Celebrating the Chinese New Year: Year of the (Metal) Ox

Oxen Resting
John Singer Sargent, 1910

On February 12, 2021 the Chinese New Year begins and 2021 is the Year of the (Metal) Ox. The New Year is celebrated for 16 days and ends with the Lantern Festival.

Women Oxen are traditional, faithful wives, who attach great importance to their children's education. There are five types of Ox: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. This year falls under the Metal Ox and their traits also include hardworking, active, always busy, and popular among friends. For more information go to: https://tinyurl.com/y45om4jm

According to the Chinese people born in the Year of the Ox have the following personality traits:

Oxen are known for diligence, dependability, strength, and determination. Having an honest nature. They are strongly patriotic, have ideals and ambitions for life, and attach importance to family and work. These reflect traditional conservative characteristics.

At the end of this blog, you also will find links to previous blogs highlighting the different animals of the Chinese Zodiac, each offering additional background information.  

Whether or not this is your year under the Chinese Zodiac I wish everyone a New Year filled first and foremost with health and may you be blessed with all good things to keep you safe and happy. May we all find ourselves together once more as we meet 2021 with renewed hope.

 

The Ox and the Ant - Bulgaria

 

At one time, the ant was so huge that it could pull the yoke of the ox alone. She wanted to plow the ox with his plow instead, to work, and to provide food for himself. "You can't feed people!" The ox told her. "The Lord has assigned this work to me." "You do not want such a fate," replied the ant. "Because your master stitches you with a wall in your back to walk in the groove, and you cannot even make a step forward alone without a master, while I belong only to myself - I have no master."

 

At that time the Lord God was walking around the earth and all the animals were free to approach him and to complain to him about something or to make a request to him. That's why the ant and the ox came to him to complain about each other. "God!" Said the ox. "The ant wants to take down my yoke and plow with the plow you gave me to feed myself and the people." "This is not the job, Lord!" Said the ant - "I want to provide food for people because they can't do it well enough. "

 

Then the Lord turned to the ant and said to her, "I know you are hardworking, but let's see! Tell me, when you replace an ox, how many times a day will you give people to eat thanks to your work? "" I will give them to eat once every three days, "replied the ant. The Lord then addressed the same question with an ox. "And how many times will you give people to eat?" "They will be able to eat three times a day, although I work slowly, I will still be able to satisfy their food needs." Then the Lord blessed the ox: "You will feed the people of the earth while the world is shining! "

Then the Lord turned to the ant. "To work forever and never see the fruits of your labor!" To remember their sentence well, the Lord ordered the ox to step on the ant and walk on its back. Then the ox's hooves split as the back of the ant began to narrow. Up to that point, the ox's hooves were as full as the horse's, and the back of the ant was not as narrow and thin as it is today. And so now the ox still feeds all of us, because with such a destiny God has blessed it. And people should eat three times a day and the food will not benefit the one who eats more than three times a day. The ant would have been so huge if the ox had not crushed it so much, breaking the hoof on her back.

https://tinyurl.com/y54ckkof

MORE STORIES

Babe the Blue Ox – United States
https://tinyurl.com/y3m7zq8g

The Cart Without Oxen – Costa Rica
https://tinyurl.com/y5bcm24c

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl - China
https://tinyurl.com/y2ftj7sx

The Four Oxen and the Lion - Aesop
https://tinyurl.com/y6h86x4r

Great Joy the Ox - India
https://tinyurl.com/y57uzj9y

The Ox and the Frog – Aesop
https://fairytalez.com/the-ox-and-the-frog/

The Ox of the Wonderful Horns - Zimbabwe
https://tinyurl.com/y4cyxdt9

The Ox Who Never Envied the Pig - Jakarta
https://tinyurl.com/y6l8qo3c

The Oxen and the Butchers - Aesop
https://fairytalez.com/the-oxen-and-the-butchers/

The Oxen and the Pig - Jakarta
https://tinyurl.com/y4rbpb2k

The Straw Ox - Ukraine
https://tinyurl.com/y3jpx3jv

The Three Oxen – Somalia (A variant on the Aesop Fable, The Four Oxen and the Lion)
http://hooyo.web.free.fr/E_tale_03.html  

ARTICLES

Interesting background articles to help round out your storytelling program.

