The choice of the festival’s theme — celebrating the glories and mysteries of the moon — was a natural. Along with the sun, the moon has long been an object of human curiosity and worship. “It is probable that sun and moon were early held to be deities and that they were the first visible objects of worship,” according to the book “Sketches of the History of Man.”

To the most ancient ancestors of the Chinese, the sun and the moon were considered the “chief objects of veneration,” according to records dating to the Han dynasty emperor Wu Di (157-87 B.C.).

In ancient Asian autumn mooncake mythology, there is a strong relationship between the moon and water. The moon is said to regulate reservoirs and supplies of water. There is a suggestion that the moon produces fertility and freshness in the soil. The moon’s role in bountiful harvests is widely recognized during autumns around the world.

In Chinese celestial cosmology, the moon represents the female principle, or yin. During ancient Mid autumn festival, women took center stage because the moon is considered feminine. Only women took part in Moon cakes Festival rituals on the night of the full moon. Altars would be set up in households, and when the full moon appeared, women would make offerings of incense, candles, fruit, flowers, and mooncakes.

The enduring legend of the Moon Goddess, Chang E (Chang E in other transliterations), reflects the feminine principle of yin, as opposed to the masculine principle of yang, which is symbolized by the sun.

Source: http://www.moonfestival.org/overview.htm

The Definations

Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as “Harvest Festival”, which is one of the most well known Chinese Festival none other than the “moon festival”

The Date -
The autumn mooncake Festival also known as Chinese Moon cakes Festival is on the 15th moon day of 8th Chinese lunar month (Chicken month). Since the new moon day is the first day of a Chinese Lunar Month. The first day of 8th lunar month in the year 2009 is 19th September 2009, the Moon Festival is on 3rd October 2009.

This is a day to worship the moon god. According to folk legend, this day is also the birthday of the earth god (T’u-ti Kung). This festival signals that the year’s hard work in the fields will soon come to an end, with only the harvest left to attend to. People use this opportunity to express their gratitude to heaven (represented by the moon) and earth (symbolized by the earth god) for the blessings they have enjoyed over the past year.

The Chinese believe in praying to the moon god for protection, family unity, and good fortune. The round “moon cakes” eaten on this festival are symbolic of family unity and closeness. Pomelos are also eaten on this day. The Chinese word for “pomelo” or “grapefruit” is yu, which is homophonous with the word for “protection,” yu, expressing the hope that the moon god give them protection. Moon gazing is another essential part of this festival.

On this day, the moon is at its roundest and brightest. This is also a time for lovers to tryst and pray for togetherness, symbolized by the roundness of the moon. Unlike most other Chinese festivals, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a low-key holiday, characterized by peace and elegance.

Source: http://kevdesign.com/midautumnfestival/

Why join in pop guitar classes in Singapore? Do we need to? Why study pop music classes in the first place? These questions are plaguing the minds of most students who are probably thinking the same thing while in music class.

Yet the solutions to these queries are basic. We learn music because it is around us, it is a general language told in every tongue, in every culture. It is inherent, vibrant and convincing. When we listen to famous songs on the radio, doesn’t it make us desire to sing or dance along. Songs can soften the heart of even the strongest bad guy, it is strong.

Most of us are acquainted with the five essential areas of study: mathematics, language, literature, physical science and arts. Music go to the arts and is one of the field’s most dominant forms of expression. In other words, music is a manifestation of the soul.

Originality and Self-expression

Those of us who are finished with school would say that we have been sufficiently educated in mathematics, language, literature and science. But in those fields a right answer is always needed. There is always a right and a wrong. 1+1 is always equal to 2. But, in music, no correct answer is required. Tunes brings steadiness to a class where precision is expected because harmony can tolerate mistakes.

These mistakes in turn, permit us to express ourselves without fright or judgment. It permits us to produce something that calms, go well with and reflects our character. Say for example that you intend on joining up pop guitar programs in Singapore. The guitar can be an instrument to show your likes and dislikes. Do you like classical music, rock or folk music? Do you like to be a rock performer, a country singer or a music writer? Another benefit of learning to play an instrument like the guitar is that it creates an opportunity for us to achieve something. You can proudly say: “I can perform the pop guitar”. The sense of having reached something through hardwork is a high that lasts for a long time.

Sharing Your Talents

Being competent to play an instrument like the guitar and performing that instrument for your friends is an experience few of us can take pleasure in. Being able to express your inventiveness through music is a cool activity.

Understanding to perform the guitar is one of the things nobody can ever steal away from you. It is yours for life. Learning to perform an instrument affirm your distinctiveness, and the study of music permits us to learn that uniqueness within us all. Wait no longer, join for pop guitar classes in Singapore now!

Source: http://www.floweradvisor.com.sg/lifestyle/interests/music/130294/choosing_pop_guitar_classes_in_singapore/

See Also : Mid autumn festival, Moon cakes festival, Autumn mooncake