Abstract: The Legend of the Mid-Autumn Festival is a captivating introduction to the rich cultural traditions surrounding the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival. This festival is celebrated in China and other parts of Asia with moon gazing, lantern lighting, and mooncake sharing. The legend behind the festival revolves around the story of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, and her journey to the moon. This festival is a time for family reunions and a symbol of harvest and good fortune.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or the Moonlit Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. This festival is not only a time for family reunions but also a time for telling and retelling various legend stories. Among these stories, there are several notable tales that have become a part of the folklore and cultural heritage of China. Here is a simple introduction to one such legend in English.

The Legend of Chang'e: The Moon Goddess of Immortality

Long ago, in the distant heavens, there lived ten suns that took turns to illuminate the earth. However, one fateful day, all ten suns appeared simultaneously, scorching the earth with their intense heat. The Emperor of Heaven, in an attempt to save humanity from this catastrophe, sent down his most powerful general to earth to find a hero who could resolve this dilemma.

Among the many heroes who gathered to combat the ten suns, Hou Yi, an extraordinary archer, stood out. With his extraordinary skills, Hou Yi shot down nine suns, leaving just one to illuminate the earth. As a reward for his heroic deed, Hou Yi was given an elixir of immortality by the Queen Mother of the West.

However, he did not consume the elixir as he was not ready to ascend to immortality. Instead, he entrusted it to his beloved wife Chang'e, who was entrusted with safeguarding it until the right time came. But news about the elixir spread far and wide, attracting the attention of evil forces who wanted to obtain it for their own gain.

Under pressure from these forces, Chang'e was forced to swallow the elixir in an attempt to protect it from falling into the wrong hands. As a result, she ascended to the heavens and landed on the moon, where she became the Moon Goddess of Immortality. Her husband Hou Yi was heartbroken and looked up at the moon in sorrow, longing for her return.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, people celebrate this legend by gazing at the moon and offering mooncakes as tokens of reverence and homage to Chang'e. The festival also serves as a reminder of family reunions and togetherness as families gather under the moonlit sky to share stories and relive this beautiful legend.

The legend of Chang'e has become an integral part of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations and is widely recounted across China. It is not only a story of love and sacrifice but also a symbol of unity and harmony among people. The festival itself is a testament to China's rich cultural heritage and tradition, which continue to thrive even today.

In conclusion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a time for family reunions but also a time for retelling beautiful legends like that of Chang'e. These stories not only add color and vibrancy to the festival but also serve as a reminder of China's rich cultural heritage and tradition. As people around the world celebrate this festival with their loved ones, they also share these stories, further promoting cultural exchange and understanding between different nations.