How Oxen Plowed the Way for Social Inequality
https://tinyurl.com/y5f7arlf

Ox, cow and bull in folklore imagery and tales
https://tinyurl.com/y2zhxdb7

The Tale of the Ox
https://tinyurl.com/y684b4ap

CRAFTS

Paper Cup Ox
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/paper-cup-ox

Printable Craft Projects for the Year of the Ox
https://tinyurl.com/y3ybzn84

Redtedart.com – Year of the Ox
https://www.redtedart.com/easy-cow-crafts/

CURRICULUM

Alphabet Letter X Ox Theme: Preschool Lesson Plan with printable activities and worksheets.
https://first-school.ws/activities/alpha/x/ox.htm

Ox-Cart Man – The curriculum is based on the book and is designed for grades
2 -3. This lesson received the 2020 Curriculum Gold Award of Excellence from the National Association of Economic Educators.
https://tinyurl.com/y5zfad34

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Below are previous blog posts I wrote for the Chinese New Year. You will find useful background information to augment your Chinese New Year programs.

Year of the Fire Rooster|
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2017/01/chinese-new-year-2017-year-of-fire.html

Year of the Horse
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/12/chinese-new-year-year-of-horse.html

Year of the Pig
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2019/02/chinese-new-year-2019-year-of-pig.html

Year of the Rat
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2019/11/chinese-new-year-2020-year-of-rat.html

Year of the Sheep
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2014/12/chinese-new-year-2015-celebrate-year-of.html

Year of the Snake
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/12/celebrate-chinese-new-year-2013-year-of.html

Year of the Tiger
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-year-of-tiger.html 

Gung Hay Fat Choy
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2008/02/gung-hay-fat-choy.html

 

 

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

 

Karen Chace 2021 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission, please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

 

Chinese New Year 2015: Celebrate the Year of the Sheep

Su Wu , The Lonely Shepherd
by

Ren Bonian, 1840- 1895

February 19, 2015 begins the Year of the Sheep according to the Chinese Zodiac. (Also recognized as the Year of the Ram or the Year of the Goat)
In Ancient China the sheep symbolized justice. According to legend a divine sheep called xiezhi was able to recognize wrongdoers, and would gore them in punishment. Judges wore and images of the xiezhi on their hats as a symbol of impartiality.

In Guangzhou, China, there is a statue commemorating the Five Sheep. It is said that the people used to eat only fish, until five gods came to earth riding on five sheep. Each sheep was a different color and held an ear of rice in its mouth.  The gods instructed the people to plant the rice and blessed the city against famine. The gods flew back to the sky but the sheep remained standing until they became stones. Guangzhou is nicknamed “Five Sheep City”, and all sheep are believed to be lucky.

Above information from the following sites:
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_madeinchina/2005-10/21/content_74782_14.htm
http://waypastnormal.blogspot.com/2012/04/sheep-in-legend-and-lore-special-joint.html

Since different sites state it is the year of the sheep, goat or ram, I offer you stories on all of these wonderful creatures.

SHEEP

“Anyone that can walk three circles around a sleeping sheep will get his wish.” 
                                                                                           ~ Icelandic Folklore

The Hyena and the Sheep - Somalia
http://hooyo.web.free.fr/E_tale_13.html

The Lion, the Cow, the She-Goat and the Sheep - Aesop

http://www.mythfolklore.net/aesopica/oxford/14.htm

The Sharp, Grey Sheep – Gaelic/West Highlands

http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/stories/sheep.html

The Sheep and the Pig Who Set Up House - Norway

http://oaks.nvg.org/ntales47.html

The Sheep, the Lamp, the Wolf and the Hare - Tibet

http://members.home.nl/marcmarti/yugur/folktale/tale10b.htm

The Shepherd’s Mistake - India
http://mocomi.com/indian-folk-tales-the-shepherds-mistake/

The Sky is Falling - Ethiopia

http://www.ethiopianfolktales.com/en/snnpr/wollaita-zone/300-the-sky-is-falling

Why the Stork Eats Frogs and the Wolf Hunts Sheep - Ukraine
http://www.4to40.com/folktales/print.asp?p=Why_The_Stork_Eats_Frogs_And_The_Wolf_Hunts_Sheep

RAM

The Goat and the Ram - Russia

http://whisperingbooks.com/Show_Page/?book=Russian_Folk_Tales&story=Goat_And_Ram 

The Tiger, the Ram and the Jackal – South Africa
http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/saft/sft06.htm

The Leopard and the Ram – West Africa
http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/books/africa/barker/leopardram.html

The Ram and the Pig Who Set Up House - Norway
http://hazel.forest.net/whootie/stories/ram_pig_house_norway.html

