Rabbits are famous for their ability to have so many children in such a small amount of time amongst other things including its relation to Easter, the moon and of gods and goddesses (such as Chang E and Eostre).
Amongst its lessons, one is of vigilance as one doesn’t know what will happen in life. Keeping vigilant is useful, as keeping alert to one’s surrounding helps keep an idea of what’s going on and who’s around which can be of importance.
Fertility is an obvious lesson of the rabbit, it however does not necessarily relate fertility in the sense of creating babies. Fertility can very much relate to all life in general, it can be of a large tree dropping leaves (which fertilizes the ground and said fertilizing of the ground helps keep the tree healthy along with whatever close by plant there is). Such a lesson can make one ask, “Am I bringing fertility to this earth?” and there is always a way to bring fertility such as composting.
The rabbit teaches of fear and how it has to be dealt with. While fears are obviously of what one wouldn’t usually want to face, the need to face fear is always there and will be until the very fear is dealt with.
Agility and quick thinking is of the rabbit. Whomever who has seen a wild rabbit before knows they can move fast and act quickly. Being able to use one’s own agility and to literally think fast is useful even if not used often as the rabbit tells.
Examination of diet is of what the rabbit suggests. One may need to get a better diet and it is always a great thing to do. Taking a vegetarian diet like rabbits do themselves is to be tried, even if it is not for a long period of time.
Many fruits and vegetables can be offered to the rabbit, cilantro, carrots (especially the tops) and parsley would make great offerings. Hay and straw also make good offerings, the choice of hay being slightly green with a pleasantly fresh smell.
Showing posts with label Chang E. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chang E. Show all posts
Friday, April 8, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Gods And Goddesses: Chang E
Chang E, also known as Chang O and originally as Heng E and/or Heng O but changed to what it is now due to a naming taboo against speaking or writing the names of exalted people in China. Chang E is the moon goddess who is said to live on the moon and whom the spacecraft Chang’e 1 was named after.
While Chang E represents the moon, her husband Houyi, or simply Yi, represents the sun. Chan Chu, also known as the Three-Legged Frog/Toad, represents Chang E and is said to live on the moon alongside with a rabbit that is a companion of Chang E. This rabbit, also known as the ‘Jade Rabbit’, is said to be constantly pounding a Elixir of Immortality for Chang E.
Worship of Chang E is most frequent around the Mid-Autumn Festival, with the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival considered the day of Chang E’s birthday. During the Mid-Autumn Festival alters are set up to Chang E with incense being burnt as an offering. It is also common to offer fruits, flowers and mooncake.
These alters that are set up tend to be facing the moon with items such as lotions, bath salts and make up are placed on the alter to Chang E. These beauty items are for Chang E herself to bless as it is said worshippers of Chang E will be endowed with great beauty.
Chang E also is mentioned in Journey to the West where it is explained that the greedy Zhu Bajie, while as commander of 80,000 heavenly warriors, got drunk at a party. Chang E was seen by Zhu Bajie who was captivated by the beauty of this goddess and tried to make advances on Chang E. These advances failed and Chang E reported Zhu Bajie’s behaviour to the Jade Emperor and it is said that since then Chang E has been reluctant to go to Heaven.
There are a couple legends involving Chang E that involve her husband Houyi. One legend starts with Chang E and Houyi living as immortals in Heaven. The ruler of Heaven, the Jade Emperor, had ten sons who decided to transform into suns that caused a scorching of the earth. The Jade Emperor ordered his sons to stop ruining the earth and failed, so Houyi was asked to help.
Houyi used his archery skills to shoot down nine of the Jade Emperor’s sons, leaving one son to be sun. The Jade Emperor wasn’t pleased by this as nine of his sons were now dead so as punishment both Houyi and his wife, Chang E, was banished to earth to live as mortals.
Chang E was miserable over her lose of immortality so Houyi decided to quest for immortality both Chang E and himself. Houyi eventually got given a pill that would make people immortal by a goddess known as Queen Mother of the West, this pill also could be broken in half and make two people immortal.
Houyi took the pill home where it was stored in a case, warning Chang E not to open the case before leaving home. Chang E out of severe curiosity checked the case and found the pill as Houyi got back home, fear that Houyi would catch her with the case caused Chang E to accidentally swallow the pill. Chang E started to float to the sky and continued to float until she landed on the moon where she had company of the jade rabbit and Chan Chu.
