The story of Yu Tu Wang Yue – Jade Rabbit Gazing at the Moon
According to the legend, long ago in ancient China, there was a rabbit who lived in the Moon Palace, home of the Moon Goddess named Chang’e. This rabbit was special, with fur as white as jade and eyes as bright as stars. Every year, on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the rabbit would jump onto the moon to enjoy the moonlight.

One year, the Jade Rabbit discovered that he had run out of herbs and mooncakes to offer to Chang’e. Determined to find more, he descended to Earth and began his search for the missing ingredients. On Earth, he met an old man who offered to help him find the herbs and mooncakes, but only if he could complete three tasks. The Jade Rabbit accepted the challenge and successfully completed the tasks, earning the old man’s assistance in return.

However, when the Jade Rabbit finally found the herbs and mooncakes and tried to return to the Moon Palace, he found that he was unable to fly back to the moon. Stranded on Earth, he could only looked up at the moon and wish he could return one day.

This legend is still very popular in China today, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. People often look up at the moon and imagine the Jade Rabbit living there, still offering his gifts to Chang’e.