My thoughts on Mid-Autumn/Mooncake festival. The Story of Chang-E.
Courtesy of Minayuyu DeviantArt.Com for the cute photo.
The Mid-Autumn festival also known as Mooncake festival is another important thanksgiving event for most Asian people. Just recently my wonderful Steemit Chinese friend @ginafraser shared me about this wonderful festival. During this festival, families and friends get together and enjoy the sweet mooncake under the beautiful full moon.
I read this festival is also observed in my country (Philippines) but since we don't have autumn season here it's rather known as Mooncake festival. Well we have many festivals in Philippines, several times each month there's a village or city celebrating feast day.
The festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar with full moon at night. For 2018, it's held on the 24th of September. It's a special day really and I know someone very special was also happy because his birthday falls on this holiday. I do wish that may all his dreams and deepest heart's desires and wishes will come true. He had some rough days lately but in between those rough days are sweet moments that brought him sunshine and smile on his face as bright as the beautiful moonlight. Such wonderful smile is indeed priceless.
Speaking of moonlight, luckily we had a bright and beautiful view of the full moon here in Cebu, I saw it while I was on my way to work before day break. Maybe one day I must consider getting a better camera to capture the best full moon moments. I don't know, but I just feel my soul is deeply connected with the sun and moon. My parents named me Ailyn which refers to Love and Light. I will try to write a separate blog about my name, hopefully soon. It will be interesting. =)
I also read a beautiful heart touching legend relating to the Mid-autumn festival. This is one of the best Chinese literature I've read so far, hoping to read some more.
The Story of Chang-E is about love and sacrifice.
Image Source: The Epoch Times
Once upon a time, in ancient China. Ten sun rose in the sky, all at the same time. The people couldn't bear it. The crops and plants were dying. One day a strong man named Hou Yi and his bow and arrow, went up to Kunlun Mountain. With his superhuman strength, he shut down nine of the ten suns. He then ordered the remaining one to rise and set according to the right time. On hearing about this accomplishment, people far and wide came to learn from him. One of these people is the man named Peng Meng. Later on, Hou Yi met and married a kind and beautiful woman named Chang-E. They lived a happy life together.
Oneday as Hou Yi was passing by the Kunlun Mountain, he came upon Empress Wang Mu, the queen of heaven, she presented him with an elixir. The elixir would cause a person to immediately ascend to heaven and become immortal.
Not being able to bear the thought of parting with Chang-E. Hou Yi asked her to keep the elixir hidden. As she kept the elixir away, Peng Meng saw it. One day Hou Yi took his disciples out hunting. Peng Meng didn't join them. With sword in hand, he rushed over to Chang-E's quarters and forced her to give the elixir. Knowing that she won't be able to fight him, she took out the elixir and immediately drank it. As soon as she drank it, she flew out the window ascending towards the heavens. Chang-E's great love for her husband drew her to the nearest celestial body, the moon. Upon realizing what happened to his wife, Hou Yi was grief stricken and shouted Chang-E's name to the skies. He was amazed to see a swaying shadow on the moon that was exactly like his wife.
Hou Yi took his wife's favorite foods and offered them up to her in an altar. It became a memorial ceremony for Chang-E who became a celestial being for fortune and peace. The story of Chang-E spread and also the custom of moon worship.
Courtesy of:
Mid-Autumn Festival — Wikipedia
With much love from Cebu,
Thank you! Daghan Salamat! Maraming Salamat po!
Thank you for sharing this great mooncake festival blog!
But there are different versions about Chang-E flying to the moon. I love this version you posted here so much.
Another version is Chang-E dreamed to go to heaven, becoming the Goddness, so she stole the elixir from her husband Hou Yi.
There is a poem in proof of it, written by Shangyin Li, a famous poet lived in Tang dynasty. "嫦娥应悔偷灵药，碧海青天夜夜心"。 "Chang-E should regret to steal the elixir, she falls into a state of melancholy every night, being in the moon lonely."
Some how I missed this post. >< Shucks.
Lol no worries. This post will be on the blockchain forever. =)