中秋节 The Mid-Autumn Day

每当人们看到中秋月圆，这一合家团圆的象征，思乡之情就会油然而生。
The full moon on the Mid-Autumn Day reminds people of their families and triggers their longing for a family reunion.

分散在各地的孩子们都在这一夜回家团聚看望老人和亲友。
It is for sure a time for people to come home to see their parents and relatives.

赶不回来的也要打电话回家问候长辈亲人。
And those who can not make it home would call to send a regards.

在这样一个月圆的节日里，祭月、赏月是必不可少的一种中秋习俗。
During this full moon holiday, sacrificial offerings and moon-gazing are essential customs.

中秋之夜，大家准备丰盛的瓜果和月饼，把最圆的水果当作供品祭拜月亮，其它的留给全家人，边赏月，边聊天，边品尝。
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Day, people have fruits and moon cakes, the most round food is offered to the moon, while the rest is for the family to enjoy as they appreciate the moon’s beauty.

月饼最早是用在祭月典礼中的一种供品。
Originally the moon cake was used only for sacrificial offerings during the Moon Ceremony.

后来逐渐演变成了民间中秋节必不可少的象征性食品。
Later it gradually became a symbolic food of the Moon Festival.

它和中秋夜圆圆的月亮一样，代表着团圆。
It resembles the full moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Day, representing reunion.

一家人祭月之后分食月饼，家里有多少人，就把月饼切成多少份，即使出门在外不能赶回家的亲人，也要算上，给他们留上一份，表示合家团圆。
After the entire family offers a sacrificial slice to the moon, they cut the rest in slices on the number of members of the family, including those family members who did not make it to the gathering.