Christopher Byassee
Staff reporter
Not always born in the crucible of creation, sometimes Gods ascend by tragic happenstance. Such is the tale of Chang’e (CHUNG-GA), Goddess of the moon. Among the immortals that lived in the Heavens, Chang’e was the most elegant dancer, like a dove on windswept currents. She drew the affection of the hero archer Hou Yi ( HO-EE) Hou Yi is the Defender of Earth and the two were soon married. Everything was perfect.
Yet, beneath the Heavens, all was not well. Ten suns, the ten children of the Jade Emperor, rose to scorch the earth and boil the seas. Brave Hou Yi, bow in hand, shot nine from the sky, sparing only one. Though the world was saved, the Jade Emperor was furious his children were killed. In punishment, Hou Yi and Chang’e were made mortal. Chang’e grew melancholy and danced no more. To restore their statues in the Heavens, Hou Yi found the Elixir of Immortality, but thieves came to steal it while he was hunting. Chang’e struggled to hide the Elixir, but, in the end, was forced to drink it. Too much for one person, the Elixir gave her immortality, but it also swept her into the sky.
Since then, Chang’e has lived on the moon, forbidden to see her husband, a Jade Rabbit, her only companion. Yet, the Earth is once again in peril, and Chang’e finds herself upon the mortal surface. Perhaps, this is a second chance. If only she can save the world without angering the Jade Emperor, she can, at last, reunite with her husband.
As for Hou Yi’s story, in a time long past, an unexpected calamity came to be. From whence none knew, ten suns rose above the horizon, such incessant light and heat ravaged the Earth wilting fields of grain, drying rivers, even melting forged metal. Bent beneath the scorching rays, the people begged the Emperor- God Di Jun (Supreme God) (DIE- JIN) to aid them. In reply, he called the great archer, Hou Yi. Armed with a mystical red bow and a quiver of white arrows. Hou Yi traveled to Earth. What he found barren land, Shielding his eyes, he peered to the sky where the ten sins cruelly flared.
Knocking an arrow to bow, Hou Yi loosed a warning at the suns hoping to frighten them away, But they impassively remained. So Hou Yi drew again and fired a killing shot. Pierced, the sun exploded in color and a giant red raven with three legs fell to the earth, slain by the white arrow. Eight times more Hou Yi drew an arrow to the cheek. Eight shots more he let fly. Eight more bursts rent the sky, and eight more ravens fell dead. One sun he left alone and so fearful of Hou Yi’s archery, this sun behaved, dipping below the horizon. Now armed with the power of the red raven he smote, sending light and fire against those that threaten the world, be it monster or beast, dragon or sun, man or God, Hou Yi is the Defender of the Earth.
Image Credit: POPSUGAR
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