One Moon, One World: global museums and their mooncake innovation

Suzhou Museum

Symbol of the Moon: moonlight paper painting

In the southern part of China, the ancient ritual to worship the Moon Goddess during the Mid-Autumn Festival can be quite complicated. During the festival, moonlight paper, which is decorated with golden powder in different colors, can be seen in all shops. The paper contains images of Chinese Buddhist icons, the Moon Goddess, the Jade Rabbit, and is supposed to be burnt under the full moon to bring good luck.

Suzhou Museum has used moonlight paper painting to create the cover of its mooncake box. The cover picture, known as Yituanheqi (benevolence and harmony), was a famous painting created by Chenghua Emperor (1447-1487). The original picture depicts Tao Yuanming, Lu Xiujing and Zen Master Hui Yuan embracing each other, reflecting the traditional Chinese syncretic concept of the combination of the three teachings. Modern artists have transformed the three into a child wearing traditional Chinese costumes, making it more appealing to the customers.

Innovative mooncake flavors:

Traditionally, mooncakes in South China have a salty flavor, generally filled with either pork or yolk. This year, Suzhou Museum has tried creating flower flavored mooncakes, such as osmanthus and jasmine. It has also launched a set of fruit and flower wine to go with the mooncakes, including peach wine, plum wine, osmanthus wine, jasmine wine and grapefruit wine.