The Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Usually, it comes in September or early October on the Gregorian calendar, when we can see a bright full moon. It is one of the most important festivals in China. Some other Asian countries also celebrate it with different names and customs.
中秋节，也叫月亮节，是中国的传统节日。它在农历八月十五。通常，公历的九月或者十月初就是中秋节，这一晚我们能看到明亮的满月。它是中国最重要的节日之一。亚洲其他一些国家也会庆祝这个节日，只是名称和习俗各不相同。
This festival stands for family reunion. The round full moon is a symbol of unity and completeness. People usually enjoy the moon, share mooncakes and take part in many colourful activities, such as watching lantern shows and traditional performances. Hundreds of years ago, people worshipped the moon. Slowly, it turned into a warm festival for family get-togethers.
这个节日代表着团圆。圆圆的满月是团聚圆满的象征。人们通常赏月、分食月饼，参加丰富多彩的活动，例如观赏灯展和传统表演。数百年前，人们会祭拜月亮。慢慢地，中秋节演变成一个阖家相聚的温馨节日。
The story of the festival started more than 3,000 years ago, in the Shang Dynasty. At that time, ancient Chinese people worshipped the moon to thank for good harvests. The festival became popular in the Tang Dynasty and was widely celebrated in the Song Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it grew into a big cultural festival.
这个节日的起源可以追溯到三千多年前的商朝。那时候，古人祭拜月亮，以此感谢丰收。中秋节在唐朝开始流行，到宋朝时已经被广泛庆祝。明清时期，它发展成为一项重要的文化节日。
The most famous story is about Chang’e, the goddess on the moon. Long long ago, Hou Yi shot down nine suns and got magic medicine that could make people live forever. To keep the medicine away from bad people, Chang’e drank it. Then she flew up to the moon and lived there alone. People tell this story every year. It shows people’s deep wish for family reunion.
最有名的故事是关于月宫仙子嫦娥。很久以前，后羿射下九个太阳，得到了可以让人长生不老的仙药。为了不让仙药落入坏人手中，嫦娥吃下了仙药。随后她飞向月宫，独自住在那里。人们每年都会讲这个故事，它寄托着人们对阖家团圆的美好期盼。
The festival comes after the autumn harvest. Farmers thanked nature for good crops. Mooncakes are round cakes for this festival. They have different fillings, like red beans and lotus seeds. Round mooncakes carry the meaning of a whole family staying together.
中秋节在秋收之后到来。农民感谢大自然赐予丰收。月饼是这个节日的圆形点心，有着红豆、莲子等不同馅料。圆圆的月饼，寓意一家人团聚在一起。
Families have many interesting customs. On festival night, families go outside to watch the full moon. They tell stories and read poems. Lanterns are everywhere. Kids carry small lanterns and people enjoy lantern riddles in parks. Some people drink sweet osmanthus wine. In some places, families put fresh fruit out to show thanks.
家家户户有许多有趣的习俗。节日当晚，一家人会到户外赏月，讲故事、吟诗。到处都挂满灯笼。孩子们提着小灯笼，人们在公园里猜灯谜。有些人会喝香甜的桂花酒。在部分地区，人们摆放新鲜水果，以此表达感恩。
Besides Chang’e, there are other old stories. Wu Gang keeps cutting a big osmanthus tree on the moon, but the tree grows back quickly every time. The cute jade rabbit lives with Chang’e and pounds medicine on the moon. These stories make the festival more wonderful.
除了嫦娥，还有其他古老传说。吴刚一直在月宫里砍伐一棵巨大的桂树，但这棵树每次都会快速复原。可爱的玉兔陪伴着嫦娥，在月宫捣药。这些故事让这个节日更加富有魅力。
The Mid-Autumn Festival connects people from different places. It tells people the importance of family and thanks. No matter where people are, sharing mooncakes and watching the moon bring love and warmth to everyone.
中秋节把各地的人们联系在一起。它告诉人们亲情与感恩的重要性。无论人们身在何方，分食月饼、仰望明月，都能为所有人带来爱与温暖。
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