Like most traditional festivals, the Moon Festival is steeped in legend. The ''Mid-autumn Festival'' probably started out as a celebration of the harvest season. But as time went on, and the celebration became more widespread, numerous stories sprang up about the date.

1. Chang'e
 

There are few versions, roughly the same is something about her husband, Houyi the Archer has shot down 9 Suns and left one in the sky. And because of some reasons (the reasons varies by versions), she ate a magic pill and flew to the Moon.

2. WuGang cutting Sweet Osmanthus tree
 

WuGang was punished by the God for some reason to cut the Sweet Osmanthus tree on the Moon, immortal Moon Sweet Osmanthus tree will regrow after cutting. WuGang has to cut the tree forever without rest.

3. Jade Rabbit blending Herbs
 


The legend says that there is a rabbit lives on the Moon, the whole body is white like a jade, so it's also called "Jade Rabbit". This rabbit use a jade stick, kneel down and blend the herbs to magic pill, after eating this pill may become angel.

4. Zhu YuanZhang and Moon Cake Rebelling
 

According to a widespread folk tale (not necessarily supported by historical records), the Mid-Autumn Festival commemorates an uprising in China against the Mongol rulers of the Yuan Dynasty (1280–1368) in the 14th century. As group gatherings were banned, it was impossible to make plans for a rebellion. Noting that the Mongols did not eat moon cakes, Liu Bowen of Zhejiang Province, advisor to the Chinese rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang, came up with the idea of timing the rebellion to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival. He sought permission to distribute thousands of moon cakes to the Chinese residents in the city to bless the longevity of the Mongol emperor. Inside each cake, however, was inserted a piece of paper with the message: "Kill the Mongols on the 15th day of the 8th Moon". On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), under Zhu. Henceforth, the Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated with moon cakes on a national level.

• Major Traditional Activities during the Festival

• Why is the Mid-autumn Festival so important?
Because it is related to the moon and Chinese people like the Moon very much. In Chinese culture, the full moon

	The full moon is traditionally a symbol for reunion, tuanyuan, as yuan means round. The Chinese people celebrate by coming together as families to eat, drink and be merry.

is a symbol of peace and prosperity of the whole family. On Chinese lunar August 15th the moon looks full round so people think this day is very propitious.

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