An immortal medicine, a difficult choice, and the moon goddess remembered every autumn.
Chang’e is at the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The full moon represents reunion, while her loneliness on the moon gives the celebration a bittersweet edge.
Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.
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Questions about Chang’e and 嫦娥奔月
嫦娥奔月 is usually translated as “Chang’e Flies to the Moon” or “Chang’e Flying to the Moon.” 嫦娥 is the woman’s name, and 奔月 means to fly or rush toward the moon.
Chang’e (嫦娥) is one of the best-known moon figures in Chinese mythology. In the story retold here, she is Hou Yi’s wife and becomes separated from him after flying to the moon.
In this version of the myth, Chang’e swallows the elixir to stop a bad man from stealing it. Her body becomes lighter, and she floats to the moon. Other traditional versions tell this part of the story differently.
嫦娥奔月 means “Chang’e flies to the moon.” Its pinyin is Cháng’é bēn yuè. 奔 here describes moving quickly toward a destination.