Discover the enchanting legends, traditions, and beauty of the Chinese Moon Goddess and Guan Yin during the magical Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the perfect time to dive into the enchanting stories of Chang’e and Guan Yin. These legendary tales, along with mooncakes, traditions, and songs, are all linked to love, beauty, and the divine feminine. In today’s era of gender equality, they embrace everyone—including transgender and gender-diverse communities.
On September 17, 2024, we will celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival—the 15th day of the 8th lunar month on the Chinese calendar. This festival is a time to give thanks for the harvest and admire the beauty of the full moon. If the skies are clear, tonight’s moon will be the brightest and most beautiful of the year!
Pour yourself a cup of tea, enjoy a mooncake, and play the romantic song The Moon Represents My Heart—it’s the perfect way to set the mood for this traditional celebration.
Who Are Chang’e & Guan Yin?
Chang’e is the goddess of the moon, while Guan Yin is known as the goddess of beauty and transformation. Beauty salons and spas often honor small statues of Guan Yin, and those in the entertainment industry—makeup artists, hairstylists—buy beauty products to offer to her on this special night. These same products are later used to glam up models, actors, brides, and even opera performers.
In traditional Chinese opera, Guan Yin plays a special role. Performers transform their appearance through makeup and costumes, and Guan Yin is known for her magical ability to take on many forms. Whether it’s a god, commoner, or even a demon, she embodies the power of transformation—something that resonates deeply with transgender communities today.
The Legend of Chang’e: The Moon Goddess
According to legend, the Jade Emperor commanded Hou Yi, the divine archer, and his wife Chang’e to live on Earth during the reign of Emperor Yao. Hou Yi’s mission was to tame the ten suns that were scorching the land. Using his legendary archery skills, he shot down nine of the suns, leaving only one.
For his bravery, Hou Yi was given an elixir of immortality, but his deceitful student Feng Meng tried to steal it. To protect the elixir, Chang’e drank it, causing her to ascend to the moon where she became immortal. Heartbroken, Hou Yi began worshipping the moon, hoping to reunite with his beloved Chang’e.
How to Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival
Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival is a big deal in Chinese culture, and it often leads to a shopping frenzy for mooncakes, fruits, and decorations. But there’s no need to overspend—Chang’e won’t mind a more modest celebration!
Set up an altar outdoors, where you can see the moon. If you like, build a simple arch from sugarcane stalks and place a porcelain statue or painting of Guan Yin or Chang’e as the centerpiece. Or, just let the full moon be your guide. Decorations can be as elaborate or simple as you like, and it’s a fun, female-driven event.
Mooncakes come in all flavors, brands, and sizes these days, with new packaging designs every year. Some people gift mooncakes to family and friends, while others enjoy them as a delicious treat. There’s also a famous story of how mooncakes were used to spread secret messages during a rebellion against the Mongol invaders.
Traditional Offerings for the Mid-Autumn Festival
The most well-known treat for the festival is the mooncake, but other round cakes like Koh cakes and Pia cakes are also popular. If cakes aren’t available, seasonal fruits such as oranges, pomelos, apples, and grapes can be offered instead.
For Guan Yin, who is associated with vegetarianism, it’s common to offer five bowls of rice and five types of vegetables, symbolizing the five elements: lily flowers (metal), shiitake mushrooms (earth), vermicelli (water), wood ear mushrooms (wood), and tofu skin (fire). Don’t forget to include water or tea!
Nowadays, you can also offer beauty products like face powder, lipstick, perfume, and other personal care items. In the past, people offered women’s clothing or traditional Chinese round cakes, but times have changed!
Decorate your altar with beautiful paper lanterns, and don’t forget to include a sprig of pomegranate leaves for good luck.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
May your night be filled with moonlight, sweet mooncakes, and the blessings of Chang’e and Guan Yin. Enjoy the beauty and magic of this special festival!
Keywords: Mid-Autumn Festival, Chang’e, Guan Yin, Mooncake, Chinese traditions, Chinese culture, Moon Goddess, Guan Yin transformation, Mid-Autumn celebration, Moon festival, Transgender inclusion, Chinese legends, Lunar calendar festival.
Story by Nai Mu
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