Monday, May 12, 2008
Tale of the Moon Goddess
What do you guys think about the Tale of the Moon Goddess? I have heard about the tale, but my version of it is kind of different from how the version in the book goes. I've always heard that it was about a goddess who fell in love with a mortal, but their love was forbidden. So when the heavenly king found about it, he sent her to the moon, so every year at August 15, it was the only day that they could met. The goddess made cakes in the moon, with the rabbits that lived there. That's how the mooncake got its name. I think it goes something like this, but have you guys ever heard about a different version of the tale? And don't you guys think it was wierd how the moon goddess was a male dressed up as a woman? It mad me think about Shakespeare plays, how young boys would often dressed up as woman.
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Actually, I've heard that same version from the Chinese/Mandarin teacher at MHS, Ms. Ho. Do you guys know her? She's the one that told me that tale about the moon goddess.
Also I do find it weird that the moon goddess in the play was played by a male. During that time, women only performed as dancers or played music to men. Anything more, was done by a male. They probably believed that men were more "powerful" and worthy. This fact that men held roles also made me think about the story of Lindo Jong. (Her story starts on page 42; its about the arranged marriage.)This idea of men having higher ranks, roles and "power" over women reminded me of this story because even though everything her husband said was false and was said to make her look like a bad wife, she still had no say or way to defend herself from the false accusations. Not only did she not have any say against her husband and her mother-in-law, but she had no say against her parents' will as well. It just goes to show how women were so neglected over the year; in Shakespeare's time and in ours. I mean women in the U.S were granted the rights to vote in 1920. Up until then, we didn't have a voice either.
Haha, it reminds me of the Elizabethan time of how men dressed up as women as well, but it was funnier that he had a beard and everything and managed to have a high voice to disguise as a woman.
I found online that the story of the moonlady was about how she shot down 10 suns with a bow and took the herb of immortality. With the herb, she fled to the moon, where she finds a bunny none as the Jade Hare. One day her Jade Hare gets stolen from a fake Moon Lady so on the 15th day of every eigth months, she comes and search for it. I don't think the story is right from what I found online because it is really different than what was told in the book. I also found out that Vietnamese people celebrate it as well, known as tet trung thu. I never knew that, but I think the story is told differently, depending on the area you're in.
hahah that high voice and bearded comment just made me think of a gay hair dresser for some odd reason.. hahaha I don't know why but it did and now I can't stop laughing.
And what version have you heard?
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