中华传统文化节庆教本之七-WisdomCultureandEducation.PDFVIP

中華傳統文化節慶教本之七 Traditional Chinese Festivals Handbook English version 美國舊金山慧智文教基金會 Wisdom Culture Education Organization 傳藝寰宇文教有限公司 Global Culture Awareness Organization The Origin and Legend of the Moon Festival Fall marks the start of the harvesting season. Once people gathered the crops, they worshipped the Land God to show their gratitude, which is called “Qiū bào”. In ancient times, the kings would also worship the moon during this season to show their respect. This action, “Jì yuè”, was done on lunar calendar August 15th as it was a day in the fall where a full moon appeared. Gradually, the Moon Festival was most likely originated from the traditions of “Qiū bào” and “Jì yuè”. It is also called Mid-Autumn Festival. Legend - Cháng’é Flew to the Moon Legend says that in ancient times, ten suns rose into the sky together, which burned all the crops and the land, causing people to suffer. A brave man, named Hòuyì, used a bow and arrows to shoot down nine of the ten suns and saved the people. Thus, people selected Hòuyì to become the king. Later, Hòuyì asked an immortal to give him the elixir and let his wife, Cháng’é, to keep it for him. One day, while Hòuyì was out hunting, a bad guy, Péng méng, threatened Cháng’é with a knife to give him the elixir. Cháng’é refused and anxiously swallowed the medicine. Surprisingly, her body became lighter and lighter and she flew to the moon. As a result, she became the Moon Goddess. It is said the day Cháng’é flew to the moon was August 15th; as a result, people chose to worship the moon on this day every year. Legend also says that a rabbit accompanies Cháng’é on the moon! The Change in the Moon’s Crest The moon i