Once upon a time, in ancient China, there was a beautiful legend about the Mid-Autumn Festival. This festival, which takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is celebrated under the full moon when families gather to enjoy the sweetness of reunion and the beauty of nature.
Long ago, ten suns appeared in the sky one day, scorching the earth and causing great suffering to all living things. The people were desperate for relief, so they turned to Hou Yi, a brave archer known for his strength and wisdom. With his powerful bow and arrows, Hou Yi shot down nine of the suns, leaving only one to light the world. As a reward for his heroic act, the Queen Mother of the West gave him an elixir of immortality. However, Hou Yi loved his wife, Chang’e, dearly and decided not to take the potion himself. Instead, he planned to wait until the right moment to share it with her.
Unfortunately, a jealous man named Peng Meng, who wished to steal the elixir for himself, tried to force Chang’e to give it to him. Faced with no other choice, Chang’e drank the elixir herself. Instantly, she began to float upward toward the heavens. Though she could have chosen any place to live, she chose the Moon because it was closest to Earth and her beloved husband.
Hou Yi, heartbroken but still filled with love, set up a table under the full moon every year on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. He placed her favorite fruits and desserts as offerings, hoping that she might see them from the Moon. Over time, this custom became a tradition among families across China, symbolizing their longing for loved ones far away and their hope for unity and harmony.
Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival remains one of the most cherished holidays in Chinese culture. Families gather together, sharing mooncakes—delicious pastries filled with sweet fillings—and gazing at the bright, round moon. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration of the bonds we hold dear.
As you savor your mooncakes or gaze at the glowing moon this year, remember the story of Chang’e and Hou Yi. Their tale of love and sacrifice reminds us that even in moments of separation, the spirit of togetherness can shine brightly like the full moon itself.
