Dragons at Under the Autumn Moon Festival, Portland, Oregon, 1996

Title: Dragons at Under the Autumn Moon Festival, Portland, Oregon, 1996
LC Subject: Festivals Mid-autumn Festival Dragons
Local Collection ID: P345
Creator: Williams, Chuck, 1943-
Photographer: Williams, Chuck, 1943-
Description: The Autumn Moon Festival is a harvest festival celebrated in China and across many east Asian countries. The festival dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) and takes place outdoors during an autumn full moon, usually in September or October. The festival is nearly as important a holiday in the Chinese calendar as is the Chinese Lunar New Year and is a legal holiday in many countries. The moon’s perfectly round shape is a symbol of family harmony and unity. Even if they are apart, loved ones are united as they gaze up at the moon together. Common festivities as part of Portland's festival include a lantern viewing, performances of dragon and lion dances, opera and storytelling, poetry and calligraphy activities, and eating mooncakes, a rich pastry decorated with designs and filled with a variety of fillings including seeds, nuts, date paste, and smashed beans. Additionally, there are many games played at twilight regarding flights of the soul, spirit possession, or fortune telling.
Work Type: color photographs photographs
Location: Portland >> Multnomah County >> Oregon >> United States
Date: 1996
Identifier: p345:Autumn-Moon-Festival-1996-03
Rights: In Copyright
License: Creative Commons: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Local Collection Name: Chuck Williams Photographs (P 345)
Type: Image
Format: image/jpeg
Set: Chuck Williams Photographs Oregon Multicultural Archives OSU Special Collections & Archives Research Center
Primary Set: Chuck Williams Photographs
Institution: Oregon State University