Chang’e is a figure in Chinese mythology, a beautiful and gentle fairy and the wife of Houyi. According to the myth, to preserve her youthful beauty, she stole the elixir of immortality given to Houyi by the Queen Mother of the West and flew to the moon.

This article will recount the myth of Chang’e’s flight to the moon.

“嫦娥应悔偷灵药，碧海青天夜夜心”——(唐.李商隐《嫦娥》)

This sentences means:

“Chang’e should regret stealing the elixir, her heart yearns for the blue sea and sky every night”

Banished to the Mortal World

Houyi shot down nine suns and eliminated six evils. Emperor Yao (an ancient emperor) and the people of the world were deeply grateful. Songs praising Houyi were sung everywhere. However, Houyi felt a heavy burden on his heart. After all, he had killed the nine sons of the Emperor of Heaven. He wondered if the Emperor of Heaven could forgive him.

Houyi specially slaughtered a large wild boar he had caught in the mulberry forest. He chopped the pork finely and made a paste. He respectfully presented it to Emperor Ku in heaven. He wanted to see if Emperor Ku’s attitude towards him had changed, and whether he still held him close and trusted.

Emperor Ku, without even glancing at the pork paste, sullenly declared, “I no longer wish to witness killing, nor do I wish to see you. You and your wife should live below.”

Seeking the Elixir of Immortality

Houyi was banished to the lower world, and the couple became mortals. Feeling deeply sorry for his wife, he conferred with Chang’e: “The hierarchy in heaven is strict. Life on earth is free and easy. But mortals will eventually die. If we desire immortality, we must cross the Weak Water, climb the volcano, and ascend Mount Kunlun to seek the elixir of immortality from the Queen Mother of the West.”

Queen Mother of the West

The Queen Mother of the West originally lived in a cave atop Jade Mountain in the west. Three blue birds with red heads and black eyes took turns fetching food for her.

She had the teeth of a tiger and the tail of a leopard, her hair flowing freely. She wore a jade hairpin. Every morning and evening, she perched on the mountaintop, roaring and howling.

She controlled natural disasters, plagues, and punishments. She also refined and stored the elixir of immortality. When Huangdi retired to the Nine Heavens, the Queen Mother of the West relocated to Mount Kunlun.

By then, she had transformed into a noble lady with elegant grace and graceful manners.

Overcoming all obstacles

Kunlun Mountain is surrounded by the Weak Water. Not only can it not carry a boat, even a falling bird feather would sink it. Beyond the Weak Water lies the Fiery Mountain, whose flames blaze day and night. With unparalleled divine power and superhuman willpower, Houyi traversed the Fiery Mountain and the Weak Water, scaling a sheer cliff 13,113 steps high, two feet six inches. He met the Queen Mother of the West in her palace atop Kunlun Mountain.

The Queen Mother of the West Presents the Elixir of Immortality

Admiring Yi’s achievements and sympathizing with his plight, she generously gave him the elixir:

“The elixir of immortality is made from the immortal fruit of the Immortal Tree. The Immortal Tree blooms and bears fruit once every three thousand years. It takes another three thousand years to refine it.

I only have one pill left in my collection. If we share it, we both gain immortality. If we take it alone, we ascend to heaven and become an immortal.”

Breach of Contract

Houyi’s wish came true, and he was overjoyed. Returning, he made a pact with Chang’e: they would share the elixir on their wedding anniversary.

As the saying goes, “People strive for heights, water flows to the bottom.” Even the gods are not immune to this worldly temptation. Chang’e, unable to resist the allure of heavenly life, swallowed the pill alone while Houyi was out hunting at night.

A miracle indeed occurred:

Chang’e gradually felt her body lose weight, her feet lifted off the ground. Unconsciously, she floated out of the window, rising like a hydrogen balloon. Where to go?

Chang’e pondered: I’ve betrayed my husband. The gods in heaven will surely blame and mock me. It would be better for me to seek refuge with the moon goddess, Changxi, and find temporary refuge in the Moon Palace.

Chang’e arrived at the Moon Palace, only to find it strangely deserted. She spent the long night grappling with loneliness and regret. Slowly, she transformed into a white toad, a moon spirit.