Houyi, seeking perpetual youth, obtained the elixir of immortality from the Queen Mother of the West in the Kunlun Mountains. Upon returning, he confided this to his beloved wife Chang'e, a woman of graceful carriage and unparalleled beauty.
One day, while Houyi was away, Chang'e secretly swallowed the elixir, hoping to become immortal. Unexpectedly, she felt herself becoming light and began to float uncontrollably, drifting through the air until she reached the Moon Palace.
Later generations regard her as the Moon Goddess. This beautiful tale has long been cherished by the Chinese people and serves as a favorite allusion for poets and writers.
For instance, Chairman Mao Zedong's poem commemorating his martyred wife, Yang Kaihui, contains these famous lines:
The lonely moon goddess spreads her ample sleeves
To dance for these loyal souls in infinite space.
In the original Chinese, the name "Chang'e" is used instead of "moon goddess." Her image—a beauty in elegant, ancient garments, floating toward the moon—continues to provide unending inspiration for painters and sculptors.