Minnan Folk Custom · Mid-Autumn Special

Minnan Mid-Autumn Bobing Guide
Six Dice, Top Scholar, Mountain Villa Reunion Night

From Koxinga's military legacy to national intangible heritage, the imperial examination ranking and reunion philosophy in six dice

In Minnan (Southern Fujian), the sound of Mid-Autumn is not firecrackers, but the crisp "ding-dang" of dice landing in a large red porcelain bowl. For over three hundred years, these six small dice have carried the national memory of Koxinga's troops stationed in Xiamen, as well as the Minnan people's simple longing for reunion, good fortune, and academic success. In 2008, "Mid-Autumn Bobing" was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, becoming one of the most recognizable symbols of Minnan culture.

I. Historical Origins: From Koxinga's Army to National Intangible Heritage

According to legend, over three hundred years ago, the national hero Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong) based his resistance against the Qing dynasty in Xiamen. Every Mid-Autumn, when the moon was full, the expeditionary soldiers could not help but feel homesick. To alleviate their melancholy and boost morale, Koxinga's Kinmen-born general Hong Xu and his staff, after careful deliberation, designed the "Mid-Autumn Mooncake Set" festival game modeled after the ranking titles of the ancient imperial examination system.

Hong Xu combined the traditional "dice game" with the "top scholar lottery" game, using the combinations of six dice to correspond to six levels of the imperial examination — Top Scholar (Zhuangyuan), Second Place (Duitang/Bangyan), Third Place (Sanhong/Tanhua), Fourth Place (Sijin/Jinshi), Fifth Place (Erju/Juren), and Sixth Place (Yixiu/Xiucai). Koxinga was very pleased upon hearing of this, and specially approved that from the 13th to the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, the army would take turns enjoying the moon and playing Bobing on alternate days, letting the crisp sound of dice replace homesickness.

This custom then spread from the military to the civilian population, and later followed the footsteps of Minnan people to Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and beyond. According to the "Taiwan Prefecture Annals," over three hundred years ago, Taiwanese students already had the custom of playing Top Scholar mooncake dice during Mid-Autumn. In 2008, "Mid-Autumn Bobing" was officially inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, becoming one of the most representative folk activities of Minnan culture.

Today in Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou, Mid-Autumn Bobing has extended from family gatherings to corporate team-building, community activities, and commercial promotions, becoming an indispensable "required activity" for Minnan people during Mid-Autumn. As the Minnan saying goes: "No Bobing, no Mid-Autumn."

II. Complete Rules: The Imperial Examination Ranking in Six Dice

The equipment for Bobing is simple: six dice and one large red porcelain bowl (or basin). Participants take turns rolling all six dice into the bowl simultaneously, and the prize is determined by the combination of numbers facing up. There are six prize levels, corresponding to the titles of the ancient imperial examination from highest to lowest, totaling 63 prizes per set, called "one hui (set)."

Zhuangyuan (Top Scholar) — 1 prize

Zhuangyuan is the highest prize in Bobing, typically requiring four red fours (number 4). However, the determination of Zhuangyuan is the most complex, as there are multiple special combinations such as "Zhuangyuan with Golden Flowers," and the Zhuangyuan can be "taken over" by a larger combination rolled later. Common Zhuangyuan combinations include:

The special feature of Zhuangyuan is that it can be "taken over" — if someone earlier rolls a Four Reds Zhuangyuan, and someone later rolls Five Reds or Six Reds, the latter "takes over" the former's Zhuangyuan. Until all prizes are won, the last Zhuangyuan rolled is the final winner.

Duitang (Second Place/Bangyan) — 2 prizes

Duitang corresponds to the Second Place (Bangyan) in the imperial examination, requiring one of each number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 — a "straight." Once Duitang is rolled, it belongs to that participant and cannot be taken over.

Sanhong (Third Place/Tanhua) — 4 prizes

Sanhong corresponds to the Third Place (Tanhua), requiring three red fours. Interestingly, in traditional mooncake sets, the "Sanhong" cakes often taste the best — this comes from a legend: in the 22nd year of Yongle (1424), the top scholar of the imperial examination was named Sun Yuegong. Emperor Chengzu thought that "Yue" and "Gong" combined formed the character "Bao" (violent), which displeased him, so he promoted the Third Place to Top Scholar. Therefore, Sanhong became the "best-tasting" cake.

