Mooncakes as Cultural and Political Symbols: From Ancient Folklore to Modern Protest
Mooncakes, which hold significant cultural value, are traditional treats associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated on September 21. These pastries trace their roots back to ancient Chinese harvest festivities during the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BCE), where they were presented to deities such as Taijam Noengnoeng. The festival's legend revolves around Seuhng Ngo (Chang'e), the moon goddess who ingested an elixir of immortality and ascended to the moon. During the Yuan dynasty, Ming revolutionaries cleverly concealed anti-Mongolian messages within mooncakes. In 2019, bakeries in Hong Kong, Wah Yee Tang and Taipan, ignited debate by imprinting protest slogans on their mooncakes. Known as 中秋節 (jung-chau jit), the festival honors agricultural prosperity and lunar reverence, featuring traditional fillings like lotus seed paste and salted duck egg yolk.
Key facts
- The Mid-Autumn Festival occurs on September 21 this year, aligning with the Harvest Moon
- Mooncakes traditionally contain fillings like lotus seed paste and a salted duck egg yolk symbolizing the moon
- The festival's origins trace back to the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) and worship of Taijam Noengnoeng
- The moon goddess Seuhng Ngo (Chang'e) consumed an immortality elixir and floated to the moon to watch over her husband Hou Yi
- Ming revolutionaries used mooncakes to smuggle secret messages during the Yuan dynasty to overthrow Mongolian rulers
- In 2019, Hong Kong bakeries Wah Yee Tang and Taipan stamped mooncakes with protest phrases like 'Hongkonger' and 'be water'
- The phrase 'be water' was inspired by Bruce Lee and described Hong Kong protesters' fluid tactics
- The Harvest Moon historically allowed farmers to harvest crops longer under moonlight before electricity
Entities
Artists
- Bruce Lee
Institutions
- Wah Yee Tang
- Taipan
Locations
- Hong Kong
- China