Our Chinese Lantern Project
Cultural Background to this Chinese Lantern Project:
The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival with a history dating back 3,000 years to worship the moon for bountiful harvests in China and other Asian regions. It's held on the 15th of the 8th lunar month in the Chinese calendar. It celebrates three fundamental concepts:
- Gathering - such as family and friends coming together, or harvesting crops for the festival. On this day the moon is the brightest and roundest which means family reunion.
- Thanksgiving - to give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions.
- Praying - for babies, a spouse, beauty, longevity, or for a good future.
On the day, lanterns are carried and displayed - symbolic beacons that light people's path to prosperity and good fortune.
The Project:
To connect and engage with the local Chinese community in celebrating this festival in 2021, as free gifts 150 handmade paper lanterns are being made by club members and will be given to Chinese residents of the Heritage Aged Care facility in Pennant Hills and other Chinese businesses in the area.
