文化 | Hello China 英文版《你好中国》（07-08）

2019暑假已至！本号试图利用假期时间，每天分享Hello China 英文版《你好，中国》，每期2集，从不同角度用英语阐释中华文化。为英语，尤其是高中英语学习中华文化铺路。

需要说明的是Hello China 英文版《你好，中国》是由中国国家广电总局主办、中国国际广播电台、高等教育出版社联合策划实施的大型多媒体系列文化项目。本分享视频来自腾讯视频，版权归原作者所有。本分享旨在学生英语学习。

07 Moon and its significance in Chinese culture

What does the moon mean in Chinese culture?

In Chinese minds, the moon is associated with gentleness and brightness, expressing the beautiful yearnings of the Chinese. On the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, the moon is full and it is time to mark the Moon Festival, or the Mid-Autumn Festival. The round shape symbolizes family reunion. Therefore, the day is a holiday for family members to get together and enjoy the full moon – an auspicious token of abundance, harmony, and luck. 

The moon has special meaning in China. Many Chinese legends are related with the moon, and the most typical one is 'chang e ben yue' (嫦娥奔月，the Goddess Chang E flying to the moon), which is known to almost every Chinese. The moon also appears in lots of Chinese poems, which means that the poet is missing his home, friends or the beloved. 

According to traditional Chinese culture, the moon is a carrier of human emotions. Ancient Chinese myth and philosophy explain why the Chinese prefer the moon.

In Chinese fairy tales, the fairy Chang E lived on the moon with a wood cutter named Wu Gang and her pet jade rabbit. In the old days, people paid respect to the fairy Chang E and her pet, the jade rabbit.

The Lady - Chang E

The story takes place around 2170 B.C. At that time, the earth had ten suns circling it, each taking its turn to illuminate the earth. But one day all ten suns appeared together, scorching the earth with their heat. The earth was saved by a strong and tyrannical archer named Hou Yi. He succeeded in shooting down nine of the suns. One day, Hou Yi stole the elixir of life from a goddess. However, his beautiful wife Chang E drank the elixir of life in order to save the people from her husband's tyrannical rule. After drinking it, she found herself floating and flew all they way to the moon. Hou Yi loved his divinely beautiful wife so much, he refused to shoot down the moon.

The moon and Chinese culture

Chinese have a special fondness for the Moon. There is no doubt about that, particularly if you have got a chance to celebrate the well-known Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival in this country.

Every year as the Autumn Moon waxes full, Chinese people gather under the night sky in admiration. The festival is held as an auspicious rite, bringing promises of abundance, harmony and good fortune.

The festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. It is the second most important in Chinese tradition, after the Spring Festival. It's also an occasion for eating moon-cakes and enjoying family reunions.

Many people are drawn to the Moon's mystery and charm. So it's not surprising that the celestial body is the theme of many songs, movies, operas, poems and plays. The Moon is often associated with romantic affairs. In the classical tune "The Moon Represents My Heart", it represents deep and faithful love.

The moon, crescent or full, never fails to trigger people's infinite wonder.

08 Chinese Lunar Calendar

The Chinese Calendar

The Chinese calendar has 12 or 13 lunar months per year, and is about 20 to 50 days behind the Gregorian calendar. It’s used to determine the dates of traditional Chinese festivals, like Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn. It’s also used for Chinese zodiac astrology, and many Chinese still celebrate their Chinese calendar birthdays.

Chinese Calendar Uses: Festivals, Lucky Dates…

Although China uses the Gregorian (global) calendar for most official and business purposes, the Chinese calendar is still used to determine the days of traditional festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn.

It is used by some for celebrating birthdays, and even for agriculture (when to plough, plant, harvest, etc.) and how Chinese view the four seasons.

The Chinese calendar is still popular among the Chinese people for Chinese zodiac horoscopes and choosing auspicious days for weddings, funerals, relocation, etc. It is also used by other East Asian countries including Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.