The other legend of Chang E tells how she lived in Heaven and one day accidentally broke a precious jar. Punishment was banishment to earth and was allowed to come back to Heaven if she contributed a valuable service on earth.
Chang E on earth was transformed into a girl of a rich farming family. Chang E grew into a young beautiful woman and was spotted by a hunter from another village, Houyi, whom Chang E became friends with.
Eventually a strange event of ten suns coming into the sky rather than one, bringing the earth to an unbearable heat. Houyi with his bow and arrows shot down nine of these suns and became a hero ad eventually a king, marrying Chang E.
Houyi as a king turned both greedy and selfish, turning his sights onto immortality and ordered an elixir for the purpose of prolonging his life to be created. This elixir came in a form of a pill that Chang E came across that she either accidentally or purposely swallowed. Houyi was angered by this so Chang E fled, jumping out of a window of a chamber at the top of the palace she lived within. Upon jumping out the window Chang E floated to the moon instead of falling to her death. Later, Houyi ascended to the sun where he built a palace.
While Chang E represents the moon, her husband Houyi, or simply Yi, represents the sun. Chan Chu, also known as the Three-Legged Frog/Toad, represents Chang E and is said to live on the moon alongside with a rabbit that is a companion of Chang E. This rabbit, also known as the ‘Jade Rabbit’, is said to be constantly pounding a Elixir of Immortality for Chang E.
Worship of Chang E is most frequent around the Mid-Autumn Festival, with the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival considered the day of Chang E’s birthday. During the Mid-Autumn Festival alters are set up to Chang E with incense being burnt as an offering. It is also common to offer fruits, flowers and mooncake.
These alters that are set up tend to be facing the moon with items such as lotions, bath salts and make up are placed on the alter to Chang E. These beauty items are for Chang E herself to bless as it is said worshippers of Chang E will be endowed with great beauty.
Chang E also is mentioned in Journey to the West where it is explained that the greedy Zhu Bajie, while as commander of 80,000 heavenly warriors, got drunk at a party. Chang E was seen by Zhu Bajie who was captivated by the beauty of this goddess and tried to make advances on Chang E. These advances failed and Chang E reported Zhu Bajie’s behaviour to the Jade Emperor and it is said that since then Chang E has been reluctant to go to Heaven.
There are a couple legends involving Chang E that involve her husband Houyi. One legend starts with Chang E and Houyi living as immortals in Heaven. The ruler of Heaven, the Jade Emperor, had ten sons who decided to transform into suns that caused a scorching of the earth. The Jade Emperor ordered his sons to stop ruining the earth and failed, so Houyi was asked to help.
Houyi used his archery skills to shoot down nine of the Jade Emperor’s sons, leaving one son to be sun. The Jade Emperor wasn’t pleased by this as nine of his sons were now dead so as punishment both Houyi and his wife, Chang E, was banished to earth to live as mortals.
Chang E was miserable over her lose of immortality so Houyi decided to quest for immortality both Chang E and himself. Houyi eventually got given a pill that would make people immortal by a goddess known as Queen Mother of the West, this pill also could be broken in half and make two people immortal.
Houyi took the pill home where it was stored in a case, warning Chang E not to open the case before leaving home. Chang E out of severe curiosity checked the case and found the pill as Houyi got back home, fear that Houyi would catch her with the case caused Chang E to accidentally swallow the pill. Chang E started to float to the sky and continued to float until she landed on the moon where she had company of the jade rabbit and Chan Chu.
The other legend of Chang E tells how she lived in Heaven and one day accidentally broke a precious jar. Punishment was banishment to earth and was allowed to come back to Heaven if she contributed a valuable service on earth.
Chang E on earth was transformed into a girl of a rich farming family. Chang E grew into a young beautiful woman and was spotted by a hunter from another village, Houyi, whom Chang E became friends with.
Eventually a strange event of ten suns coming into the sky rather than one, bringing the earth to an unbearable heat. Houyi with his bow and arrows shot down nine of these suns and became a hero ad eventually a king, marrying Chang E.
