ten Cranes and decided to adopt them as their own Sons. The couple provided the Cranes with Love, Warmth, and Care, treating them as their Children. The youngest Cranes was particularly fond of the couple and developed a close bond with them.
However, the Heavenly Emperor realized that his Sons had gone missing and descended to Earth to look for them. Discovering that they had been transformed into Cranes and adopted by the farmer and his wife, he told the couple about their true identities.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Heavenly Emperor instructed the farmer and his wife to release the ten Cranes on this Special Occasion. He told them that during this Festival, the Moon is at its fullest and brightest, and the Cranes would be able to fly back to the Heavens with ease.
The farmer and his wife followed the Emperor's guidance and released the Cranes into the Sky during the Festival. As a token of their gratitude, the Cranes transformed into ten beautiful Lanterns, Lighting up the Night and Illuminating the Path of the villagers.
Since then, it has become a tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam for Children to carry colourful Lanterns and Parade through the streets, just like the ten Cranes Lighting up the Night Sky. The Lanterns symbolize Unity, Happiness, and the Hope for a Better Future.
Hart’s Selection Of Antique Mooncake Molds
Timeless Delight of Mooncakes in Vietnam
Another essential Tradition associated with the Festival is the sharing and consumption of Mooncakes. These round pastries symbolise the Full Moon and are offered to friends, family, and business partners as gifts. Mooncakes in Vietnam are typically filled with lotus seed or mung bean paste, along with various nuts, fruits, and sometimes salted egg yolks. The outer crust of the Mooncake is often elaborately patterned with intricate designs made with Hand-carved Wooden Mooncake Molds which hold a special place in Vietnamese Culture, serving as cherished Heirlooms passed down through Generations. These meticulously crafted Molds evoke a sense of Pride and Tradition, connecting Families to their Heritage and preserving the Artistry of Mooncake making. The intricate designs etched on these Molds not only create beautifully shaped Mooncakes but also symbolize the deep-rooted Love and Dedication that goes into Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hart’s Selection Of Antique Mooncake Molds
The Mooncakes also have several legends and stories associated with them. One of the most famous legends is the story of Cuội, a woodcutter who accidentally discovered the Realm of Heavenly Immortals during the Festival. Cuội's wife tied him to a Banyan tree to prevent him from getting lost, but he ended up floating to the Moon, forever becoming the "Man on the Moon." To commemorate this legend, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Children and Families gather to admire the Moon, believing that they can catch a glimpse of Cuội and other Mythical Beings.
Our Friends and Partners Cuoi Spirit Jewelry
Mother's Love in the Mid-Autumn Festival: A Celebration of Family and Togetherness
The Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is also an occasion to express gratitude to Mothers for their Unconditional Love and Care, and for providing a Happy Childhood to their Children. Parents often take the opportunity to spend quality time with their Children during this Festival, playing Traditional Games, making Mooncakes and telling Legends, watching Lion Dances, and participating in Lanterns Parades. This gesture of Thankfulness and appreciation towards Mothers elevates the Festival's significance as a time for Family Bonding and Unity.
There is one more heartwarming Festival Tale that embodies the Spirit of Maternal Love and Sacrifice.
The Legend of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, is a well-known myth associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. According to the Legend, there was a time when ten Suns appeared in the Sky, causing immense Heat and Drought. Only an archer named Hou Yi had the skills to shoot down nine of the Suns, saving Humanity. As a reward, he was granted the Elixir of Immortality.
Hou Yi loved his wife Chang'e dearly and wanted to share the Elixir with her. However, fearing the Power and Immortality would attract Greed and Harm, Chang'e chose to Protect Humanity by keeping the Elixir for herself. She consumed it and flew to the Moon, becoming the Moon Goddess who resided there.
Mid-Autumn Festival serves as a reminder of the Importance of Family, Love, and Harmonious Relationships in the World.
The Legend symbolizes a Mother's Selfless Love and Sacrifice for her Family. Chang'e's decision to preserve the Elixir and Protect Humanity showcases the Depths of Maternal Love. The Moon is considered a Symbol of Reunion and Family Reunion during the Mid-Autumn Festival. People offer Sacrifices and Mooncakes in honour of Chang'e, expressing their Gratitude and Respect for her Selfless act and reflecting on the Love and Sacrifice their Mothers have made for them.
This Legend serves as a beautiful reminder of the Profound Love and Sacrifice that Mothers demonstrate throughout their lives. The Festival itself provides an opportunity to appreciate and express gratitude to our Mothers for their unwavering Love and Support.
Overall, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is a joyous and vibrant celebration that brings Families and Communities Together. Through its Traditions, Legends, and expressions of Gratitude to Mothers, the Festival serves as a reminder of the Importance of Family, Love, and Harmonious Relationships in Vietnamese Culture.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, we are excited to announce our collaboration with Hart Upcycle, Cuoi Spirit Jewelry, and The 31!
In Hart Upcycle, we showcase the mesmerizing Vietnamese Tribal Arts and Crafts, representing the Precious Cultural Heritages of Vietnam. We ingeniously combine these Traditional Items with the innovative Concept of Upcycling, creating Timeless Treasures that embody Wisdom, Harmony, and Balance with Nature.
Cuoi Spirit Jewelry in Hart Upcycle
Cuoi Spirit Jewelry draws inspiration from the Moon, Natural Structures and Traditional Cultural Heritage Items. Their skilled artisans craft Exquisite Handmade Jewellery, covering copper or silver with luxurious gold. These pieces truly exemplify the Beauty of Artistic Expression.
The 31, is a renowned brand specializing in High-Quality Natural Clothing. Their designs are Inspired by the Harmonious Essence of Nature, and they offer a stunning range of clothes for the entire family.
Join us during this Festive Season to explore the Wonders of Vietnamese Cultural Heritage, adorn your beloveds with Stunning Jewellery, and discover Fashionable Clothing options that resonate with the Beauty of Nature.
To make your Celebrations even more Delightful, we have prepared beautiful Present Boxes that you can personalize with Gifts for your beloved Children, their Mothers, and the whole Family. We invite you to visit us at 25 Phan Boi Chau, Hoi An and 34 Vo Van Tan, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
