Mandarin Monday: All Your Moony Vocabulary
Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节快 (Zhōngqiū Jié), the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which is when the moon is at its roundest and brightest, making the moon central to this traditional holiday. So, let's explore some Chinese language and culture behind this celestial beauty.
Moon Vocabulary and Phrases
Let's start with some common moon vocabulary and phrases related to the moon and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- The moon: 月亮 yuèliàng
- Full moon: 满月 mǎnyuè
- Bright moon: 明月 míngyuè
- Mooncake: 月饼 yuèbǐng
- To admire the moon: 赏月 shǎng yuè
- Light lanterns: 点灯笼 diǎn dēnglóng
- Share legends of the moon: 月亮的传说 yuèliàng de chuánshuō
- Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!: 中秋节快乐! Zhōngqiū Jié kuàilè!
- Tonight the moon is so round!: 今晚的月亮好圆! Jīn wǎn de yuèliàng hǎo yuán!
- The moon is so beautiful!: 月亮真美! Yuèliàng zhēn měi!
- “May we live long and share the beauty of the moon together, even if we are thousands of miles apart.” “但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。” Dàn yuàn rén cháng jiǔ, qiānlǐ gòng chánjuān. – A line from a poem by Chinese poet Su Shi (苏轼) that is often quoted during Mid-Autumn Festival.
Moon Nicknames
There are many poetic nicknames for the moon in Chinese. Here are a few of them.
- 弦月 Xián yuè, 月弓 Yuè gong: The crescent moon
- 冰魄 Bīng pò: The icy soul
- 寒璧 Hán bì: The cold jade
- 丹桂 Dān guì: The orange osmanthus
- 白玉盘 Báiyù pán: The white jade plate
Legends of the Moon
The Mid-Autumn Festival is also wrapped up in some famous myths:
Chang'e: 嫦娥 Chángé – The graceful Moon Goddess who, after drinking an elixir of immortality, floated away from Earth and ascended to the moon. There she lives in a lonely palace, gazing down at the mortal world. Her story symbolizes both eternal beauty and eternal longing, and she is one of the most beloved figures in Chinese mythology.
The Jade Rabbit: 玉兔 Yùtù – The Jade Rabbit, Chang’e’s faithful companion, is said to pound herbs with a mortar and pestle on the moon. In some versions of the tale, the rabbit is constantly preparing the elixir of life. The Jade Rabbit has become a symbol of loyalty, selflessness and quiet devotion, often appearing in poetry, art and even modern-day cartoons.
Wu Gang: 吴刚 Wú Gāng – A mortal punished by the heavens, Wu Gang is condemned to chop down a magical osmanthus tree on the moon. Yet each time his axe strikes, the tree heals itself, meaning his labor will never end. His endless task makes him a symbol of perseverance and futility.
READ: Full Moon Party: What to Serve at a Mid-Autumn Festival Dinner
Images: Canva
