Chang'e, originally known as Heng'e (姮娥), is the goddess of the Moon and wife of Hou Yi, the great archer. Renowned by her beauty, Chang'e is also known for her ascending to the Moon with her pet Yu Tu, the Moon Rabbit and living in the Moon Palace (广寒宫). She is one of the major goddesses in Chinese mythology, Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. In modern times, Chang'e is the namesake of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program.
Chang'e flies to the Moon drawn by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
The painting The Moon Goddess Chang E, dated to around 1500 (Ming dynasty)
The ornate style of clothing worn by these four women suggests they are Immortals. The osmanthus leaf held by the largest figure, at the right, identifies her as the Moon Goddess Chang’e, who inhabits her celestial palace along with a rabbit that prepares the elixir of long life.
The jade rabbit lived on the Moon preparing the elixir of life.
A lunar deity or moon deity is a deity who represents the Moon, or an aspect of it. These deities can have a variety of functions and traditions depending upon the culture, but they are often related. Lunar deities and Moon worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms.
Selene and Endymion, by Albert Aublet
Disk depicting a dismembered Coyolxāuhqui (Coyolxauhqui Stone, c. 1473 CE)
