The Heavenly Weaving Maiden A Tale of Love and Lon
The Heavenly Weaving Maiden: A Tale of Love and Longing from Ancient Chinese Mythology
The Story Behind the Constellations
In ancient Chinese mythology, there exists a beautiful legend about Chang'e, the goddess of the moon, and her companion, the Weaving Maiden. According to folklore, Chang'e was once a mortal woman who consumed an elixir of immortality given by a mysterious old man. As punishment for her transgression, she was banished to live on the moon forever.
The Celestial Weaver's Tale
Chang'e was not alone in her lunar exile; she had a loyal companion named Zhinü or Weaving Maiden. Zhinü was also an immortal goddess who lived among the stars as part of another constellation called "the seven celestial sisters." In their free time from weaving clouds for heaven's fabric, they would often gaze at Earth below.
The Forbidden Love
Legend has it that Chang'e and Zhinü fell deeply in love with two mortals back on Earth - Hou Yi and his wife Feng Meng. Hou Yi was known for his exceptional archery skills that saved humanity from ten suns during daybreak one day when all ten suns were shining simultaneously in the sky. His bravery earned him great admiration and respect among people.
Separation by Fate
Despite their deep affection for each other, fate had other plans for them all involved in this divine love story – including Hou Yi's wife Feng Meng who eventually discovered his affair with both Chang'e and Zhinü while they were still living on Earth together.
An Eternity Apart
When Feng Meng learned about her husband's infidelity with both heavenly beings – without knowing he loved them equally but could never be together due to their different realms – she became angry enough to shoot arrows at both Chang'e and Zhinü causing them immense pain before finally dying herself from grief over what happened between her husband & those celestial beings.
Afterward these two heavenly lovers were heartbroken but did find solace by becoming immortal companions instead now living side-by-side above us under our night sky as we know today as "The Moon" (Chang-e) & "The Seven Stars" (Zhinu).
