Moon Festival and the Legend of Chang-e
The Moon Festival The Moon Festival (“Zhong Qiu Jie”—— 中秋 节 ), is also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar.
Celebrating the Moon Festival Moon Gazing ◦ On the evening of the Moon Festival, the moon is at its largest and brightest ◦ The full moon represents abundance, harmony and luck. ◦ Family and friends gather together to look at the moon Lanterns ◦ Children play with colorful lanterns in various shapes and sizes
Special Foods The Moon Festival is celebrated in many countries. Some of the special foods include ◦ Moon cake – made in various sizes and is filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. ◦ Taro ◦ Fruits: pomelos, apples, oranges and pears
Moon Festival and Legends of Chang-E The Moon Festival probably began as a harvest festival. The festival was later given a mythological flavour with legends of Chang-E, the beautiful lady in the moon.
The Legend of Chang-E There are many variations of the Legend of Chang-E, her husband, Hou Yi and Chang-E’s exile to the moon. Here’s one version...
According to Chinese mythology, the earth once had 10 suns circling over it. One day, all 10 suns appeared together, scorching the earth with their heat. The earth was saved when a strong archer, Hou Yi, succeeded in shooting down 9 of the suns.
Hou Yi was awarded a special prize: an potion of immortality. However, he had to wait for one year before drinking the potion. After that period he could share it with his wife, Chang-E, and they could live forever. Change-E found the potion and she was curious.
She drank the entire bottle of potion. The entire bottle was too much for one person. It caused her to float all the way to the moon.
Ever since that time, Chang-E has lived on the moon.
The Moon Festival is important because it was on this day that Change-E came the closest to earth. If you look carefully enough, you might just see her. By the way – she’s not alone up there. She’s kept company by the Jade Rabbit.