Import From China Business
A practical guide for starting a small business
2010-
Import from China
Sell on eBay
Sandra Kell
Ontario, Canada
Baby Products
Profit This Year: $10,400
“I started with $1,000 and began importing baby products from China. I sell them on eBay, Facebook and in my local stores. After 8 months, I am earning $400 a week. I finally quit my day job!”
Learn How
The Chinese Moon Festival takes place on the fifteenth day of the eighth month on the Chinese Lunar Calendar or in the fall sometime in September on the western calendar. It is always a full moon on this very special day.
This autumn festival commemorates the lady of the moon, Zhang O. According to folklore, the famous archer, Hou Yi was honored by the gods for his service around 2,000 B.C. He was awarded the pill of immortality. Unfortunately, his wife, Zhang O discovered the pill and swallowed it out of curiosity. She immediately ascended to the moon where she lives today.
The festival is also to commemorate the overthrown of the Yuan dynasty 4,000 years ago. The Chinese Moon Festival is similar to the American Thanksgiving which both occur in the fall. On the night of the Chinese Moon Festival, Zhang O is the most beautiful.
Origins of Chinese Moon Festival
Chinese Moon Festival
Here are some key activities that occur on this autumn festive night:
- The Chinese eat Moon Cakes during the festival. These are round pastries filled with various sweet filings such as preserves, fruit, bean paste. Lotus or sesame. Sometimes the Moon Cakes have an egg yolk in the center which makes them look like tiny moons.
- Parents allow children to stay up late on this festive night to eat moon cakes and watch and admire the moon. Couples also meet during that night to adulate the moon and its roundness which is supposed to represent wholeness.
- The moon is an international symbol of romance. On this night, the matchmaker, Yueh Lao is busy joining couples together with red silk threads.
- Legend has it that a Chinese patriot smuggled rebellion messages in the moon cakes. Instructions for an attack were baked inside the moon cakes. This helped the Chinese to over throw the Mongol dynasty which was invading the China at that time.
- Moon Cakes are on high demand a month prior to the moon festival similar to pumpkins being on high demand prior to the American Thanksgiving.
- To celebrate a fall harvest, the Chinese make beautiful lanterns where they participate in community parades.
Moon Cakes & Rituals of the Chinese Moon Festival
The Chinese Moon Festival is just one of several major festivals in China. They are in part legend, folklore, and ritual but they all influence the way the Chinese think and feel. By understanding the Chinese Moon Festival, it will help you to interact with the Chinese whether on a personal level or on a business level especially if you want to import from China.
Photo Credit: Porcelain Vase -