Houyi as a king turned both greedy and selfish, turning his sights onto immortality and ordered an elixir for the purpose of prolonging his life to be created. This elixir came in a form of a pill that Chang E came across that she either accidentally or purposely swallowed. Houyi was angered by this so Chang E fled, jumping out of a window of a chamber at the top of the palace she lived within. Upon jumping out the window Chang E floated to the moon instead of falling to her death. Later, Houyi ascended to the sun where he built a palace.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Mid-Autumn Festival
On the fifteenth day of the eight lunar month, roughly around the time of the autumn equinox is the Mid-Autumn Festival or Zhongqiu Jie. It is held that at this time of the year when the moon is visually most large and bright or “fullest”.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is when farmers celebrate the end of the summer harvesting season and when families gather to enjoy the beauty of the autumn moon. In terms of important Chinese holidays, this specific one is second in importance only to the Chinese New Year.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival, Mooncake Festival, Lantern Festival, Fifteenth of the Eighth Moon and Festival of Reunion. Why it is known as the Festival of Reunion is due to the full moon being a symbol of family reunion and families do have reunions during this time.
Alters to the moon goddess Chang E are often made during the Mid-Autumn Festival with incense burning as an offering. Alters to Chang E typically are facing the moon and such items as lotion, bath salts and make up are placed on the alter for the moon goddess herself to bless as Chang E is said to endow those who worship her with great beauty.
People also carry lanterns that are brightly lit and lantern shows are a part of some celebrations. People are also known to perform or attend Dragon Dances and other performances. Planting trees are common practice of the Mid-Autumn Festival along with having a dinner during the family reunion.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival people commonly make and eat mooncakes which are sweet, round and about three inches in diameters. Mooncakes have many varieties reaching into the hundreds, typically being filled with such things as nuts, melon seeds, almonds and orange peels. The crust of mooncakes often have symbols on them associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Traditionally people pile thirteen mooncakes to symbolize the thirteen lunar months of the year and it is said the best place to eat a mooncake outside while under the moon.
A Chinese legend states that mooncakes helped bring a revolution during the Yuan dynasty (1280 to 1368AD), established by the invading Mongolians of the north. It is said that a Han Chinese rebel, Liu Fu Tong, created a scheme to arouse the Han Chinese to rise up against the ruling Mongolians.
Liu Fu Tong wanted permission from Mongolian leaders to give gifts to friends as symbolic gesture of honouring the longevity of the Mongolian emperor. The gift was mooncakes where Liu Fu Tong had followers place pieces of paper with the date the Han Chinese were to do a rebellion that just happened to be on the fifteenth night of the eighth month. Liu Fu Tong got word to the Han Chinese who set out to overthrow the Mongolians and ending the Yuan dynasty. Since then giving mooncakes on the Mid-Autumn Festival has became a tradition.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is when farmers celebrate the end of the summer harvesting season and when families gather to enjoy the beauty of the autumn moon. In terms of important Chinese holidays, this specific one is second in importance only to the Chinese New Year.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival, Mooncake Festival, Lantern Festival, Fifteenth of the Eighth Moon and Festival of Reunion. Why it is known as the Festival of Reunion is due to the full moon being a symbol of family reunion and families do have reunions during this time.
Alters to the moon goddess Chang E are often made during the Mid-Autumn Festival with incense burning as an offering. Alters to Chang E typically are facing the moon and such items as lotion, bath salts and make up are placed on the alter for the moon goddess herself to bless as Chang E is said to endow those who worship her with great beauty.
People also carry lanterns that are brightly lit and lantern shows are a part of some celebrations. People are also known to perform or attend Dragon Dances and other performances. Planting trees are common practice of the Mid-Autumn Festival along with having a dinner during the family reunion.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival people commonly make and eat mooncakes which are sweet, round and about three inches in diameters. Mooncakes have many varieties reaching into the hundreds, typically being filled with such things as nuts, melon seeds, almonds and orange peels. The crust of mooncakes often have symbols on them associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Traditionally people pile thirteen mooncakes to symbolize the thirteen lunar months of the year and it is said the best place to eat a mooncake outside while under the moon.
A Chinese legend states that mooncakes helped bring a revolution during the Yuan dynasty (1280 to 1368AD), established by the invading Mongolians of the north. It is said that a Han Chinese rebel, Liu Fu Tong, created a scheme to arouse the Han Chinese to rise up against the ruling Mongolians.
