The Mooncake: the unexpected snack of revolution

 One of the most beloved traditional pastries in East and Southeast Asia, mooncakes are often synonymous with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Celebrated on the full moon of the eighth lunar month, the festival is marked by family reunions, get-togethers with friends, and of course, lots of special foods.

While people can usually identify this sweet delicacy with its intricate patterns and delicious lotus seed paste filling, many are not familiar with the centuries old history behind the mooncake. Here is the story of how one innocuous pastry played a pivotal role in the downfall of an entire dynasty.

Like many Chinese customs, the origins of the mooncake lie in ancient times: specifically, during the Mongol rule of the Yuan Dynasty. During the regime, Chinese families were ruled closely with Mongolian guards stationed outside every home.

According to folklore, a rebel leader by the name of Zhu Yuanzhang hatched an ingenious plan to help the citizens communicate. He, along with his military advisor, came up with the idea to hide messages in mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Within each cake was a piece of paper that said, “kill the Mongols on the 15th day of the eighth month.” Since the Mongols didn’t eat mooncakes, the Chinese rebels were able to secretly coordinate a successful attack. Their actions brought about a new era of leadership within China: the Ming Dynasty, and Zhu Yuanzhang as their first emperor.

The mooncake has long been a symbol of prosperity and reunion, but it can also reflect the fighting spirit of a steadfast population who refused to give up in the face of danger. I hope you take a little bit of inspiration from this story and keep it in mind as you enjoy these sweet treats over the course of the Mid-Autumn festival!