THE ORIGINS OF THE MOONCAKE

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival cannot be without its most iconic treat, the mooncake (here in the pineapple-filled version we at Personal English have been sharing with our corporate students for this 2025 edition). But what is this tradition rooted in?

THE HISTORICAL LEGEND

This legend is rooted in a historically truthful context, which is the Mongol rule of China during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). During this time, gatherings were forbidden by the foreign invaders with a view to preventing rebellions. This resulted in Han Chinese rebels to find 'creative' ways to call secret gatherings - accordingly, rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang supposedly hid coded messages inside mooncakes distributed during the Mid-Autumn Festival, instructing people to revolt on a specific night and causing the downfall of the Mongol Dynasty and the establishment of the Ming one in its place. As fascinating as this story may sound, it lacks factual historical backing and it's just a legend.

THE FOLK TALE

The folk tale is even less credible, even though equally fascinating. In a time when no fewer than ten suns scorched the Earth, mythical archer Hou Yi managed to shoot down nine of them, thus saving humankind from doom. As a reward, he was gifted an elixir of immortality; however, since his greedy apprentice Peng Men tried to steal it from himself, Hou Yi's wife Chang'e drank the elixir herself. She and her jade rabbit (which is occasionally featured in mooncake decorations) became light and floated to the moon, which became their abode.

Left alone and missing his beloved wife, Hou Yi would place offerings of food, including mooncakes, on a moonlit altar to honor Chang'e and in an attempt to catch a glimpse of his now divine wife.

The round shape of the mmoncake symbolizes the full moon and completeness, representing the family reunion and the enduring love between mortal Hou Yi and immortal Chang'e.

We may never know how and when the mooncakes really originated, yet we do know they are here to stay. These pastries often feature a rich filling like lotus seed or red bean paste; in Cantonese tradition at the core of the lotus seed paste lies a salted duck egg yolk. Whatever version you fancy, they are all nutritious and delicious and the perfect snack to go moongazing at the brightest and fullest moon of the year, sharing stories and quality time with family and friends. They are also a common corporate gift for customers and stakeholders, featuring prominently in the gift-giving culture within the framework of guanxi.

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