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

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-1996-04
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