Mid-Autumn Festival 17 Sep 2024

Mid-Autumn Festival

For many Asian cultures, the point at which the moon reaches its fullest during the harvest season marks the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival. It"s traditionally observed on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Dating back more than 3,000 years to China"s Shang Dynasty, this festival celebrates moon watching and the end of the harvest season. During the festivities, mooncakes—round delicacies filled with sweet bean paste, salted egg yolks or lotus seeds—are often shared among friends and family. Lanterns of different shapes, sizes and hues, symbolising good fortune, illuminate the night. Asian communities across the world come together to showcase a mélange of cultural performances, heartfelt renditions of the Moon Festival"s poetic tales.

© Victor Y. Zhuo/Alamy Stock Photo

palette

Today in History

Crystal clear
17 Sep 2025A young bull moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

15 Jan 2024Pont Alexandre III, Paris, France
14 Jul 2026Shark Awareness Day
9 Apr 2026Sgwd yr Eira waterfall, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Wales
An old bridge in a new light
6 Jun 2026National Trails Day
The cliffs and canyons of Zion National Park
3 Dec 2024Amber Fort, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Big rocks, big heads
From victory to festivity
Happy Mothers Day!
Two hungry baby beavers
The mystery of Stonehenge
28 Oct 2023Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Finding maths in nature
Sep 4, 2023Labor Day
12 Jan 2026Eurasian otter and pup, Estonia
24 Mar 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
8 Nov 2024Glacial rivers, Iceland
29 Jan 2024Gollinger Waterfalls, Salzburg, Austria
Picture perfect
7 Nov 2023Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania
12 Sep 2024World Dolphin Day
7 May 2024A duckling swimming in a water meadow, Suffolk, England
31 Oct 2024Happy Halloween!
7 Jun 2024World Oceans Day
29 Oct 2024Great horned owl
12 Apr 2024Arches National Park, Utah, USA
7 Dec 2023Verdon Gorge, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
A seal of smiles
Hovering over harmonious horticulture