By Tay Zi Han, U1630154A
《品茶赏月一乐事》
北宋中秋庆丰收
菱角 (ling jiao) is a type of Chinese water chestnut or water caltrop that is specially eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
苹果桃子石榴梨
月饼芋头柚菱角[1]
瓜果酒菜摆满桌
家家户户忙祭月
山顶团圆席地坐
欢笑声中叙家常
啜饮香茶品月饼[2]
茶香悠悠暖润心
民间赏月一乐事
English Translation:
<Enjoying the Moon and the Tea>
Celebrating the mid-autumn harvest in Northern Song
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the day for reunited families to admire the moon and eat together.
Apples, peaches, pomegranates and pears
Mooncakes, yams, pomelos and water caltrops
It is indeed a full feast (nuts, fruits, wine, dishes) spread on the table
Every family actively prepares for their prayers to the moon
On the mountaintop, families hold their reunions while sitting on mats
Casual exchanges immersed in laughter and happiness
A sip of fragrant tea while tasting mooncakes
Its fragrance wafers through the air and its warmth nourishes one’s heart
It’s a joyful occasion for us commoners to admire the moon
(Written in the Song dynasty, a commoner recounted the liveliness of a typical Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in his hometown in Northern Song.)
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[1] 菱角 (ling jiao) is one of the special foods they have during the festival, alongside with mooncakes and yam. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2003-09/05/content_359332.htm
[2] 月饼 (yue bing) or mooncake was traditionally known as 小饼 (xiao bing) small cake, 月团 (yue tuan) moon ball and many other names during the Song Dynasty. To avoid the confusion, 月饼 shall represent those mooncakes in this poem. Retrieved from http://www.todayonhistory.com/lishi/201511/24054.htm