Mid-AutumnFestivalisthefirstfestivalafterthebeginningofautumn,thedaypeoplecelebratetheharvest,Becausethefullmoonisroundandsymbolizesreunion,thefestivalisalsoknownasthefestivalofreunion.Inthisharvestandthereunionoftheday,peoplewillreunitewiththeirfamiliesunderthefullmoon,enjoytheresultsofhardwork;whenthefullmoonrisesattherighttime,peoplewillputonthetableinarichtributefruitsandmooncakes,Thankgodgivespeopletoharvestthefruit,theothertoprayforgoodweathernextyear.JustasturkeyssymbolizeThanksgivingDay,mooncakessymbolizeChina'sMid-AutumnFestival.
中秋节是立秋以后的第一个节日,是人们庆祝丰收的日子,洽逢十五月圆人团圆,因此中秋节对于华人来讲也象征着团圆.在这个丰收与团圆的日子里,人们会与家人团聚在满月下,享用辛勤劳动的成果;当满月升起的时侯,人们会在在贡桌上摆上丰盛的水果和月饼,一方面感恩上天赐予人们丰收的果实,另一方面祈祷来年风调雨顺.就像火鸡象征西方感恩节一样,月饼象征着中国中秋节.