The Wolves, the Sheep and the Lamb – Aesop
http://www.mythfolklore.net/aesopica/oxford/31.htm

GOAT

The Dog, the Goat and the Donkey – Ethiopia

http://www.ethiopianfolktales.com/en/somalia/210-the-dog-the-goat-and-the-donkey

The Goat-Face Girl – Andrew Lang

http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/4890/

The Lad With the Goat Skin - Celtic

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cft/cft29.htm

The Sheep, the Goat and the Dog – Chad
http://www.tchad.org/research/folktales.html#truck

Three Billy Goat’s Gruff – Three versions: Norway, Poland, Germany

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0122e.html

When the Hyena and the Billy Goat Signed a Peace Treaty – Chad
http://www.tchad.org/research/folktales.html#peace

CRAFTS

A number of easy, preschool sheep/lamb crafts and activities.

DLTK-KIDS 

http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/lambs.htm

Danielle’s Place

http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/sheepcrafts.html

 CURRICULUM

First School – Preschool goat themed activities.
Sheep and Lamb
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/animals/farm/lamb.htm
Goat
http://www.first-school.ws/activities/animals/farm/goat.htm

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The Chinese New Year ends with the Lantern Festival, celebrated at night with displays and parades of painted lanterns. The highlight of the Lantern Festival is the Dragon Dance. Beautiful dragons made of paper, silk and bamboo are held overhead, and appear to dance as they make their way along the parade routes.

Storybug.net: Dragons - Mythical, Mystical, Magical Creatures! – Here is a previous blog post filled with dragon tails, curriculum, crafts and more to augment your Chinese New Year celebration.

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/05/dragons-mythical-mystical-magical.html 

Below are previous blog posts I wrote for the Chinese New Year. You will find useful background information to augment your Chinese New Year programs.

Year of the Horse

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/12/chinese-new-year-year-of-horse.html

Year of the Snake
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/12/celebrate-chinese-new-year-2013-year-of.html

Year of the Tiger

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-year-of-tiger.html 

Gung Hay Fat Choy
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2008/02/gung-hay-fat-choy.html

Last year I wrote a blog for the end of March: March Goes Out  Like a Lamb. Since lambs are baby sheep I thought you might find something to add to your Chinese New Year Program here.

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2014/03/march-goes-out-like-lambfolktales-and.html

Karen Chace 2014 ©
This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.
 

Chinese New Year: The Year of the Horse



Ivan and the Chestnut Horse

by

Edmund Dulac, 1919

The Chinese New Year is celebrated on January 31, 2014. This year they honor the Year of the Horse.

 “The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people's ethos – making unremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able. Ancient people liked to designate an able person as 'Qianli Ma', a horse that covers a thousand li a day (one li equals 500 meters).”

~ Each day of the fifteen-day celebration has its own traditions, such as visiting in-laws or staying home to welcome good fortune.

~ Fireworks displays during Chinese New Year stem from a custom of lighting bamboo stalks on fire to ward off evil spirits.

~ In China, families gather together for meals, especially for a feast on New Year's Eve.

~ The Chinese New Year ends with the Lantern Festival, celebrated at night with displays and parades of painted lanterns.

~ The highlight of the Lantern Festival is the Dragon Dance. Beautiful dragons made of paper, silk and bamboo are held overhead and appear to dance as they make their way along the parade routes.

~ In China, the public holiday lasts three days, but celebrations take place over the entire 15-day period.

FACTS ABOUT HORSES

• Horses were domesticated by humans about 3500 B.C.
• Horses can sleep standing up.
• Horses can’t burp.
• Horses can live to over 30 years old.
• A horse’s age can be determined by his teeth.
• Horses are herbivores.
• Arabian horses have one less vertebra than other horses.

• Species-wise, the closest relatives to a horse are the donkey, zebra, Brazilian tapir and rhino.

• Horses can understand and even interpret human emotions.\Horses are great communicators when you know what to look for. They use their ears to say whether they’re relaxed, trying to figure out what’s behind them or anxious and alert. 

The above information was found at the following sites:

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/horse.htm
https://habitatforhorses.org/ 

STORIES

A small sampling of stories to help you gallop into the New Year.

