Chang’e: The Chinese Moon Goddess
There are several versions of how Chang’e became the Moon Goddess and all differ greatly but I would like to share my favorite. Chang’e was originally a mortal and married to a great man and a great archer named Hou Yi. Hou Yi worked in the service of the emperor. At that time there were nine suns in the sky. The emperor ordered Yi to shoot down all but one with his great boy. Yi did so and as a reward, the emperor gave him the elixir of immortality to share with his wife. He brought it home, but hid it from his inquisitive wife until he was ready to share it with her. However she found it, and not knowing what it was, drank it all. She became immortal and became so light that she flew away to the moon and was unable to return because she was so light. Yi tried to follow her, but was held back by the wind. Soon Chang’e pined for Yi and became very lonely just as Yi pined for Chang’e. The other Gods and Goddesses took pity on them and told Yi to build her a palace of cinnamon wood and place it with a white rabbit and they would send them to her to keep her company. To reward Yi’s goodness he was also allowed to build a palace for himself on the last remaining sun, living in equal solitude. They represented the polar opposites, Yin and Yang. They were allowed to spend but one night together a month when the moon was full.
There is a celebration in China called the moon festival where they celebrate Chang’e and love and family and the moon in September. They bake moon cakes as offerings to the Goddess and for each other in love.
And interesting story as to how these moon cakes actually changed history:
One of their most famous tales is of a young rebel named Liu Fu Tong. It is said that he used the moon cakes to help gather people together to rebel against the oppressive reign of the Yuan dynasty. He hid notes to those who joined with him inside of the cakes that were delivered. These notes told the rebels the date and time to join him in his attack on the palace. Tong’s revolution was successful and he credited the moon goddess for her indirect role in freeing the Chinese people.
For many other versions of how Chang’e became moon Goddess you can search her name on Wikipedia.com for at least 4 other versions.
The Inane and Insane Ramblings of Rose 