The Legend of the Moon Festival 中秋節的傳說 fascinating story about Chang'e on the Moon

The story of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess, is one of the most beloved myths in Chinese culture, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This ancient legend explains the origins of the festival and why the moon holds such a significant place in the hearts of the people who celebrate it.

Long ago, during a time when ten suns rose in the sky, scorching the Earth and causing great suffering, a hero named Hou Yi, a skilled archer, emerged. Seeing the plight of the people, Hou Yi climbed to the top of a mountain and used his mighty bow to shoot down nine of the ten suns, leaving only one to shine and bring light to the world. His heroic act saved the world from disaster, and he was celebrated as a great savior.

As a reward for his bravery, the Queen Mother of the West, a celestial goddess, gifted Hou Yi with a precious elixir of immortality. This potion had the power to grant eternal life, but there was only enough for one person. Although Hou Yi was tempted to drink it, he loved his wife, Chang’e, more than anything, and he couldn’t bear the thought of living forever without her. So, he entrusted the elixir to Chang’e, keeping it hidden away.

However, the fame of Hou Yi's heroism and the secret of the immortality potion soon spread. One of Hou Yi's apprentices, Feng Meng, coveted the elixir and sought to steal it for himself. One day, when Hou Yi was away, Feng Meng broke into their home and tried to force Chang’e to hand over the potion. Faced with no escape and fearing that the elixir would fall into the wrong hands, Chang’e made a fateful decision: she drank the elixir herself.

As soon as she swallowed the potion, Chang’e began to float, becoming lighter and lighter, and eventually ascending into the heavens. She flew higher and higher until she landed on the Moon, the closest celestial body to Earth, where she was destined to reside forever as the Goddess of the Moon. Devastated by the loss of his beloved wife, Hou Yi was heartbroken. Every night, he gazed at the moon, hoping to catch a glimpse of Chang’e. He placed offerings of food and fruit on an altar, hoping she could see them and know his love.

The legend of Chang’e is central to the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time when families gather to celebrate unity, give thanks, and admire the full moon. It is said that on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon is at its brightest and fullest, symbolizing completeness and reunion. Many believe that on this night, Chang’e can be seen dancing or sitting by a laurel tree on the surface of the moon.

To honor Chang’e and celebrate the festival, people offer mooncakes, a traditional pastry that symbolizes the moon, as part of their festivities. Mooncakes are often shared among family members as a sign of unity, while the act of moon gazing (or "appreciating the moon") brings people together to reflect on the beauty of the celestial body and its connection to the legend of Chang’e.

Lanterns are also lit and released into the sky during the festival, symbolizing light and hope in the darkness, and the festival becomes a time for expressing love, gratitude, and wishes for reunion, much like Hou Yi’s eternal love for Chang’e.

The story of Chang’e and the Moon captures the spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival: a time to reflect on love, family, and the longing for unity, as well as an appreciation for the celestial beauty that has inspired generations.

Soundtrack: Lanterns and Moonlight 灯月交辉
Guzheng solo: Wu Mengmeng 吴梦梦
Publisher: ARC Music, NAXOS
Album: The Art of the Chinese Guzheng
Video footage: Envato
Productions:JIANG Li

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