Moon in Chinese Celestial Cosmology
The choice of the festival's theme -- celebrating the glories and mysteries of the moon -- was a natural. Along with the sun, the moon has long been an object of human curiosity and worship. "It is probable that sun and moon were early held to be deities and that they were the first visible objects of worship," according to the book "Sketches of the History of Man." To the most ancient ancestors of the Chinese, the sun and the moon were considered the "chief objects of veneration," according to records dating to the Han dynasty emperor Wu Di (157-87 B.C.).
In ancient Asian mythology, there is a strong relationship between the moon and water. The moon is said to regulate reservoirs and supplies of water. There is a suggestion that the moon produces fertility and freshness in the soil. The moon's role in bountiful harvests is widely recognized during autumns around the world.
In Chinese celestial cosmology, the moon represents the female principle, or yin. During ancient autumn Moon Festivals, women took center stage because the moon is considered feminine. Only women took part in Moon Festival rituals on the night of the full moon. Altars would be set up in households, and when the full moon appeared, women would make offerings of incense, candles, fruit, flowers, and mooncakes.
The enduring legend of the Moon Goddess, Chang O (Chang-E in other transliterations), reflects the feminine principle of yin, as opposed to the masculine principle of yang, which is symbolized by the sun.
相关单词：celestial
celestial解释：adj.天体的；天上的
celestial例句：
The rosy light yet beamed like a celestial dawn.玫瑰色的红光依然象天上的朝霞一样绚丽。
Gravity governs the motions of celestial bodies.万有引力控制着天体的运动。
相关单词：deities
deities解释：n.神，女神( deity的名词复数 )；神祗；神灵；神明
deities例句：
Zeus and Aphrodite were ancient Greek deities. 宙斯和阿佛洛狄是古希腊的神。 来自《简明英汉词典》
Taoist Wang hesitated occasionally
相关单词：sketches
sketches解释：n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概
sketches例句：
The artist is making sketches for his next painting. 画家正为他的下一幅作品画素描。
You have to admit that these sketches are true to life. 你得承认这些素描很逼真。 来自《简明英汉词典》
相关单词：veneration
veneration解释：n.尊敬，崇拜
veneration例句：
I acquired lasting respect for tradition and veneration for the past.我开始对传统和历史产生了持久的敬慕。
My father venerated General Eisenhower.我父亲十分敬仰艾森豪威尔将军。
相关单词：deity
deity解释：n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物)
deity例句：
Many animals were seen as the manifestation of a deity.许多动物被看作神的化身。
The deity was hidden in the deepest recesses of the temple.神藏在庙宇壁龛的最深处。
相关单词：mythology
mythology解释：n.神话，神话学，神话集
mythology例句：
In Greek mythology,Zeus was the ruler of Gods and men.在希腊神话中，宙斯是众神和人类的统治者。
He is the hero of Greek mythology.他是希腊民间传说中的英雄。
相关单词：incense
incense解释：v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气
incense例句：
This proposal will incense conservation campaigners.这项提议会激怒环保人士。
In summer,they usually burn some coil incense to keep away the mosquitoes.夏天他们通常点香驱蚊。
相关单词：symbolized
symbolized解释：v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的过去式和过去分词 )
symbolized例句：
For Tigress, Joy symbolized the best a woman could expect from life. 在她看，小福子就足代表女人所应有的享受。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
A car symbolized distinction and achievement, and he was proud. 汽车象征着荣誉和成功，所以他很自豪。 来自辞典例句
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