Mid-Autumn Festival
Ever wonder why the Moon is so divinely beautiful despite the pollution that blurs it at night?
Today is Mid-Autumn Festival in China. There are four stories behind this festivity but the most famous of all is the story about beautiful lady named Chang'er who flew to the Moon.
Excerpts:
The time of this story is around 2170 B.C. The earth once had ten suns circling over it, each took its turn to illuminate to the earth. But one day all ten suns appeared together, scorching the earth with their heat. The earth was saved by a strong and tyrannical archer Hou Yi. He succeeded in shooting down nine of the suns. One day, Hou Yi stole the elixir of life from a goddess. However his beautiful wife Chang Er drank the elixir of life in order to save the people from her husband's tyrannical rule. After drinking it, she found herself floating and flew to the moon. Hou Yi loved his divinely beautiful wife so much, he didn't shoot down the moon.
When I asked my students what they usually do on this day, all agreed that they'll just watch the Moon tonight. And of course, the festival is not complete without tasting the sweet mooncakes.
My students gave this wonderful mooncakes laced in baby pink.
Excerpts:
During the Yuan dynasty (A.D.1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D.960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without it being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend.
So, next time you look up the Moon, don't ever wonder why it is beautiful. Simply because there's a Chinese lady in there.
Truth be told, America. Stop claiming you're the first in the Moon!
A Chinese lady did go and has been living there since time immemorial. Haven't you seen her there?
Today is Mid-Autumn Festival in China. There are four stories behind this festivity but the most famous of all is the story about beautiful lady named Chang'er who flew to the Moon.
Excerpts:
The time of this story is around 2170 B.C. The earth once had ten suns circling over it, each took its turn to illuminate to the earth. But one day all ten suns appeared together, scorching the earth with their heat. The earth was saved by a strong and tyrannical archer Hou Yi. He succeeded in shooting down nine of the suns. One day, Hou Yi stole the elixir of life from a goddess. However his beautiful wife Chang Er drank the elixir of life in order to save the people from her husband's tyrannical rule. After drinking it, she found herself floating and flew to the moon. Hou Yi loved his divinely beautiful wife so much, he didn't shoot down the moon.
When I asked my students what they usually do on this day, all agreed that they'll just watch the Moon tonight. And of course, the festival is not complete without tasting the sweet mooncakes.
My students gave this wonderful mooncakes laced in baby pink.
Excerpts:
During the Yuan dynasty (A.D.1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D.960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without it being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend.
So, next time you look up the Moon, don't ever wonder why it is beautiful. Simply because there's a Chinese lady in there.
Truth be told, America. Stop claiming you're the first in the Moon!
A Chinese lady did go and has been living there since time immemorial. Haven't you seen her there?