Chinese Moon Festival is when families gather to worship the Moon Goddess. This Chinese holiday is traditionally on the 15th day of every 8th month. Based on the Chinese Lunar calendar the Moon Festival is held on the 21st of September! All, if not most, East Asian communities celebrate this holiday. Another term for the holiday is Mooncake Festival, where there’s a tradition of lighting up lanterns and gathering with family, and making moon cakes to commemorate the holiday.
Legend of the Moon Goddess
The legendary story of the Moon Festival is about a goddess named Chang’e and her husband who is an archer. The traditional story begins with Earth having ten suns. The immense heat caused many droughts. This led to several human deaths. Chang’e’s husband, Hou Yi, shot nine suns. For his accomplishment he was given the elixir of immortality. He planned to share it with his wife. However, his enemy Feng Meng wanted to steal the elixir. One night Feng Meng tried to steal it from Hou Yi’s home. Chang’e was only there. She took the elixir to protect Hou Yi. She chooses the moon as her place to be forever. Along with her rabbit companion.
The Netflix movie Over the Moon uses this legendary tale to represent love and loss. Although there are some little details taken out, the legendary Chang’e moon goddess story is made the central theme in the entire movie.
Over the Moon Movie Goddess Chang’e
Over the Moon is a fantastic movie written by Audrey Wells. The poetic way of explaining love and loss, has audiences tearing up. This movie brings Chinese tradition to the forefront, along with amazing music, fun characters and a Disney vibe.
Fei Fei is the central character. She is thirteen years old and is very intelligent. Fei Fei’s mother would always bring up the legend of the moon goddess Chang’e. When Fei Fei’s mother passes away, she is heartbroken. It’s been years since her mother’s passing. It seems everyone from her family has moved on. Her father is seeing a woman who has a kid. Overwhelmed with these changes, Fei Fei wants to find proof that the legend is true. She starts to make plans to go to the moon herself.
During her adventure on the Moon, she realizes that Chang’e shares the same feelings of losing a loved one. The Chinese Moon Festival comes to life, intertwining Fei Fei and Change’s loss.
When Chang’e explains her story, Feng Meng is not mentioned. The ten suns are not mentioned. The story is only focused on her love for Hou Yi.
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