All about the Moon: Mid-Autumn Festival
The 15th day of the 8th lunar month traditionally marks the Mid-Autumn Festival (often known as the Mooncake Festival) in China. The festival will fall on the 29th of September in 2023.
To celebrate this occasion, CI student Elizabeth Smyth delivered a famous Chinese love song “The Moon Represents My Heart” through her exceptional singing talent. CI teachers and CCNU’s international students also took us shopping for mooncakes in Wuhan.
We have previously introduced the festival’s origin, legends, poems and customs in our article “The Mid-Autumn Festival: Celebrating the Mandala of the Sky”.
The Moon Represents My Heart
To celebrate the festival this year, Elizabeth, our student from CI Chinese language class delivered a classical Chinese love song. “The Moon Represents My Heart” with her amazing rendition in Chinese. This song was made famous by the well-known singer Teresa Teng. It was often associated as a “love song with a waltz-like lilt”. Many artists have performed this song including English vocal group "Libera" and Grammy Award winning American musician Kenny G.
Please enjoy Elizabeth’s beautiful vocal performance and impressive pronunciation in Chinese lyrics.
The Moon Represents My Heart
Video: The Moon Represents My Heart by Elizabeth Smyth
To help you enjoy this beautiful song, lyrics are provided in Chinese, Pinyin and English translation.
| 你问我爱你有多深 nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn | You ask me how deeply I love you |
| 我爱你有几分 wǒ ài nǐ yǒu jǐ fēn | and how much I care about you |
| 我的情也真 wǒ de qíng yě zhēn | My affection is real |
| 我的爱也真 wǒ de ài yě zhēn | My deep love is real |
| 月亮代表我的心 yuèliàng dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn | The moon represents my heart |
| 你问我爱你有多深 nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn | You ask me how deeply I love you |
| 我爱你有几分 wǒ ài nǐ yǒu jǐ fēn | and how much I care about you |
| 我的情不移 wǒ de qíng bù yí | My feeling is unwavering |
| 我的爱不变 wǒ de ài bù biàn | My love remains unchanged |
| 月亮代表我的心 yuèliàng dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn | The moon represents my heart |
| 轻轻的一个吻 qīng qīng de yīgè wěn | A gentle kiss |
| 已经打动我的心 yǐjīng dǎdòng wǒ de xīn | already touched my heart |
| 深深的一段情 shēn shēn de yīduàn qíng | The deep love |
| 教我思念到如今 jiào wǒ sīniàn dào rújīn | makes me long for it till now |
| 你问我爱你有多深 nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn | You ask me how deeply I love you |
| 我爱你有几分 wǒ ài nǐ yǒu jǐ fēn | and how much I care about you |
| 你去想一想 nǐ qù xiǎng yī xiǎng | You think about it |
| 你去看一看 nǐ qù kàn yī kàn | You go to have a look |
| 月亮代表我的心 yuèliàng dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn | The moon represents my heart |
| 轻轻的一个吻 qīng qīng de yīgè wěn | A gentle kiss |
| 已经打动我的心 yǐjīng dǎdòng wǒ de xīn | already touched my heart |
| 深深的一段情 shēn shēn de yīduàn qíng | The deep love |
| 教我思念到如今 jiào wǒ sīniàn dào rújīn | makes me long for it till now |
| 你问我爱你有多深 nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn | You ask me how deeply I love you |
| 我爱你有几分 wǒ ài nǐ yǒu jǐ fēn | and how much I care about you |
| 你去想一想 nǐ qù xiǎng yī xiǎng | You think about it |
| 你去看一看 nǐ qù kàn yī kàn | You go to have a look |
| 月亮代表我的心 yuèliàng dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn | The moon represents my heart |
| 你去想一想 nǐ qù xiǎng yī xiǎng | You think about it |
| 你去看一看 nǐ qù kàn yī kàn | You go to have a look |
| 月亮代表我的心 yuèliàng dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn | The moon represents my heart |
Mooncake Delights
From being one of the offerings by the antient Chinese emperors to the moon goddess to now a must-have dessert and popular festive gift, mooncake has evolved in Chinese history!
The name “mooncake” first appeared in a book of the Song Dynasty (960-1276). At that time, it was some kind pastry in any random shapes. Starting from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), mooncake became the most popular Mid-Autumn Festival food. Mooncake is primarily round to reflect the shape of the Moon which also symbolizes reunion, perfection, and eternity. Over time, the varieties of mooncake are increasing with creativity and modern twists.
Shopping for mooncake is a serious business these days. The task could be challenging as there are so many options to choose from. Our Chinese language teachers and CCNU’s international students took us to buy some mooncakes in Wuhan’s supermarket.
Shopping Mooncakes with CI Teachers and CCNU’s International Students
Video: Shopping Mooncakes with CI Teachers and CCNU’s International Students
Besides the Cantonese-style and Su-style mooncakes introduced in the video, there are also Beijing-style, Yunnan-style, and Chaozhou-style. Each style has its different texture and flavours.
Beijing-style mooncakes were originated in Beijing, Tianjin, and the surrounding areas. They have moderate sweetness and crispy texture.
Yunnan-style mooncakes are popular in the provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou. They have loose crust and the unique fillings that are made of Yunnan-style ham.
Chaozhou-style mooncakes are traditional pastry food. They have a flatter body, white crust, and crispy sugar filling.
Here are some tips to enjoy mooncakes.
- Taste in small quantities. Eat a quarter of a mooncake at a time.
- If multiple flavours are offered in the selection, go for the savory one first then sweet after.
- Have it with tea. Mooncake’s rich flavour and tea’s fragrance are the magic combination.
- Refresh your palate with seasonal fruits after mooncakes.
Happy Mooncake Festival!
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.