Chang’e is a Chinese goddess of the moon. She is also known as Chang-er, Chang-o, and Heng’e. She is the subject of many legends in Chinese mythology. She is also the namesake of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. Learn more about this deity and her history. If you want to learn more about Chinese mythology, read more about Chang’e.
Chang’e
The Chang’e myth describes the transformation of a beautiful young woman into the goddess of the moon. The Chinese people have revered Chang’e for thousands of years. She was the wife of legendary archer Hou Yi and was famous for her beauty. She is also famous for drinking an elixir of immortality and ascending to the moon with her white rabbit, Yu Tu.
According to the story, the moon was the first home for the goddess Chang’e. It was a heavenly place where she could watch over her husband, Hou Yi. She chose the moon for her permanent residence because she wanted to be close to her husband. Ultimately, she became the moon’s goddess after Hou Yi’s death.
Chang’e’s story is a convoluted one. She is sometimes confused with another lunar deity, Changxi. Changxi gave birth to the twelve moons of Chinese mythology, representing the Chinese lunar calendar. Although the two are related, Changxi’s status was diminished after the Song Dynasty, when Chang’e’s attributes were taken up.
Artemis
Artemis is a Greek goddess of nature, hunting, childbirth, and chastity. She was also associated with the moon and was considered a major lunar deity. She would often roam the forests of Greece and was accompanied by hunters and nymphs. Her Roman counterpart is Diana.
She is often depicted as a young woman, as she was very associated with young girls. As a young girl, Artemis had pleaded with Zeus to stay a virgin forever, and he granted her wish. As a result, she was the protector of young girls. She was worshipped and revered and was often the central force in young girls’ lives.
Artemis was also linked to the ancient goddesses HECATE and SELENE. Her father, Zeus, ruled the world from the summit of Mount Olympus. She was also the twin sister of Apollo, the god of the sun and the oracles.
Despite this association, Artemis was known for her cruel behavior. She was often accused of punishing innocent people. She had no mercy for the mortals who did wrong. The nymphs were her aides and aided in her punishments. In one legend, she punished a hunter who mistakenly discovered Artemis unclothed.
Artemis was born on a Greek island. She was impregnated by Zeus, but Hera prohibited her from giving birth on terra firma. When she was a child, she helped deliver her twin brother, Apollo. Later in life, she was revealed as a childbirth goddess. She shares similar powers with other deities, including Hera and Eileithyia. They also share the same interest in the bow and arrow.
Artemis is also associated with the hunt, and is often pictured with hunters. Her hunting companion, Actaeon, once broke his virginity and attempted to seduce her. However, he failed and Artemis transformed him into a stag, which the hunting dogs promptly devoured.
Guan Yin
Guan Yin is also known as the mistress of the Southern Sea and the patroness of fishermen. Often represented crossing the sea on lotus, she is also depicted on the head of a dragon, the symbol of wisdom and high spirituality. The dragon is also an ancient symbol of strength and transformation.
In Chinese tradition, Guan Yin was originally a man but was trans-gendered. She was born male but evolved into a woman and has the noblest traits of both genders. This explains her mystical powers.
Guan Yin is revered in many places, including the Shaolin Temple in China. She is also worshipped in the Ajanta Caves and Sensoji temples in Japan. She also has temples throughout Tibet and India. The goddess has many aspects, and is often depicted wearing many garments to protect her worshipers. In fact, there are many other temples dedicated to her in Asia, including temples in Japan, India, and Sri Lanka.
The origin of Guan Yin is unknown, but it is believed she was a princess of Miao Shan, whose mother, Pao-ying, dreamed of swallowing the moon during conception. As a result, she was born during a period of earthquake and without washing. She was endowed with beautiful and majestic holy marks and many colored clouds. The parents of Kwan Yin disapproved of her.
Buddhists worship Guan Yin as a female counterpart of the male god Avalokiteshvara. Both of these deities are associated with the Mahayana school of Buddhism.
Hou Yi
The legend of Hou Yi, originally a woman who became a goddess of the moon, goes back thousands of years. This myth tells of the goddess’ visit to the moon, a celebration that began as an impromptu ritual. The moon shines brightest on this day and people remember her during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They also make mooncakes to honor her.
According to the legend, Hou Yi was a great archer, and she was married to the beautiful Chang’e, who was the best archer in the world. Moreover, she shot nine of the ten suns. However, after receiving the elixir of immortality, she decided to leave her husband on Earth and become the goddess of the moon.
Hou Yi’s story begins with a modest upbringing. But as she grew up, she became a despotic leader who sought immortality. His people made an elixir that he drank to become immortal, and when Chang’e tried to escape, Hou Yi shot her.
Hou Yi’s story ends with a love triangle. Chang’e was the wife of the powerful archer Hou Yi. She robbed her husband of a sacred elixir, which gave her immortality and a place in the heavens. She was chased by Hou Yi, who was angry over her wife’s theft, and she died in the process. However, Chang’e later claimed that she had another reason for becoming the moon goddess.
Hou Yi was the master of the bow. However, she was killed by Feng Meng, and her spirit ascended to the sun. Now, Hou Yi and Chang’e share the sky and are said to balance the world. The myths say that Hou Yi is immortal, but others say the gods tried to give her immortality.
