In Taiwan, the Mid-Autumn Festival means smoky barbecues and families laughing under the full moon. In Korea, the season is also celebrated, though with different customs and a distinctive atmosphere. Called “Chuseok,” it usually lasts three days and centers on harvest traditions and ancestor worship.
During Chuseok, Koreans follow traditions passed down for generations. In spite of their busy routines, many families return to their hometowns to conduct memorial rites. An elaborate table is prepared with an array of traditional foods to thank their ancestors for the harvest. Another custom involves visiting ancestral burial sites, where families clean the graves and present offerings. This practice strengthens family bonds and honors people’s ancestors.
Food also plays a role in the celebration, especially with traditional treats like songpyeon. This is a half-moon-shaped rice cake filled with ingredients such as sesame seeds, chestnuts, or red beans. More than just a tasty treat, songpyeon holds meaning in its shape. Koreans believe the half-moon shape represents growth and success as it moves toward fullness. As a result, eating songpyeon is believed to bring abundance and prosperity.
Photo: Freepik / 照片：Freepik
Beyond rituals and food, Chuseok features traditional games and performances. One well-known example is “ganggangsullae,” a circle dance performed by women in hanbok dresses under the full moon. Through these activities, participants express appreciation for the year’s harvest and hope for future happiness. With each shared meal and dance beneath the moon, Chuseok weaves together memory, gratitude, and the living heart of Korean tradition.
在臺灣，中秋節意味著煙霧繚繞的烤肉和家人在滿月下歡聲笑語。在韓國，這個時節同樣受到慶祝，儘管有著不同的習俗和獨特的氛圍。這個節慶被稱為秋夕，通常持續三天，以慶祝豐收和祭祖為中心。
秋夕期間，韓國人遵循世代相傳的傳統。儘管日常生活繁忙，許多家庭仍會返鄉舉行祭祀儀式。他們會準備豐盛的餐桌，擺放各種傳統食物來感謝祖先所賜予的豐收。另一個習俗是前往祖墳，在那裡家人們會清理墓地並獻上供品。這種習俗加深家人間的情感，也表達對祖先的敬意。
食物在慶祝活動中也扮演著重要的角色，尤其是像松片這樣的傳統點心。松片是一種半月形的年糕，裡面填滿了芝麻、栗子或紅豆等食材。松片不僅僅是一種美味的點心，它的形狀更蘊含象徵意義。韓國人認為半月形代表著成長和成功，因為它正朝向圓滿前進。因此，人們相信吃松片會帶來富足和繁榮。
除了儀式和美食，秋夕還有傳統的遊戲和表演。其中一個著名的例子是羌羌水月來，這是一種由身著韓服的婦女在滿月下圍成一圈進行的舞蹈。透過這些活動，參與者表達了對一年豐收的感激並祈求未來的幸福。隨著每一次在月光下的共餐和舞蹈，秋夕將記憶、感恩和韓國傳統的鮮活內核交織在一起。
MORE INFORMATION
smoky adj. 煙霧彌漫的
rite n. 儀式
sesame n. 芝麻
chestnut n. 栗子
abundance n. 豐盛；充足
ganggangsullae n. （韓文）羌羌水月來（為韓國一民俗歌舞，通常由婦女在滿月下表演，西元2009年被列為聯合國教科文組織的世界非物質文化遺產）
KEY VOCABULARY
1. atmosphere n. 氣氛；空氣；大氣層
I like to read books and sip tea in the relaxed atmosphere of this cafe.
我喜歡在這家咖啡廳輕鬆的氛圍中看書和喝茶。
2. ancestor n. 祖先
ancestral adj. 祖先的；祖傳的
Lillian has traced her ancestors back to 17th-century Scotland.
莉莉安的祖先可以追溯到西元 17 世紀的蘇格蘭。
3. memorial adj. 紀念性的；追悼的
The town built a memorial park to honor the soldiers who lost their lives in the war.
該鎮建造了一座紀念公園，以紀念在戰爭中犧牲的士兵。
4. burial n. 埋葬；葬禮
Traditional burial customs vary from culture to culture around the world.
世界各地的傳統埋葬習俗因文化而異。
5. grave n. 墳墓；墓穴
The children placed flowers on their grandmother’s grave during the visit to the cemetery.
孩子們在造訪墓園時，把花放在祖母的墳墓上。
6. strengthen v. 增強；鞏固
Zach runs five kilometers every morning to strengthen his body.
查克每天早上跑五公里以增強他的體格。
7. celebration n. 慶祝（活動）
This dinner party is in celebration of Louise’s promotion at work.
這場晚宴是要慶祝露易絲的升職。
8. prosperity n. 繁榮；興旺
Thanks to its valuable exports, the country is experiencing economic prosperity.
這個國家因為它值錢的出口品而享受經濟繁榮。
9. gratitude n. 感謝；感激之情
Jill expressed gratitude to Haley for driving her to the doctor when she was in pain.
吉兒對海莉在她疼痛時載她去看醫生表達感激。
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