Guangyue Bodhisattva, also known as the Moon God, the Moon Goddess, the Queen of the Moon, the Master of the Moon Star, the Moon Maiden, and the worship of the Moon God or the Guangyue Bodhisattva, is one of the most widely revered deities in Chinese folk beliefs. This tradition has a long history in China and is also common worldwide, originating from the early belief in celestial body worship. Under the night sky, the moon brings light; the hazy moonlight also inspires many thoughts, leading to numerous beautiful and touching stories, among which "Chang'e Flying to the Moon" is the most famous.
It is said that in ancient times, there was a year when ten suns appeared in the sky, scorching the earth and drying up the seas, making it impossible for people to live any longer. This incident caught the attention of an heroic figure named Hou Yi. He climbed to the top of Kunlun Mountain, gathered his divine strength, drew his sacred bow, and shot down nine of the extra suns in one go.
Hou Yi accomplished great feats, earning the respect and love of the people. Many aspiring individuals came to learn from him. However, Peng Meng, a cunning and dishonest man with ill intentions, also joined in disguise.
Not long after, Hou Yi married a beautiful and kind wife named Chang'e. Besides teaching skills and hunting, Hou Yi spent all his time with his wife, and people envied this couple's affectionate relationship.
One day, Hou Yi went to Kunlun Mountain to visit friends and seek teachings. He coincidentally met the Queen Mother of Heaven, who was passing by, and asked her for a potion of immortality. It was said that if one took this potion, they could instantly become an immortal. However, Hou Yi did not want to leave his wife, so he temporarily entrusted the potion to Chang'e for safekeeping. Chang'e stored the potion in the treasure box of her dressing table, but Peng Meng happened to see this.
Three days later, Hou Yi led his disciples on a hunting trip, and Peng Meng pretended to be sick and stayed behind. As soon as Hou Yi left with everyone else, Peng Meng rushed into the inner courtyard with a sword, threatening Chang'e to hand over the elixir. Knowing she could not match Peng Meng, in a critical moment, Chang'e quickly opened the treasure box, took out the elixir, and swallowed it in one go.
As soon as Chang'e swallowed the potion, her body floated off the ground, flew through the window, and soared into the sky. Since Chang'e missed her husband, she flew to the closest moon and became an immortal. In the evening, Hou Yi returned home, and the maids told him what had happened during the day. Hou Yi was both shocked and furious, grabbed his sword to kill the villain, but Peng Meng had already fled. Hou Yi was so angry that he beat his chest and cried loudly. In deep sorrow, Hou Yi looked up at the night sky and called out his beloved wife's name. To his surprise, the moon that night was exceptionally bright and clear, and a moving figure seemed to resemble Chang'e. Hou Yi immediately sent someone to set up an altar in the garden where Chang'e loved, placing her favorite sweets and fruits, and offering a remote prayer to Chang'e in the Moon Palace. This story is recorded in ancient texts such as "Shan Hai Jing" and "Soushen Ji."
After this, the worship of the Moon God became widespread among the people. In ancient China, young men and women in love would make vows under the moonlight and pray to the Moon God. Some separated lovers also prayed to the Moon God for reunion. The great dramatist Guan Hanqing of the Yuan Dynasty wrote a play called "The Pavilion of Worshiping the Moon." In "The Western Chamber," Cui Yingying sincerely poured her heart out to the Moon God, hoping to meet her beloved. In the eighteenth chapter of "Continuation of Jin Ping Mei" by Ding Yaokeng of the Qing Dynasty, two lovers, Zheng Yuqing and Yinpining, after secretly tasting forbidden fruit, opened the window, knelt together, and said to the moon: "If either of us betrays the other, may we die by a thousand swords." Interestingly, some people in unrequited love also ask the Moon God to arbitrate or express their feelings.
