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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gerald W. Williams is a native of Oregon and earned degrees from Southern Oregon University (B.A., Sociology; M.A. General Studies Social Science) and Washington State University (Ph.D., Sociology). Williams worked for the U.S. Forest Service from 1979 until his retirement in 2005. From 1979 to 1993, he was a sociologist with the Umpqua and Willamette National Forests in Oregon; in 1993-1998, he served as the regional sociologist for the Pacific Northwest Regional Office in Portland; and from 1998 until his retirement in 2005. He was the national historian for the U.S. Forest Service in Washington, D.C. Williams designed and implemented a regional and national history program for the Forest Service which culminated in his appointment as national historian. He has published more than 75 books, chapters, book reviews, and articles and conference papers exploring a variety of historical topics such as the Native American use of fire to manage environments, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the U.S. Army's Spruce Production Division during World War I.