"The moon shines brighter in one's hometown." As a Chinese traditional festival carrying millennia of emotions, the Mid-Autumn Festival takes on a particularly vivid form in Henan. Here, it is not just about a full moon or a piece of mooncake but also about the kinship flowing through the rhythms of daily life, the rituals steeped in cultural significance, and the folk customs brimming with a passion for life.

During the Mid-Autumn season in Henan, the autumn harvest is still underway, yet the bonds of family never pause. People carry carefully selected mooncakes and fruits as they visit relatives and friends, filling the courtyards of aunts and uncles with laughter and chatter. Exchanging mooncakes and commenting on their flavors, gathering around a table to share a hearty family feast, and toasting to this year's harvest.

The sense of ritual is a vivid embodiment of traditional Chinese festivals in Henan. In the courtyards of Nanyang, household women arrange "offerings of five-colored fruits" and burn incense to worship the moon, praying for a bountiful harvest and family unity. Before the offering table in Zhoukou, the "Moon Palace plaque" depicting Chang'e and the Jade Rabbit stands quietly, recounting ancient legends. From the Song Dynasty, when men and women worshipped the moon together, to the Qing Dynasty, when it became a moment for women to offer prayers, these time-honored rituals reflect the heartfelt aspirations of the people of Henan for a better life.

For those seeking the vibrant essence of traditional Chinese festivals, the Mid-Autumn customs in Henan will not disappoint. Beneath the Iron Pagoda in Kaifeng, lantern-lighting activities dating back to the Han Dynasty illuminate the night sky, evoking a sense of ancient charm. At the Taihao Mausoleum market in Huaiyang, the whimsical "ninigou" clay figurines, featuring over 200 types of mythical birds and beasts, serve as "living fossils" that narrate the inheritance of ancient culture.

From family reunions to ritual prayers, from folk celebrations to cultural heritage, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Henan weaves the essence of Chinese traditional festivals into every detail, making the spirit of reunion and beauty even more captivating as time goes by.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao