This doodle celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Tet Trung Tu in Vietnam and Chuseok in Korea. The holiday has been observed since the 10th century BC. Celebrated in the 1st century BC, it always falls during the full moon on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in many regions, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, and Korea. Since ancient times, people have celebrated by making offerings of melons, pomegranates, and sweet treats under the moonlight.
Today’s celebrations vary by region, but there are some commonalities everywhere. The festival’s central treat is the mooncake, which is often given as a gift and featured in graffiti artwork. These snacks are usually round and shaped like a full moon. They can be sweet or savory and are served with a variety of fillings, such as lotus seed paste, salted egg yolk, fruit or custard. Colourful paper lanterns are also a Mid-Autumn Festival staple; at night, homes and shops are lit up and floating lanterns can also be seen on the water.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone! 🏮