中秋节 (Mid Autumn Festival)

English

农历的八月十五是华人的四大传统节日之一的中秋节。中秋节源自于上古祭拜天象的习俗，也称祭月节。祭月节早期是定在二十四节气中的 ”秋分“这一天。后来由于历史的发展，也使用阴历所以就定在农历的八月十五。

在这一天，人们会提灯笼，吃月饼和家人聚一聚。

在民俗上，这一天信众会祭月或拜太阴星君也称太阴娘娘。除了祭月，潮州人也会祭拜祖先。在拜太阴娘娘或祭月时，

拜太阴娘娘、祭月

最基本拜太阴娘娘的供品有-

  • 香烛
  • 茶
  • 鲜果
  • 芋头
  • 月饼
  • 水粉 （贴心提示：现代女性可以供上粉底和香水）- 总数单数就可以。
  • 拜太阴娘娘的拜料

祭祖

祭祖的供品基本有 –

  • 茶
  • 白米酒 （个人心愿）
  • 鲜果
  • 芋头
  • 月饼
  • 饭菜

Mid-autumn festival

Mid-autumn festival originated from the paying respect to the moon. Before the using of lunar calendar, the original date for mid-autumn was at Autumnal Equinox. when lunar calendar was introduced, the mid-autumn festival is fixed at 15th day of the lunar 8th month.

During this day, parents will light up the paper lantern for their kids (nowadays many of these lanterns battery operated), while moon-cake is the main dessert on table during family gathering.

On the folk culture tradition side of mid-autumn festival, believers will pray to the moon or Tai Ying goddess to seek blessing. In Teochew culture, we also pray to our ancestors.

Tai Yin goddess

Basic prayer items

  • Incenses & candle
  • Tea
  • Fruits
  • Mooncake
  • Baby Yam
  • Traditional powder (Tips for ladies: you may seek blessing with your brand new foundation)
  • Joss Paper

Ancestors

Basic prayer items

  • Tea
  • Rice Wine ( ok to omit)
  • Fruits
  • Baby Yam
  • Moon Cake
  • Rice and other food items
  • Joss paper