Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s1.t2.42

v2.c12.s1.t2.42

It is celebrated on the 15^th day of eighth lunar month. It is one of the traditional Chinese folk festivals, and originated from the myth of Lady in the Moon. It was related to Buddhism later. In the Qing Dynasty, Beijing people cut watermelon into lotus petals and let moonlight shine on them, which symbolised fullness, or they drew lotuses on paper, and person sitting on lotus was named “Bodhisattva of Moonlight”, symbolising happiness and prosperity. Some women even went to Buddhist nunneries to join in on the celebrations.