Moon festival
Today is the beginning of the Moon Festival in China. Mooncakes are the traditional delicacy but their red or black bean or egg yolk fillings have never appealed to me. One legend associated with them is as follows:
During the Yuan dynasty (1280-1368), China was ruled by Mongolians. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty, unhappy at submitting to foreign rulers, organised a coup. It was just before the Moon Festival and they ordered special cakes to be made. Baked into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels attacked and overthrew the government.
posted by Whispering Walls at 9:00 am
4 Comments:
The French have special red,white and blue mooncakes at their pavillion in Shanghai - apparently the most visited French attraction in the world ahead of the Eifel Tower and the Louvre. Now can you explain mooncake vouchers ? A rserve currency on the sly ?
From the image of the full moon, you could clearly see the shadow of a saintly Jade Rabbit, which was promoted to such status, as he sacrificed his life for his friends, an old hermit, a fox and monkey. It was the drought season and they couldn't find food, so Rabbit jumped on top of the fire, so that they could eat him.
You may also see the shadow of a fairy called Chang'er, who stole the immortality pill from her brutal husband, Hou'yi, the man who shot down 9 suns (thanks god, he left one!) and turned arrogant. Once she took the pill, she flew to the moon and is now the moon fairy. The poor man is not pleased.
I wonder if my blogging friends Geoff and Sally who are in China now have tried Mooncakes yet.
Hi Angus - sounds better than those scams for buying land on the moon.
Good to hear from you, Janet - wonderful tales!
Hope so, Ellee!
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