Liu Fu Tong wanted permission from Mongolian leaders to give gifts to friends as symbolic gesture of honouring the longevity of the Mongolian emperor. The gift was mooncakes where Liu Fu Tong had followers place pieces of paper with the date the Han Chinese were to do a rebellion that just happened to be on the fifteenth night of the eighth month. Liu Fu Tong got word to the Han Chinese who set out to overthrow the Mongolians and ending the Yuan dynasty. Since then giving mooncakes on the Mid-Autumn Festival has became a tradition.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Chan Chu
Chan Chu, also known as the Lucky Money Toad, Three-Legged Money Frog, Three-Legged Frog, King Money Frog and simply as Money Frog/Toad. Easily recognisable by the fact she is a frog or toad with three legs, often seen with a coin in her mouth and it is common to see Chan Chu on top of either a pile of coins, ingots or a mirror used in Feng Shui, the bagua. Not only that, Chan Chu has flared nostrils and red eyes which show a frightening look.
The coin itself that Chan Chu holds in his mouth is a I Ching coin which have been used as amulets to ward off evil and disease, but also for good luck. The bagua which Chan Chu is commonly seen sitting on is for the encouragement of the flow a lovely thing called chi. The ingots Chan Chu is also seen sitting on is of a simple boat shape which symbolizes abundance and an easy life.
Chan Chu is also known to have a lovely symbol on its back, the pa kua, symbolizing protection. Not only that, frogs symbolizes wealth and with a protection symbol on its back, Chan Chu is said to help bring in money and protect it as well. Chan Chu is also said to help get rid of bad luck.
In Feng Shui, Chan Chu would be placed in the living room of a house or the main room of a business, specifically at the corner diagonally opposite of the entrance door as it is said corners are where chi concentrates and chi flow will be helped with this. This is said to be the best placement for Chan Chu.
Another thing done in Feng Shui being Chan Chu placed facing out the entrance door during the day and facing inwards of the house in the late afternoon and night. This symbolizes Chan Chu going out during the day to fetch money and later coming back with it.
Two of these frogs may also be bought and placed by a front door, one placing inwards of the house and the other facing outwards. The one facing inside brings in money while the other collects the money.
Some people will even buy nine Chan Chu’s as it is said nine is the ideal number, with these frogs placed randomly all over the living room, all facing in different directions.
Symbolically, Chan Chu represents the moon goddess, Chang E, and is even said to live on the moon. The reason for Chan Chu living on the moon comes from the legend that originally Chan Chu was the wife of one of the Eight Immortals and a greedy person herself. It is said that Chan Chu stole the Elixir of Immortality from a goddess known as Queen Mother of the West. She was punished by being turned into a three legged from and sent to the moon.
Lui Hai, one of the Eight Immortals, is also said to have known of Chan Chu’s like for money and use a red line tied with gold coins to lure Chan Chu out from hiding. It is for this that frogs with coins symbolize the soon coming of wealth.
The coin itself that Chan Chu holds in his mouth is a I Ching coin which have been used as amulets to ward off evil and disease, but also for good luck. The bagua which Chan Chu is commonly seen sitting on is for the encouragement of the flow a lovely thing called chi. The ingots Chan Chu is also seen sitting on is of a simple boat shape which symbolizes abundance and an easy life.
Chan Chu is also known to have a lovely symbol on its back, the pa kua, symbolizing protection. Not only that, frogs symbolizes wealth and with a protection symbol on its back, Chan Chu is said to help bring in money and protect it as well. Chan Chu is also said to help get rid of bad luck.
In Feng Shui, Chan Chu would be placed in the living room of a house or the main room of a business, specifically at the corner diagonally opposite of the entrance door as it is said corners are where chi concentrates and chi flow will be helped with this. This is said to be the best placement for Chan Chu.
Another thing done in Feng Shui being Chan Chu placed facing out the entrance door during the day and facing inwards of the house in the late afternoon and night. This symbolizes Chan Chu going out during the day to fetch money and later coming back with it.
Two of these frogs may also be bought and placed by a front door, one placing inwards of the house and the other facing outwards. The one facing inside brings in money while the other collects the money.
Some people will even buy nine Chan Chu’s as it is said nine is the ideal number, with these frogs placed randomly all over the living room, all facing in different directions.
Symbolically, Chan Chu represents the moon goddess, Chang E, and is even said to live on the moon. The reason for Chan Chu living on the moon comes from the legend that originally Chan Chu was the wife of one of the Eight Immortals and a greedy person herself. It is said that Chan Chu stole the Elixir of Immortality from a goddess known as Queen Mother of the West. She was punished by being turned into a three legged from and sent to the moon.
Lui Hai, one of the Eight Immortals, is also said to have known of Chan Chu’s like for money and use a red line tied with gold coins to lure Chan Chu out from hiding. It is for this that frogs with coins symbolize the soon coming of wealth.
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