The stories related to the Mid-Autumn Festival include Chang'e flying to the moon, Wu Gang cutting osmanthus, Jade Rabbit pounding medicine, Diao Chan worshiping the moon, drinking alone under the moon, Xuanzong traveling on the moon, etc.
1. Chang'e's Flight to the Moon
Chang'e's Flight to the Moon is a legend about Chang'e's flight to the moon. It tells the story of a beautiful and kind-hearted Chang'e who flew to the moon palace in order to save the people. The legend of Chang'e flying to the moon symbolizes people's pursuit of a better life and reverence for nature. This story also reflects the ancient people's worship and sacrificial tradition for the moon goddess Chang'e. The meaning of Chang'e flying to the moon is to hope that people can live a happy and contented life in the new year and live in harmony with nature.
2. Wu Gang's cutting of osmanthus
Wu Gang's cutting of osmanthus is a story in ancient Chinese myths and legends. It is said that the osmanthus trees on the moon grow luxuriantly and Wu Gang is a woodcutter. He likes to study magic, but he always refuses to concentrate on reading. So the Emperor of Heaven was furious and left him in the Moon Palace, asking him to cut down the laurel tree. But every time Wu Gang cut it in half, the osmanthus tree would heal automatically.
He kept cutting down, and the laurel tree continued to heal, until finally there was only one tree left. From then on, every August 16th, Wu Gang would cut down this tree on the moon, hoping that his wish would come true. This story conveys an important moral, that is, pursuing your dreams and working hard can achieve your goals.
3. The Jade Rabbit Pounds the Medicine
The Jade Rabbit Pounds the Medicine is a legendary story during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It tells that Chang'e swallowed the elixir in order to escape from the moon palace and turned into a moon spirit. She rested on the moon for the toad, not for the softness, quietness, and elegance of the moon god. As the legend of the Jade Rabbit spread, this legend evolved into the reborn image of Chang'e becoming Chang'e in the Moon. This story expresses people's yearning and pursuit of the moon, and also symbolizes the mystery and beauty of the moon god.
4. Diao Chan worships the moon
There are many Mid-Autumn Festival stories, one of which is Diao Chan worshiping the moon. According to legend, Diao Chan was the singer of Situ Wang Yun in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. She had a beautiful appearance and was very beautiful. Not long after she was born, the local peach and apricot flowers were in full bloom, but they soon withered. In order to commemorate her beauty, Diao Chan secretly came to the Moon Palace at midnight and flew towards Chang'e in the moon, but Chang'e left in a hurry because she felt ashamed of herself. This story expresses the tragic experience of a beautiful woman being oppressed by power.
5. Drinking alone under the moon
This story tells the story of the poet drinking alone under the moonlight in front of flowers. He turned himself into three characters, one toasting and the other drinking, which was very lively. This scene expresses the poet's lonely and bold feelings.
6. Xuanzong's Wandering on the Moon
Among the stories about the Mid-Autumn Festival, there is a famous story about Xuanzong's Wandering on the Moon. Legend has it that Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, Shen Tianshi and Taoist Hongdu were looking at the moon in the Mid-Autumn Festival. Suddenly Xuanzong wanted to visit the Moon Palace. However, the palace is heavily guarded and cannot be entered. The only option is to overlook the Chang'an Imperial City from outside.
On this occasion, I suddenly heard bursts of fairy voices, which were so clear, strange, and charming! Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty had always been familiar with the rhythm of music, so he memorized it in his heart. This is exactly the second half of "This song should only exist in heaven, and how many times can it be heard in the world!"