Introduction

　　The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls in September or October. It is a time for families to gather together, enjoy mooncakes and appreciate the beauty of the full moon. In addition, many poets have created beautiful verses to express their feelings and impressions about this festival throughout history. In this article, we will explore some of the most famous and meaningful Chinese poetry related to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

　　

1. Su Shis "Moonlit Night" (寒夜别友人家)

　　Su Shi, also known as Su Dongpo, was a great poet, prose writer, calligrapher, and painter in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD). In his poem "Moonlit Night," he expresses his nostalgic feelings towards his hometown and friends while admiring the bright moon.

　　

1. The bright moon shines upon the vastness,
2. The cool breeze brings the sound of the pines;
3. Burning incense of sandalwood is fragrant,
4. The jade rabbits shadow seems to sway.

2. Li Bais "Drinking Alone with the Moon" (月下独酌)

　　Li Bai, also known as Li Bo, was a famous Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) poet who was known for his free spirit and love of drinking. In his poem "Drinking Alone with the Moon," he portrays himself as a lone drinker under the bright moon, expressing his thoughts on life and loneliness.

　　

1. I raise my cup to invite the bright moon,
2. And ask the shining stars to drink with me;
3. For every one of them will share the joys of life with me,
4. I sing and the moon dances.

3. Huang Tingjians "Lunar Eclipse" (月蚀)

　　Huang Tingjian was a famous poet, calligrapher, and painter in the Northern Song Dynasty who was known for his deep understanding of Buddhism and Taoism. In his poem "Lunar Eclipse," he depicts the rare scene of a lunar eclipse and uses it as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of human life.

　　

1. Bright lights illuminate the night sky,
2. the round moon suddenly disappeared from sight;
3. It radiates brilliant light and then fades away,
4. as if the fate of man is transient and unpredictable.

4. Du Fus "Thinking of My Brothers on a Moonlit Night" (夜泊牛渚怀古未逢)

　　Du Fu was a prominent Tang Dynasty poet who is considered one of the most important Chinese poets in history. In his poem "Thinking of My Brothers on a Moonlit Night," he reflects on his life, his friends, and the fleeting nature of time while admiring the beauty of the full moon.

　　

1. In front of my boat, the bright moon rises,
2. My time here has been long and I have aged;
3. I think of my friends as I watch the moon,
4. My heart feels empty, dreaming of my hometown.

Conclusion

　　The Mid-Autumn Festival is an important traditional festival in China, and poets throughout history have expressed their love of the festival and admiration for the beauty of the full moon through verse. The above four poems by Su Shi, Li Bai, Huang Tingjian, and Du Fu are just a few examples of the many beautiful Mid-Autumn Festival poems that continue to inspire people even today.