Yuè (月)

Not to be confused with Yuè (Constellation).

Yuè (月) in Chinese holds dual meanings: it refers tothe Moon of the Earth and a unit of time, equivalent to a month. The character "月" in oracle bone script 3000 years ago resembles a crescent moon, reflecting ancient Chinese observations of lunar phases. Symbolically, the Moon embodies poetic imagination, philosophical contemplation, and mythological narratives in Chinese culture, while its role in calendrical systems underscores its practical importance in agriculture and timekeeping.

Name Variants and History

Name Variants

Ancient Chinese people had many variants for the moon name, most of which were elegant appellations coined in literary works based on certain attributes of the moon. Some names were metaphorical, derived from its shape or qualities—for instance, yù lún（玉轮, "jade wheel"）or yù pán（玉盘, "jade disc"）, likening the moon’s roundness and luminous clarity to fine jade or ornamental objects. Others stemmed from mythology, such as Cháng’é（嫦娥, "Chang’e"）, yù tù（玉兔, "jade rabbit"）, yù chán（玉蟾, "jade toad"）, or Wàngshū（望舒, "Wangshu", the charioteer of the moon）. Still others combined elements of both metaphor and myth. These names were not standardized, reflecting the creativity of the people. Besides, Tàiyīn（太阴, "Great Yin"）was a relatively common epithet, rooted in the cosmological theory of yīn yáng（阴阳, "yin and yang"）, and serving as the counterpart to the sun, or Tàiyáng（太阳, "Great Yang"）.

Dark Spots on the Moon

Since at least the Western Han period (202BCE to 8 CE), images depicting the moon have included the figures of a Jade Rabbit and/or a toad. Although we have no direct evidence, some suggests that these lunar creatures were inspired by the dark spots visible on the moon’s surface. Others have interpreted these markings as representing a cassia tree and the figure of Wu Gang from another myth. In modern times, some even imagine the spots as resembling a crab, though the origin of this association remains unknown.

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  The Jade Rabbit (玉兔 Yùtù) who makes the elixir of Life on the Moon (China).

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  The Moon Toad, 金蟾 (Jin Chan).

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  The Moon Crab (China)

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  Change'e (嫦娥 Cháng'é), the immortal lady who flew to the Moon (China).

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  Wu Gang (吳剛, Wú Gāng), The immortal Lumberjack on the Moon (China).

Phases of the Moon

Is there a scientific or mythological interpretation for the phases of the moon?

Lunar Eclipse

explanation/ mythology/ rituals

Mythology

mnemonic tales and cultural significance

In China, there is a huge variety of mythologies connected to the dark and bright spots on the Moon: in addition to the rabbit, there is also the idea of a toad or a crab. Instead of a man, a princess is seen there.

There are various legends about the woman in the moon and the man in the moon in East Asia: according to one legend, Chang'e consumed an elixir of immortality that her husband had won for his archery skills; according to another, she is a moon princess or moon goddess who visited Earth briefly but is actually immortal and belongs on the moon. She lives with the Jade Rabbit in a palace on the moon. Wu Gang, the woodcutter, was condemned to cut down a certain olive tree on the moon, which, to his chagrin, has self-healing powers and always grows back.

In any case, the person on the moon is linked to eternity, and that must be quite lonely in the long run, because eternity is quite long – especially towards the end.

In Buddhism, the moon is a symbol of truth and virtue, as these actually last relatively long (eternally).

References

• References (general)