ORIGINS OF THE MOONCAKE AND MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
Mooncakes symbolise the gathering of friends and family,
and are an indispensable part of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
According to popular belief, the custom of eating mooncakes
began in the lat Yuan Dynasty (1280-1368). The Han people
of that time resented the Mongol rulers. Revolutionaries, led
by Chu Yuan-chang, plotted to overthrow the throne.
Chu neede to find a way of uniting the people to revolt of the
same day without letting the Mongol rulers learn of the plan.
Chu's close advisor, Liu Po-wen, camp up with a brilliant idea.
A rumor was spread that a plague was ravaging the land and
that only by eating a special mooncake could the disaster be
prevented. The mooncakes were then distributed only to the
Han people who found, upon cutting the cakes open, a message
urging them to join the rebellion. The people rose together on the
designated day to overthrow the Yuan, and ever since that time
mooncakes have been exchanged, savouring this triumphant
occasion.
[ 此帖被a.msia在04-01-2011 18:00重新编辑 ]
