The celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival brings joy, bounty, and prosperity to communities as they give thanks for the harvest of the previous year. A reunion of sorts, the celebration also encourages the harvest-giving light to grace their lives the following year. One of the activities families look forward to during the season is the Mooncake Festival Dice Game. Following the festivities of this year’s celebration, Polland Hopia shares in this article the history and the basics of the exciting activity.
The history of the game
According to history, the Mooncake Festival Dice Game, or Pua Tiong Chiu in Chinese, was developed and first played 1,500 years ago. Enjoyed by soldiers who fought in battles more than a thousand years ago, the game was created to make them feel less homesick. Pua Tiong Chiu is played by members of the Filipino-Chinese community in their gatherings throughout September.
Game instructions
Essentially a game of luck, the Mooncake Dice Game requires at least three players and may have as many as 10 per table. To play the game, a table has to have six dice. A player rolls the dice in a bowl. Rolling five dice with the same number except four, or four dice of four wins the first prize. The second prize is awarded to the person who rolls straight (one dice per number) or rolls two sets of trios (three same numbers). The third prize is merited to the player who rolls four of any number besides four. A person who rolls three fours will receive the fourth prize. Players who roll two fours and one four per throw will receive the fifth and sixth prizes respectively.
The game can be confusing especially to those who might be playing it for the first time. You’ll get the hang of it by participating in the game each year. Another way to learn about the Mooncake Festival Dice Game is by reading this article and sharing it to your friends and family!
Prizes: Then and now
Over a thousand years ago, the typical prizes were mooncakes and other kinds of cakes. The first prize is represented by the largest mooncake in the bunch, while the sixth prize would be the smallest. The game hasn’t changed, but the prizes have become more varied. Nowadays, family and friends add other prizes to hype the game. While mooncakes remain to be the traditional choice, hosts give out other food items, toys, money, and even gadgets as prizes.
Three ways Polland Hopia upholds the tradition of the game
Polland Hopia has been around since 1966. It has served the best hopia and tikoy to its patrons for generations. Apart from these snacks, it also offers ornate mooncakes that come in flavors such as Black Mongo, Yellow Mongo, Mixed Nuts, Lotus Seed, and Ube. During the Mid-Autumn Festival season, the store accepts requests to make its 10-inch Chong Wan, the largest mooncake piece. In addition, it offers the “Huego” or the Hopia Dice Game Set that includes the iconic flaky crust hopia made in different sizes.
Celebrate this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival season and the coming ones with Polland Hopia! It’s always great to share joy, laughter, luck, and excellent food with great company.