CHANG-O

CHANG-O: Goddess of the Moon and sister of River God HE-BO.

The greedy wife of the ill-fated YI, she gulped down his share of Elixir of Life, leaving him with nothing. She may have heard the Elixir was great for losing weight — but when she became truly weightless and started floating up to Heaven, she began to regret her impulsiveness.

Fearing Heavenly reprisals, she took refuge in the Moon and was transformed into a toad. There are many things beyond the comprehension of us mere mortals.

She remains to this day. All those dreamy moon songs and 'being over the moon'... and this sort of thing goes on behind our backs! "Give me the moonlight — give me the toad..."

As Lady of the Moon, CHANG-O glows with a brilliant eerie light and offers good fortune to those that remember her. Particularly during her festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon, when prayers and offerings are most welcome. Occasionally she is allowed to visit Heaven, but an unfortunate experience with the amorous PIGSY left her reluctant to return.

Being separated from her husband YI, she's sympathetic to all lovers. That's why it's traditional for romantically-inclined couples to cuddle under the silvery moon.

Entry last modified on 15 April 2004

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