[backdate to Sept 22] Mid-Autumn Festival
Let me tell you a story. A long time ago, there are 10 suns. They shine endlessly down on earth and people suffered from drought and fire. Emperor Yao saw his people suffer and wanted to get rid of the suns. So he hired his strongest archer, Houyi, to shoot them all down.
Houyi is not only a strong archer, but also very clever. He knew that if he shoots down all 10 suns, then the world will be eternally dark. So he only shot 9, which is why we only have 1 sun today, with equal days and nights.
Emperor Yao was so pleased with Houyi that he makes him a King. Houyi ruled over his country with his beautiful wife and Queen Chang'e. But power makes us greedy and Houyi became evil. He sook immortality and learned a recipe that a immortal pill can be made if you grind up the bones of young boys for 100 nights. He made such a pill and planned to split it in half, so that he may rule forever, and have his wife Chang'e be forever beautiful by his side.
Chang'e wished to save the land from her despot husband. She stole the pill and ate the whole thing. The dosage is too strong, so instead of becoming an immortal on earth's realm, she became a full goddess and floated to the moon. After Houyi lived his mortal life, the kingdom was freed from his tyranny.
Now Chang'e lives on the moon with the Jade Rabbit, pounding good medicine made of herbs for the gods.
And this is why we eat mooncakes tonight!
((note: I will be extremely slow. & go check out that (slightly waning) full moon tonight!))
Houyi is not only a strong archer, but also very clever. He knew that if he shoots down all 10 suns, then the world will be eternally dark. So he only shot 9, which is why we only have 1 sun today, with equal days and nights.
Emperor Yao was so pleased with Houyi that he makes him a King. Houyi ruled over his country with his beautiful wife and Queen Chang'e. But power makes us greedy and Houyi became evil. He sook immortality and learned a recipe that a immortal pill can be made if you grind up the bones of young boys for 100 nights. He made such a pill and planned to split it in half, so that he may rule forever, and have his wife Chang'e be forever beautiful by his side.
Chang'e wished to save the land from her despot husband. She stole the pill and ate the whole thing. The dosage is too strong, so instead of becoming an immortal on earth's realm, she became a full goddess and floated to the moon. After Houyi lived his mortal life, the kingdom was freed from his tyranny.
Now Chang'e lives on the moon with the Jade Rabbit, pounding good medicine made of herbs for the gods.
And this is why we eat mooncakes tonight!
((note: I will be extremely slow. & go check out that (slightly waning) full moon tonight!))