The Chinese deity of the moon is Chang’e. Before she became the moon goddess, she was a beautiful woman, with pale skin, cherry blossom lips and dark flowing hair. She married an archer named Hou Yi. The details of her family life are unknown, but it is believed that she blessed devotees with beauty and abundance.
Chang’e
The Chinese moon goddess Chang’e was a beautiful woman before she became the moon goddess. She had cherry blossom lips and dark flowing hair. She married the archer Hou Yi and was blessed with immortality and a place in the heavens. However, the true identity of Chang’e’s family was unknown. Her name is often confused with another Chinese goddess, Changxi, due to the similarity of their names. As such, it is important to distinguish between the two.
Chang’e is one of the most well-known goddesses in Chinese mythology. Her attributes include grace, intelligence, and self-sacrifice. One of her most well-known myths is that she drank an elixir of immortality and was able to live forever on the moon. She is also often accompanied by her Jade Rabbit. However, Chang’e’s transformation to a toad is considered punishment for drinking the elixir, a fact which is considered to be an unfavorable outcome. Interestingly, the idea of serving the moon also comes from the Chang’e myth.
Chang’e’s legend traces its roots to the fifth century BC and the Warring States period. The story is from a book known as the Guizang. According to this book, Chang’e drank a mystical elixir from Xi Wang Mu, Queen Mother of the West. Afterward, Chang’e flew to the moon and became the moon’s spirit.
Heng-o
The Chinese deity of the moon is Chang-o, also known as Heng-o, Chang-o, or Chang’e. She is the mother of the moons and a goddess of manifestation. She is also the wife of the Divine Archer Hou Yi and the daughter of the river god He Bo. She is considered the origin of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.
Chinese people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Chang’e. This holiday falls around the 15th day of the eighth lunar month and coincides with the full moon. On this day, people offer mooncakes and other gifts to their families, neighbors, and friends. People also view the outline of a toad on the moon’s surface, which is the Chinese deity of the moon. Although the moon was once known as Hong’e, it was renamed Chang’e after two Chinese emperors seized it.
The moon was said to be made of water, and there was a toad or hare living inside of it. Heng-o was considered the mother of the moon and married the Divine Archer Yi, who spared her life. After stealing the herb that gave immortality to human beings, the goddess fled to the moon.
Hou Yi
The Chinese mythological character Hou Yi is known by many names. He is a combination of hero and tyrant, god and mortal man. There are many myths surrounding him, and his relationships with both the moon and the sun are often contradictory. In a few stories, Hou Yi has been the cause of lasting change on earth.
In one tale, Hou Yi saved the world by shooting down nine out of ten suns. In a later story, he was immortal, but became a human in order to save the world. He is married to the moon goddess Chang’e. As a result, he is regarded as one of the most important figures in Chinese mythology.
The first story about Hou Yi tells the story of a hunter god. He killed nine suns, but the last one pleaded for life and promised to do his job of separating day and night. After this, the earth became peaceful. However, the Jade Emperor was furious with Hou Yi for killing his nine sons, and refused to allow the Divine Couple to return to Heaven. According to the legend, Hou Yi was the leader of clans and taught people to defend themselves, but he was neglectful of his wife.
Shen Yi
The Chinese deity of the moon, Shen, is a presiding deity and is associated with the moon. The term “shen” is derived from the word “numen,” which means “spirit.” The word “shen” also means “self” and “numinousness,” which refers to the state of being numinous.
The right side of the ideogram of Shen is pronounced “shen” and means “express.” In the same way, Hun means “movement.” Hun also provides Shen with intuition, inspiration, and the ability to connect with other people. This ability is crucial for the creation of relationships and is a hallmark of Shen.
Nei Yi and Shen are related, but have different functions. In Chinese cosmology, the former is the “ruler,” or the “Shen” of Confucians. While Shen is a non-physical energy, the latter is a receptacle of knowledge. The heart, likewise, stores the Shen and regulates emotions. The tip of the tongue turns red when one is experiencing a problem that affects the heart.
Mooncakes
Mooncakes are a part of the Chinese culture. This 3,500-year-old tradition honors the Goddess of the Moon and is often celebrated with family reunions and prayers. Mooncakes are traditionally wrapped in gold or silver and are eaten as a dessert with tea. In addition, these delicious treats are associated with good fortune and unity.
Legend says that the goddess was the first to give humans mooncakes as gifts. In later versions of the story, the goddess is portrayed as a beautiful female model who ingested the elixir to ward off evil spirits. In addition, she chooses the moon as her abode because she wanted to be close to her husband. Traditionally, Chinese people make mooncake offerings to the goddess for many reasons, including to express their gratitude and wish for harmony in their lives.
Although the origin of mooncakes is unclear, they are considered a very important part of Chinese culture. Their creation dates back to around 1600 B.C. and are recognizable by their signature thin crust and filling.
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is a time to celebrate the moon and its deity, Chang’e. According to legend, the moon goddess rescued humankind during a terrible drought, when ten suns scorched the Earth. To restore the earth’s heavenly balance, the Jade Emperor granted Chang’e an elixir of immortality, which she used to protect humanity from the devastating droughts.
Chinese people celebrate the mid-autumn festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, which is the beginning of the harvest season. This is a festive time to gather with family and friends to share good fortune and enjoy mooncakes.
Many cultures have their own traditions and rituals to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. In ancient China, emperors used the festival to pray for a good harvest, good weather, and good fortune. The harvest cycle is closely linked to the moon, and it is believed that the moon is fullest on the day the festival takes place. Some rulers took the festival very seriously, and Empress Dowager Cixi took five days out of her schedule every year to hold elaborate moon-worship rituals.
Legends surrounding Chang’e
In the Legends surrounding Chang’e Moon, the Moon is worshipped as the nearest planet to earth. The story of Chang’e Moon started with a man named Peng Meng, who was an archery apprentice who had discovered the elixir of immortality. He pretended to be ill before an outdoor hunting session and sneaked into Chang’e’s room.
Although the Chang’e story is highly contested, the god is a beloved deity of Chinese culture. She is still celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. However, she should not be confused with Changxi, the mother of the Twelve Moons. Both are very different.
The Chang’e legend is one of sacrifice and love. However, the myth can also be about betrayal or an unhappy relationship. Her name is unique and carries a significant meaning. Her name means “Pretty, Young Chang.”
