Chang'e is always a figure mentioned during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but few people know the Legend of Chang'e. This is not just a simple myth; it also reflects the distinctive cultural values of Vietnamese people. In the following article, Mykingdom will tell you why Chang'e appears on the brilliantly bright full moon and the cultural significance through this story.
The Legend of Chang'e
Long ago, legend has it that there were as many as ten suns shining down on the Earth, making the land dry and cracked, and people weak and unable to survive. At that moment a young man named Hou Yi appeared; he was extremely angry with such fierce weather, so he resolved to climb Kunlun Mountain, using his divine power and his celestial bow to shoot down nine suns. From then on the land was no longer dry, and people were full of life. The people were grateful and revered him as the god who would restore order to the world; his fame spread far and wide, and many scholars came to study under him. Among his students was a man of corrupt mind named Bong Mong.
Because of his fame, Hou Yi married a stunning and kind-hearted wife; her name was Chang'e. One day, Hou Yi returned to Kunlun Mountain to visit an old friend; he encountered the Queen Mother of the West, and he seized the opportunity to ask her for an immortality elixir. After returning home, he felt reluctant to leave Chang'e, so he asked her to keep the elixir. Chang'e immediately hid the elixir in a jewelry box, but unfortunately Bong Mong saw it.
A week later, Hou Yi took his students hunting; Bong Mong feigned illness to stay behind. Not long after Hou Yi left, Bong Mong seized a sword and rushed into the backyard to force Chang'e to hand over the immortality elixir. Afraid, Chang'e pretended to search for the elixir to surrender it, but at the last moment before handing it over, she woke up and decided she could not give the elixir to this evil man. In a moment of crisis, not knowing what to do, she drank the elixir. After drinking it, she immediately flew up to the heavens. Because she missed her husband so much, she refused to ascend to the Nine Heavens (nine levels of clouds) and simply wished to stay on the Moon Palace, as this is the place closest to her husband.
When he returned from the hunt, Hou Yi saw the servants frightened and crying, recounting what had happened; he was furious and immediately banished Bong Mong from the house and forbade him from coming near again. He was astonished, for that night the Moon Palace shone very brightly, and in the distance the silhouette of Chang'e sitting on the Moon could be seen. Hou Yi immediately ordered his servants to build a shrine and to offer daily fruits to honor Chang'e who misses him.
Cultural significance through the legend of Chang'e
The legend tells us more about the steadfast devotion between spouses through actions such as building a shrine to remember the wife on the Moon Palace, and Chang'e choosing to stay on the Moon rather than becoming a celestial being among the Nine Heavens. Additionally, Bong Mong is the name of the villain; he suffered punishment by Hou Yi who banished him far away. The story carries a deep meaning, helping children derive valuable lessons in life.
Thus, Mykingdom has shared with you the legend of Chang'e, and we hope that through the above article, children will understand the meaning the legend intends to convey and avoid actions that could harm those around them.
