Ch'ang-O

Name(s): Ch'ang-O, Moon Goddess
Symbol(s): Moon; beautiful female form, hare; toad; cassia tree
Motif(s): Example of those consequences attached to non-altruism.

Myth(s): Before Ch'ang-O became a moon goddess she lived on earth with her husband Yi, the divine archer. For heroic deeds, Hsi Wang Mu (Queen of the West) awarded Yi the elixir of immortality. In time Chang-O became aware of her own mortality and Yi, taking pity on his wife requested more of the immortal elixir from Hsi Wang Mu. She granted his request and explained that both people must drink equal portions of the elixir and warned that if one drinks the entire vial all their own then they will immediately ascend into heaven. Yi brought the elixir home to earth and while away Ch'ang-O became anxious to consume it. Finding the elixir in her husbands belongings, Ch'ang-O began to the drink from the vial, simultaneously Yi returned home early. This startled Ch'ang-O so she drank the elixir nearly gone; immediately, her feet left the ground and her body floated toward the heavens. However, she had drank the entire vial and was only able to  float as far as the moon. Here, she remained for ever with only the company of a hare, a toad and a Cassia tree.  It is said that eventually,Yi gained full immortality and was able to make occasional visits to his wife on the moon.