Archive · 25 Sep 2026
The Legend of Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit
The Mid-Autumn festival is associated with a story about Chang’e and Hou Yi.
Hou Yi shot down nine of ten suns that were making Earth very hot.
As a reward, he received an elixir of immortality.
Later, an intruder tried to take the elixir.
Chang’e swallowed it instead.
She then flew to the Moon.
She stayed there so she could remain close to Hou Yi.
A jade-white rabbit is said to live with her there.
The rabbit became a lasting symbol of the lunar festival.
The legend of Chang’e and Hou Yi is one of the Mid-Autumn festival’s best-known stories.
Hou Yi received an elixir of immortality after shooting down nine of ten suns.
The suns were scorching the Earth.
Chang’e swallowed the elixir when an intruder tried to take it.
She flew to the Moon, where she remained to stay close to Hou Yi.
A jade-white rabbit is also said to live with Chang’e on the Moon.
- Who
- Chang’e, Hou Yi, an intruder, and a jade-white rabbit.
- What
- A legend explaining Chang’e’s journey to the Moon and the rabbit associated with her.
- When
- The passage does not specify when the events occurred.
- Where
- The story involves Earth and the Moon, where Chang’e remained.
- Why
- Chang’e swallowed the elixir to prevent the intruder from taking it and then remained on the Moon to stay close to Hou Yi.
- Festival connection
- The story is described as one of the Mid-Autumn festival’s best-known stories.
- Main characters
- Chang’e and her husband, Hou Yi.
- Hou Yi’s deed
- He shot down nine of the ten suns scorching the Earth.
- Elixir
- Hou Yi received an elixir of immortality.
- Chang’e’s action
- She swallowed the elixir when an intruder tried to take it.
- Destination
- Chang’e flew to the Moon.
- Symbol
- A jade-white rabbit is said to live with Chang’e on the Moon.