Beauty and the Horse - Denmark
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0425c.html#denmark

The Black Horse - Ireland

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/mcft/mcft05.htm

Catching a Horse by Its Tail – Six stories from this folktale type, collected by D.L. Ashliman.

https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0047a.html

The Dun Horse – Russia

https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/68/fairy-tales-and-other-traditional-stories/5075/the-dun-horse/ 

The Ebony Horse – Persia

https://www.istoriez.com/the-ebony-horse/ 

The Enchanted Horse – Persia

http://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Arab_folktale_33.html

The Flaming Horse: The Story of a Country Where the Sun Never Shines -Czechoslovak Folktale

http://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/Czechoslovak_folktale_3.html

The Fox and the Horse – Grimm/Germany

http://www.authorama.com/grimms-fairy-tales-47.html

The Girl with the Horse’s Head - China
http://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_36.html

Horse Cursed by the Sun – South Africa

http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/saft/sft41.htm

The Horse and the Stag – Aesop
https://fablesofaesop.com/the-horse-and-the-stag.html

The Kelpie of Loch Garve - Scotland

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/scotland/ross-and-cromarty/folklore/the-kelpie-of-loch-garve.html

The Lost Horse - China
http://www.midislandstorytellers.com/uploads/3/2/4/1/3241687/the_lost_horse.pdf

The Mosquito and the Horse - Estonia

http://www.fairy-tales.parnas.info/en/estonian/mosquito.html

The Princess and the Glass Mountain – Czechoslovakia

http://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/Swedish_folktale_16.html

Sivka-Burka/Ivan and the Chestnut Horse - Russia

https://www.russianamericancompany.com/sivka-burka-1/?srsltid=AfmBOoqIbOW_LUn2gNS1qh_WqPxPhyBPHopaiWyS30EP7NIP9xOH6qoM

The Swift Blue One – Native American

http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/se/wsgr/wsgr15.htm

The Water Horse of Barra – Scotland
https://www.greatbooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/TheWaterHorseofBarra_OER_FINAL.pdf

White Horse – Manitoba Ghost Story from the Cree Tribe

http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/post_1.html

BOOKS

Great Kids Books for the Lunar New Year

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/great-kids-books-for-lunar-new-year

Horses: Myths, Legends, Folktales and Ancient Stories by Pat Perrin

“These horse stories have been collected from great storytellers and edited to replace obsolete words, simplify sentences, and clarify meaning--16 fabulous tales, 4 extra spreads, and 16 charming illustrations.”

http://www.amazon.com/Horses-legends-folktales-ancient-stories/dp/1935178148  

CRAFTS

Clothespin Horse Craft

http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Clothespin-Horse.html 

Danielle’s Place – Horse and Donkey Activities for Kids

http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/HorseCrafts.html

DLTK’s Craft for Kids – Toilet Paper Roll Horse

http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mhorse.html

First Pallette.com – Chinese Paper Lantern

https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/paper-lantern.html 

First Pallette.com – Chinese Dragon Mask

https://www.firstpalette.com/printable/dragon-mask.html 

CURRICULUM

Alabama AG in the Classroom

https://alabamaaitc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Equine_Unit.pdf

 

Horses Educational Resources K12 Learning, Life Science, Science Lesson Plans, Activities, Experiments, Homeschool Help
https://www.elephango.com/index.cfm/pg/k12learning/lcid/13094/Horses

Montessori Inspired Horse Unit
https://livingmontessorinow.com/montessori-monday-montessori-inspired-horse-unit/

MUSIC

NancyMusic.com – Cute song and fingerplay for the Chinese New Year.

http://www.nancymusic.com/Gunghayplay.htm

SOMETHING EXTRA

Horse Quotations and What They May Mean

https://www.thesprucepets.com/popular-horse-quotes-and-what-they-mean-1887400 

Storybug.net: Dragons - Mythical, Mystical, Magical Creatures! – Here is a previous blog post filled with dragon tails, curriculum, crafts and more to augment your Chinese New Year celebration.

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/05/dragons-mythical-mystical-magical.html

Below are two previous blog posts I wrote for The Year of the Tiger and the Year of the Rat. You will find useful background information to augment your Chinese New Year programs.

Gung Hay Fat Choy

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2008/02/gung-hay-fat-choy.html

Year of the Tiger

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-year-of-tiger.html

Karen Chace 2013 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

By the Light of the Silvery Moon...

 Prelude to Water Melody

~ Su Shi, Poet
                               

THINKING OF YOU
by Su Tung Po

When will the moon be clear and bright?
With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky.
I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night.

I'd like to ride the wind to fly home.
Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me.

