The Archer and the Moon Goddess

By: Christophe, Tonia, Taylor, Naomi, and Tuba

Chinese Mythology

• Collection of rich, complex and intricate literature
• Han Chinese
• 12th century B.C
• Theatre, songs, books
• Many versions of the same story
• Gods were treated and described the same way as man
• Euhemerus’ Theory
• Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism

Mid-Autumn Festival

• Harvest festival
• Autumn full moon
• Gathering, thanksgiving, praying
• Moon worship, offerings made to Chang O

Part 1: The Downing of the Nine Suns

Dijun, the Sun god and his wife had 10 sons who were flaming birds.

He told his sons to only fly up one at a time while the others rested in the sea.

Angry, the 10 sons rebelled against Dijun and all flew up at once.

The suns were scorching the earth, so a god by the name of Yi felt it was necessary to take action and shoot the rebels down.

Dijun gave him permission, but warned that Yi should not hurt the rebels any more than is necessary.

Yi shot down 9 of the 10 sons before the last son surrendered and never disobeyed his parents again.

Part 2: Chang O's Flight to the Moon

Angry with Yi, Dijun punishes Yi and his wife Chang O by banishing them from heaven.

While Yi wanted to become immortal on earth forever, Chang O was not satisfied and wanted to return to heaven.

Yi ventures to find the elixir of immortality from the Queen Mother of the West, because the elixir either has the power to grant immortality for both of them, or turn one of them into a god.

When Yi returns with the potion, Chang O drinks it all and immediately regrets her decision.

She decides to float to the moon instead of back to heaven, becoming the goddess of the moon.

Mural

Themes

• Darkness and Light
• Selfishness
• Morality vs. Immorality

Motifs

• Betrayal
• Selfishness and Regret
• Disobedience and Consequences

Greek, Norse and Egyptian

The Downing of the Nine Suns

• Gods treated at a higher class
• Treat and dispose of them whenever

Chang O's Flight to the Moon

• Hell
• Gods treated as a more superior race
• More privileges and powers

Dijun

• The sun god
• Father of 10 sons
• Most influential and powerful
• Cares more about his sons

Yi

• God of Archery
• Strong sense of justice
• Easily angered
• Compassionate god
• Strong determination
• Loves Chang O
• Hero god for the people on earth

Chang O

• Goddess of the Moon, Yi's wife
• Dislikes not having power
• Greedy, selfish
• Like Eve and Pandora she chooses wrongly
• Makes a mistake and regrets her decision

Queen Mother of the West

• Face of a woman, body of a beast and tail of a leopard
• Kind towards Yi
• Generous
• Capable god with large amounts of power

Journal Question:

How does this myth, in comparison to the other myths, portray the idea of hope?

Chinese Mythology in our Lives

Bowser

"Dragonball" anime and manga series, the character Kami-Sama

Pokémon Growlithe and its evolution Arcanine

Shisa

Jade Emperor

Dragon Turtle

Gods and Goddesses

Dijun: god of the sun

Dizang: ruler of the ten hells

Gong Gong: water god

Matsu: goddess of the sea

Zhao Gongming: god of prosperity

Guan Yu: god of martial power, and war

Hou Yi: god of archery

Chang O: goddess of the Moon

Xi Wangmu: Queen Mother of the West

Introduction

Buddhism

Confucianism

Taoism

Themes, Motifs, Symbols

Symbols

• Moon
• Jade Rabbit
• Cassia Tree
• Raven

The Archer and the Moon Goddess

Comparisons

Character Analysis