Mid-Autumn Festival's culture and tradition in full bloom | Mooncake Spotlight ③

As the Mid-Autumn Festival draws near on October 6, we continue our "Mooncake Spotlight" series by exploring its culture and traditions through the enduring symbol of mooncakes.

Mooncakes are more than just a traditional pastry; they symbolize unity, heritage, and celebration in Chinese culture. Their cultural significance lies in their association with the festival's themes of reunion and gratitude.

(Photo: White Swan Hotel)

Inspired by the form of a swan egg, White Swan Hotel presents its signature "Swan Moon" mooncake series, whose sleek design embodies new beginnings and fullness. The moonlight-white textured packaging, adorned with an embroidered swan motif, exudes refinement and grace.

Since 2020, the hotel has hosted an annual "Swan Moon" parent-child handicraft class for families with special-needs children, fostering greater community inclusion. In addition, for every "Swan Moon" gift box purchased through its WeChat charity sales link, White Swan Hotel donates 9.9 yuan to support a Guangzhou-based organization dedicated to promoting family inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.

(Photo: White Swan Hotel)

With traditional Mid-Autumn blessings such as "huahao yueyuan" (花好月圆, literally "blooming flowers and full moon") symbolizing harmony, completeness, and family reunion, flowers bearing this auspicious meaning are often used during the holiday to convey good wishes and adorn traditional pastries.

Drawing inspiration from the seasonal rhythms of flowers, the design of LN Dongfang Hotel's mooncake series seamlessly blends the timeless beauty of the Twelve Floral Seasons with the oriental elegance of qipao — a traditional style of Chinese dress. Featured flowers in the collection include plum blossom, osmanthus, orchid, and Chinese rose. It captures the harmony between traditional aesthetics and modern design, transforming the Mid-Autumn theme of "Moonlit Reunion in the East" into a tangible and evocative visual experience.

(Photo: LN Dongfang Hotel)

In addition, traditional Chinese cultural elements have been reimagined in fresh and practical ways in modern mooncake presentations, merging festive blessings with enhanced practicality.

The St. Regis Zhuhai presents its Mid-Autumn gift box, "Weaving New Trends," inspired by traditional rattan craftsmanship and Eastern aesthetics. The design features a handwoven rattan clutch made from sustainable materials, blending retro elegance with modern style. Inside, four classic mooncake flavors offer a refined taste of tradition, making it both a fashionable accessory and a luxurious festive gift.

(Photo: The St. Regis Zhuhai)

InterContinental Guangzhou Exhibition Center's mooncake collection takes cues from traditional Chinese motifs, including the auspicious honeysuckle with a history spanning millennia. Its elegant design captures Lingnan charm through Cantonese-style window lattices, while delicate ginkgo leaf shadows scatter across the packaging, evoking a timeless Chinese romance. Rich Chinese red serves as the backdrop, enhanced by intricate Cantonese paper-cut patterns and gilded ginkgo leaves, adding a festive and luxurious touch to the collection.

(Photo: InterContinental Guangzhou Exhibition Center)

These thoughtfully crafted mooncakes and gift boxes not only delight the palate but also embody the artistry, culture, and symbolism of the Mid-Autumn Festival. They are perfect for sharing with family or presenting as gifts to loved ones. We extend warm wishes for a joyful and memorable Mid-Autumn Festival.