Dancing with my moon-lit shadow,
It does not seem like the human world.
The moon rounds the red mansion stoops to silk-pad doors, Shines upon the sleepless bearing no grudge,

Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart?
People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart,
The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane,
This has been going on since the beginning of time.
May we all be blessed with longevity.
Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together

September 22 begins the celebration of the Chinese Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. Its history dates back 2000 years. It is traditionally celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunisolar month. The festival is the second most important festival after the Spring Festival to the Chinese people. The full moon is a symbol of peace and prosperity for the whole family, symbolizing wholeness and togetherness.

"This is a day to worship the moon god. According to folk legend, this day is also the birthday of the earth god (T'u-ti Kung) and a day to worship the moon god.  People express their gratitude to heaven (represented by the moon) and earth (symbolized by the earth god) for the blessings they have enjoyed over the past year.

The Chinese believe in praying to the moon god for protection, family unity, and good fortune. On this day, the moon is at its roundest and brightest. This is also a time for lovers to tryst and pray for togetherness, symbolized by the roundness of the moon. Unlike most other Chinese festivals, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a low-key holiday, characterized by peace and elegance." Learn more about this beautiful festival at http://kevdesign.com/midautumnfestival/index.htm

STORIES

You won’t have to search the stars for folktales celebrating the beautiful moon!

Legend of the Lady in the Moon - China
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/mid-autumn-legends.htm 

The Lady of the Moon - China

http://tinyurl.com/23vbvss

A Coat for the Moon – Jewish

http://tinyurl.com/3973wom

How the Great Chief Made the Moon and the Sun – Native American
http://tinyurl.com/2f4leqz

How the Moon Became Beautiful – China
Found in The Gold Path Reader, published in 1912; now available through Google books.
https://archive.org/details/goldenpathbooka01stevgoog

The Moon and the Great Snake – Native American
http://tinyurl.com/29bem28

Moonflower - Japan
http://tinyurl.com/2v33wxt

Sun, Moon and Talia – Italy
http://tinyurl.com/2whabo4

Why the Sun and the Stars Receive Their Light from the Sun - Africa

http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/books/africa/barker/whymoonstars.html

CRAFT

In the evenings, children carry lanterns of all shapes and sizes. The bearing of lanterns and the origin of mooncakes date back to a 14th century revolt by the Chinese against the Mongols.

Make your own Chinese Lantern
http://kevdesign.com/midautumnfestival/lanternrelated.htm


THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MOON CAKE

"During the Yuan Dynasty (1280 A.D - 1368 A.D), China was ruled by the Mongols. The Mongols did not eat mooncakes and the Chinese were quick to take advantage of that. They found an innovative way of coordinating the revolt. Leaders of the revolt distributed the mooncakes among the common people under the pretext of celebrating the Emperor's long life. Each mooncake had an outline of the attack baked within its skin. The secret message informed the people to revolt on the 15th of the 8th moon (also the Autumn Moon festival). On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. Since then the mooncakes became a national tradition of China."
http://www.theholidayspot.com/mid_autumn/legends.htm

• Mooncakes are also known as "reunion cakes" as family members gather to partake of the sweet confectionery.
• Traditional mooncakes have an imprint on top consisting of the Chinese characters for “longevity” or “harmony” as well as the name of the bakery and filling in the moon cake. Imprints of a moon, a woman on the moon, flowers, vines, or a rabbit may surround the characters for additional decoration.
• They are eaten throughout the month before the actual festival day.
• During the Qing dynasty, mooncakes were renamed "moonflowers".
• The Empress Dowager Ci Xi staged rituals for an elaborate moon festival lasting from the 13th through the 17th day of the eighth lunar month.
• Some Chinese families today still stay up late to observe the occasion eating mooncakes, sipping tea and gazing at the beautiful moon. It is regarded the perfect moment if someone catches the moon's reflection in the centre of his or her teacup.
• During the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279 AD), moon cakes were also called “small cakes” and “moon balls.”

RECIPE

Easy to Make Chinese Moon Cakes

Ingredients:

1/4 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup salted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup strawberry (or your favorite) jam (traditionally red bean paste is used so if you want a more authentic version, you can use a can of red bean paste instead of the jam).

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Combine the butter, sugar and 1 egg yolk and stir.
• Mix in the flour.
• Form the dough into one large ball and wrap it in plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate dough for half an hour.
• Unwrap the chilled dough and form small balls in the palms of your hand. 
• Make a hole with your thumb in the center of each mooncake and fill with about half a teaspoon of jam.
• Brush each cake with the other beaten egg yolk and place on a cookie sheet.
• Bake for about 20 minutes or just until the outside edges are slightly brown.
• Eat and enjoy!

Karen Chace 2010 ©

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.