Sijin (Fourth Place/Jinshi) — 8 prizes

Sijin corresponds to the Fourth Place (Jinshi), requiring four of the same number (except red fours), i.e., four 1s, four 2s, four 3s, four 5s, or four 6s. "Jin" means "passing the Jinshi examination."

Erju (Fifth Place/Juren) — 16 prizes

Erju corresponds to the Fifth Place (Juren), requiring two red fours. "Ju" means "passing the Juren examination," an important step on the imperial examination path.

Yixiu (Sixth Place/Xiucai) — 32 prizes

Yixiu corresponds to the Sixth Place (Xiucai), requiring only one red four. Although it is the lowest prize, it has the most quantity, and almost every round someone wins it, making it the prize with the strongest "sense of participation" in Bobing.

If all six dice have no red fours and do not form a Duitang or Sijin, it is called "no prize," and the participant wins nothing that round. If dice jump out of the bowl, that round is void and the next round continues.

III. Mooncake Sets and Prize Arrangements

Traditional Bobing prizes are "mooncake sets," with 63 cakes per set, decreasing in size according to prize level. The Zhuangyuan cake is the largest, usually over 20 cm in diameter; the Yixiu cake is the smallest, like an ordinary mooncake. The flavors of the mooncake set are also particular — traditionally, the Sanhong cake tastes the best, while the Zhuangyuan cake may just be ordinary red bean paste filling — implying that "the top scholar is not necessarily the best; opportunity is what matters most."

As times have developed, Bobing prizes are no longer limited to mooncakes. In today's corporate team-building and friend gathering Bobing events, prizes can be daily necessities, small appliances, shopping cards, red envelopes, or even travel packages. However, regardless of how the prizes change, the prize level setting and the tradition of "63 prizes per set" are usually retained.

For Bobing events at Cuixi Mountain Villa, we can customize prize plans according to team needs:

Specific prize arrangements can be discussed with the butler at booking, and we will provide professional advice based on team size, budget, and preferences.

IV. Complete Bobing Process: From Opening to Closing

1. Preparation Stage

Before Bobing, you need to prepare: six dice (recommend using dedicated Bobing dice with clear red four markings), one large red porcelain bowl or basin (at least 20 cm in diameter to prevent dice from jumping out), 63 prizes (sorted by level), and a sufficiently large table (round table recommended for everyone to sit around).

2. Determining Order

Participants sit in a circle. Usually, the order is determined by rolling dice to see who gets the highest number, or by seating order. Each person rolls six dice at a time. After rolling, the host (or everyone together) determines the prize level and the participant receives the corresponding prize.

3. Official Bobing

Starting from the first person, take turns rolling dice in order. Each roll determines the prize based on the result:

4. Zhuangyuan Takeover

The most exciting part of Bobing is the "takeover" of Zhuangyuan. If someone earlier rolls a Four Reds Zhuangyuan, and someone later rolls a larger combination such as Five Reds, Six Reds, or Zhuangyuan with Golden Flowers, the latter "takes over" the former's Zhuangyuan. If the person who was taken over had already received the Zhuangyuan prize (in some rules prizes are given immediately), they need to hand it over.

Until all 63 prizes (except Zhuangyuan) are won, Bobing enters the "closing" stage. At this point, the last person who rolled a Zhuangyuan is the final Top Scholar winner.

5. Closing and Celebration

After all prizes are won, everyone celebrates the Top Scholar winner together, takes group photos, and shares the joy of Bobing. Traditionally, the Top Scholar winner needs to treat everyone to a meal or distribute candies, symbolizing "academic success, sharing joy with the people."

V. Bobing Experience at Cuixi Mountain Villa: Reunion Night in Mountain Courtyard Hot Spring

Cuixi Mountain Villa is located in the Mayangxi Ecotourism Area, Changtai District, Zhangzhou, about a 45-minute drive from Xiamen. It is an ideal venue for Mid-Autumn Bobing team-building and family gatherings. For more information, please visit the About Us page. The villa offers whole-villa exclusive rental mode, with 7 bedrooms and 11 beds accommodating 18-22 guests. The spacious common areas can flexibly host multiple Bobing tables, meeting the needs of team group Bobing and collective interaction.

