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Fragrant flowers in full autumn bloom
By Tao Jiming and Wang Jie |
September 27, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE full moon and sweet-scented osmanthus are the two most sensory delights of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
A lot of myths, passed down through generations, surround the moon. There is the story of Chang'e, who flew to the moon. There is the tale of Wu Gang chopping down a cassia tree, and one about an emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) visiting the palace of the moon.
The moon has infinite charm for all human beings on the earth. It has attracted the attention of scholars, poets, lovers and songwriters.
Every year at the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon looks exceptionally round, exceptionally large and exceptionally bright. That's fired up the imagination of people who have ascribed all sorts of human and deified qualities to the earth's only orbiter.
The poet Su Shi, who lived during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), wrote: "O, that we could live longer and share together the moonlight a thousand miles away." His verse reflected a popular wish that the bright moon would last forever and shine upon family and friends.
In centuries gone by, scholars and poets of Jiading District would get together to marvel at the moon and sing its praises in verse.
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls during the season when osmanthus trees are in full blossom. There are many varieties and colors planted in private gardens, courtyards and public parks in Jiading District. Some are more than 100 years old.
Osmanthus flowers are called "the steam from the osmanthus" by people in Jiading. The name is very poetic, aptly capturing the intense fragrance of the blooms that lingers in the air.
At the Mid-Autumn Festival, people enjoy watching the moon rise and inhaling the intoxicating fragrance ? an evening to stir the senses of sight and smell.
Osmanthus is an ornamental tree. Besides its fragrance, it is also used as a flavoring. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, vendors sell osmanthus wine and osmanthus sugar. It's a booming business.
Osmanthus can be preserved for long periods of time in sugar or salt. It can be added to flour when making pastries or to sweet potato soup or taro dishes. Osmanthus tea is also popular.
A lot of myths, passed down through generations, surround the moon. There is the story of Chang'e, who flew to the moon. There is the tale of Wu Gang chopping down a cassia tree, and one about an emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) visiting the palace of the moon.
The moon has infinite charm for all human beings on the earth. It has attracted the attention of scholars, poets, lovers and songwriters.
Every year at the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon looks exceptionally round, exceptionally large and exceptionally bright. That's fired up the imagination of people who have ascribed all sorts of human and deified qualities to the earth's only orbiter.
The poet Su Shi, who lived during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), wrote: "O, that we could live longer and share together the moonlight a thousand miles away." His verse reflected a popular wish that the bright moon would last forever and shine upon family and friends.
In centuries gone by, scholars and poets of Jiading District would get together to marvel at the moon and sing its praises in verse.
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls during the season when osmanthus trees are in full blossom. There are many varieties and colors planted in private gardens, courtyards and public parks in Jiading District. Some are more than 100 years old.
Osmanthus flowers are called "the steam from the osmanthus" by people in Jiading. The name is very poetic, aptly capturing the intense fragrance of the blooms that lingers in the air.
At the Mid-Autumn Festival, people enjoy watching the moon rise and inhaling the intoxicating fragrance ? an evening to stir the senses of sight and smell.
Osmanthus is an ornamental tree. Besides its fragrance, it is also used as a flavoring. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, vendors sell osmanthus wine and osmanthus sugar. It's a booming business.
Osmanthus can be preserved for long periods of time in sugar or salt. It can be added to flour when making pastries or to sweet potato soup or taro dishes. Osmanthus tea is also popular.
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