As the hungry ghost festival comes to an end, the 8th month of the Chinese calendar welcomes the mid autumn festival with moon cakes being distributed and little children having lantern processions around the neighborhood. The mid autumn festival often has its many stories behind it. Putting aside literature and the various versions often written in stories, the moon cake festival as often told by the elders consists of a simple tale; one which tells about why the Chinese distribute moon cakes, and the festival itself.

Long ago, when the Chinese were under the rule of the Mongols, group gatherings were outlawed and therefore, in order to plan for a rebellion against their oppressors, the Chinese distributed moon cakes with messages hidden inside. What seemed like a normal exchange of festive cakes had actually more to it under its guise. On the 15th day of the 8th month, the rebels managed to overthrow the Mongols and which is why the tradition of giving moon cakes continues until today. The mid-autumn day is also the day where the worship of the moon goddess Chang’e takes place. Chang’e is believed to be a goddess who fell in love with a mortal, and because of this prohibited relationship, she was banished by the Gods to live in the moon and is only allowed once a year to visit her lover.