Venue Advantages

Butler Service

Cuixi Mountain Villa provides professional butler service, assisting throughout the Bobing event:

VI. Corporate Team-Building Bobing Plan

Mid-Autumn Bobing is the "standard" activity for Minnan corporate team-building. Cuixi Mountain Villa provides one-stop Bobing team-building plans for corporate teams. For a detailed team-building plan, also refer to our Changtai Mid-Autumn Bobing Team-Building Guide:

Half-Day Team-Building Plan (for 10-20 people)

Two-Day Team-Building Plan (for 15-22 people)

Corporate team-building can issue official invoices and support corporate bank transfer. For specific plans and quotes, please check our packages or contact the butler for consultation, and we will customize an exclusive plan based on team size, budget, and needs.

VII. Family Bobing Experience

Bobing is not only a game for adults, but also a great opportunity for children to learn about traditional culture. Cuixi Mountain Villa provides a warm Bobing experience for families:

The whole family sitting together, rolling dice, winning good fortune, eating mooncakes, and admiring the bright moon — this is the warmest way to celebrate Mid-Autumn.

VIII. Practical Tips and FAQs

Bobing Tips

  1. Roll all dice simultaneously: Six dice should be rolled from the hand at the same time, avoid throwing one by one, which affects fairness
  2. Dice jumping out of bowl is void: If any dice jump out of the bowl, that round's result is void and the next round continues. Recommend using a larger bowl or basin
  3. Zhuangyuan can be taken over: Remember that Zhuangyuan is not "first come, first served," but "the largest wins," and can be taken over until the last moment
  4. Prizes won are final: Except for Zhuangyuan, once prizes of other levels are won, rolling that combination again wins nothing
  5. Maintain atmosphere: Bobing focuses on participation and fun, don't care too much about winning or losing, enjoying the process is most important

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many people are needed for Bobing?
A: Traditionally, "one set" is suitable for 4-5 people, but in practice, 8-12 people is the most lively. For larger groups, you can play at multiple tables simultaneously, and finally the Top Scholars from each table compete in a "final." Cuixi Mountain Villa can simultaneously host 20+ people playing at multiple tables.

Q: How long does Bobing usually take?
A: For a team of about 10 people, winning all 63 prizes in one set usually takes 1.5-2 hours. The more people, the longer it takes, and can be adjusted according to the actual situation.

Q: Can I bring my own prizes?
A: Of course. Cuixi Mountain Villa provides the venue and equipment, and prizes can be prepared by the team themselves, or we can purchase them on your behalf.

Q: How far in advance should I book during Mid-Autumn?
A: Mid-Autumn is the peak season for Bobing. It is recommended to book 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for weekends and the Mid-Autumn holiday. Early booking allows priority selection of room types and activity time slots.

Q: What if I don't know how to play Bobing?
A: No problem. Bobing rules are simple and easy to understand, and you can learn them in 5 minutes. The villa butler will explain the rules in detail before the event, and will also assist with determination throughout the event.

Conclusion: The Reunion Philosophy in the Sound of Dice

Over three hundred years ago, when Koxinga's soldiers rolled the first handful of dice under the moonlight in Xiamen, they perhaps never imagined that this little game invented to alleviate homesickness would become the most vivid carrier of Minnan culture. Six dice tumbling in a large red bowl make not only a crisp sound, but also a longing for reunion, a blessing for good fortune, and a vivid interpretation of the Minnan spirit of "if you work hard, you will win."

At Cuixi Mountain Villa, we hope to restore the most authentic Minnan Mid-Autumn experience for you — under the moonlight of the mountain courtyard, in the mist of the hot spring, by the shimmering pool, a family, a group of friends, a team, sitting together, rolling a handful of dice, winning a bit of good fortune, letting the military legacy of over three hundred years ago continue to echo in tonight's reunion.

This Mid-Autumn, come to Cuixi Mountain Villa for Bobing. The dice are ready, the large red bowl is polished, and we are just waiting for you and your family and friends to say "let the Bobing begin!"

Booking Inquiry:
Phone/WeChat: +86 189 6510 6119
Address: No. 69, Zhumanyuan, Cuixi Mountain Villa, No. 2899 Xingtai East Road, Mayangxi Ecotourism Area, Changtai District, Zhangzhou, Fujian, China
Specific arrangements subject to written confirmation at booking. Please contact the butler for details. You may also refer to our booking guide for more information.