The Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, is a grand traditional festival in China.

每年农历八月十五的中秋节是中国盛大的传统节日。

A full moon is a symbol that reflects people’s wishes for a family reunion.

圆圆的月亮寄托了人们对家庭圆满的愿望。

In ancient times, the moon was always viewed as the symbol of brightness, purity and goodness by scholars, and it made people happy. Moreover, people regarded the moon as a testimony of heaven to human affairs. This kind of harmony between man and nature is a unique emotion shared by Chinese people, and is also the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

在古代文人眼中，月亮是光明、纯洁和美好的象征，带给人们美好的感受。人们将月亮看作上天对人事的见证。这种人与自然的和谐是中国人特有的情感，也是中秋节的起源。

According to legend, in ancient times, ten suns appeared in the sky at the same time. Being exposed to the scorching sunlight and the searing heat was unbearable for humans. Then a hero named Houyi emerged. He shot down nine suns, creating balance on Earth.

相传，在远古时代，天上同时出现了十个太阳。暴晒和高温使得民不聊生。有一名叫后羿的英雄出现，射下了九个太阳，拯救了世界。

Therefore, the Queen Mother gave him the Immortal Pill as a reward. Chang'e, the wife of Houyi, ate the elixir by mistake and became a fairy. She had to fly to the moon and cannot go back to the earth.

因此，王母娘娘赐予他不死神丹以示嘉奖。嫦娥，后羿的妻子，因误食神丹而羽化成仙。她只得飞向月亮，自此不能下凡。

Feeling immense sorrow and longing for his wife, Houyi set up an altar and offered sacrifices to the moon every year on the day of the full moon, hoping that Chang'e could see his devotion and eventually return to him. The villagers, moved by Houyi's story, also began to celebrate this day by gathering together, enjoying the bright moon, eating mooncakes, and sharing stories of reunion and love.

后羿因为思念妻子，每年在月圆之日都会设立祭坛，向月亮献祭，希望嫦娥能看到他的忠诚，最终回到他身边。村民们被后羿的故事所感动，也开始在这一天庆祝，他们聚在一起，欣赏明亮的月亮，品尝月饼，并分享团圆和爱的故事。

Over time, this custom evolved into the Mid-Autumn Festival we celebrate today. Families come together, breaking bread and mooncakes, under the glow of the full moon, to express their wishes for harmony, prosperity, and unity. Children delight in lanterns and playing games, while adults reminisce about the past and cherish the present moments with loved ones.

随着时间的推移，这一习俗逐渐演变成我们今天庆祝的中秋节。家人们聚在一起，在明亮的月光下共享美食和月饼，表达他们对和谐、繁荣和团结的祝愿。孩子们喜欢提着灯笼和玩游戏，而大人们则回忆过去，珍惜与亲人共度的时光。

The Mid-Autumn Festival is not just about the moon and mooncakes; it's a celebration of family bonds, cultural heritage, and the beauty of nature. It serves as a reminder that no matter how far apart we may be physically, our hearts and spirits can always be united by the shared memories and traditions that bind us together.

中秋节不仅仅关乎月亮和月饼；它是对家庭纽带、文化遗产和自然之美的庆祝。它提醒我们，无论我们在身体上相隔多远，我们都可以通过共同的记忆和传统将心灵联系在一起。