Cultural Traditions and Mid-Autumn Festival

Every autumn, communities across Asia pause to honour and celebrate the harvest and full moon. Whether through lanterns, dances, or family gatherings, these cultural celebrations carry deep psychological meaning of shaping our sense of identity, family, and belonging.

Across Asia:

• China & Taiwan: The Mid-Autumn Festival

• Vietnam: The Children’s Festival (Tết Trung Thu)

• South Korea: Chuseok

• Japan: Tsukimi

Traditions can look different in every culture, however, most share common themes.

• Gatherings, lion dances, parades, family reunions

• Traditional foods such as mooncakes, rice cakes, wines

• Rituals, lanterns, poetry, ancestral rites, mood goddess, jade rabbit, man in the moon

Research shows that rituals reinforce cultural identity and strengthen belonging (Hobson et al., 2018). These traditions offer more than just celebration. They increase mood and amplify positive emotions, while strong social bonds buffer against loneliness (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). For those who live away from family or outside of Asia, celebrations can look different. Finding ways to engage in traditions through local events, sharing food with friends, and talking to family can greatly improve mental health.

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References:

• Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily

   life. Journal of personality and social psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.84.2.377

• Hobson, N. M., Schroeder, J., Risen, J. L., Xygalatas, D., & Inzlicht, M. (2018). The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework. Personality and social psychology review : an official journal of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc, 22(3), 260–284. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868317734944