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In 1076 AD
the 9th year of the Xining period (1068-1077)
of the Northern Song Dynasty
A middle-aged man wrote a well-known poem
called Prelude to Water Melody
after a party held on the Mid-Autumn Day
His name is Su Shi (1037-1101)
After 950 years
people may not be able to remember
what happened in the Song Dynasty (960-1127)
but they can memorize this poem
Men have sorrow and joy
they part or meet again
The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane
There has been nothing perfect since the olden days
So let us wish that man will live long as he can
Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty she displays
How long will the full moon appear
Wine cup in hand
I ask the sky
I don't know what time of the year
it would be tonight in the palace on high
Men have sorrow and joy
they part or meet again
The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane
There has been nothing perfect since the olden days
So let us wish that man will live long as he can
Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty she displays
The Mid-Autumn Festival
was endowed with too many wishes
of the ancient Chinese people:
reunion, missing, the perfect conjugal bliss and soon
Prelude to Water Melody depicted
Su Shi's emotion for missing family members
and desire for family reunion
Since ancient China
the full moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival
has been a symbol of family reunion in Chinese culture
Although the family members can not be reunited
appreciating the same bright moon at the same time
is also a kind of reunion
