The mid-autumn festival is the second most important traditional festival in China after the Spring Festival. It is celebrated on the 15thday of the 8thlunar month. A year is divided into four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter, and according to traditional Chinese calendar, each season is divided into three phases. The 8thlunar month is the second month in autumn, and the 15thday is in the middle of the month. That’s how the festival gets its name: the Mid-Autumn Festival.
中秋节是中国重要性仅次于春节的第二大传统节日，庆祝时间为每年的农历八月十五。根据中国传统历法，一年分春、夏、秋、冬四季，每季分为三个阶段，农历八月十五为秋季的第二个月，称为仲秋，而农历八月十五为仲秋之中，故称中秋。
The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the ancient people’s worship of the moon. In the documents of the Western Han Dynasty, there are records of Chang’s flying to the moon and Wu Gang cutting an osmanthus. The festival came into being in the Song Dynasty and became important in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
中秋节源自古人对月亮的祭祀与崇拜。西汉的文献中便有嫦娥奔月、吴刚伐桂的记载，而节日的形成源自宋代，明清时，中秋节已成为重要的节日。
Celebrations during the Mid-Autumn Festival are worshiping and appreciating the moon, eating mooncakes, enjoying osmanthus blossoms and drinking wine fermented with osmanthus flowers, all of which can date back to the ancient time.“Family reunion”is the theme of the Mid-Autumn Festival, during which the full moon means the full attendance of family members, and the mooncake is a symbol of cherishing. Chinese culture has such a huge influence that the Mid-Autumn Festival has been introduced into countries in East and Southeast Asia, and is greatly treasured by overseas Chinese there.
中秋节自古便有祭月、赏月、拜月、吃月饼、赏桂花、饮桂花酒等习俗，这些习俗流传至今，绵延不绝。“阖家团圆”是中秋节的主题，中秋节以月圆寓人圆，以月饼寓意团圆，寄托思念之情，月饼成为中秋节亲朋间联系感情的重要礼物。受中华文化的影响，中秋节的庆祝传统也传播到东亚和东南亚一些国家，成为当地华人华侨的重要节日。
In 2006, the Mid-Autumn Festival was listed by the Chinese State Council in the first batch of Intangible Culture Heritage of the country. Since 2008, Chinese people have enjoyed the annual public holiday of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
2006年，中秋节被国务院列入首批国家级非物质文化遗产名录。自2008年始，中秋节被列为国家法定假日。
资料来源：《用英语介绍中国传统文化》
