The eighth Chinese mid-lunar moon marks the Moon's birthday and is believed to be the only night of the year when the moon appears perfectly round. At the time of the Moon Festival, special moon-viewing parties are held with much wine and feasting, and poems composed to the moon. Moon cakes are generally packaged in boxes of four cakes and are a traditional gift from one family to another.The reason why moon cakes are so meaningful goes back to the 14th century when China was overrun by the Mong.