中秋节不仅有赏月、吃月饼，还有一些鲜为人知的故事和传统。以下是一些可能不为大众熟知的中秋节故事：
The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only famous for admiring the moon and eating moon cakes, but also has some lesser-known stories and traditions. Here are some Mid-Autumn Festival stories that may not be well known to the public:
嫦娥并非自愿奔月
很多人认为嫦娥为了长生不老而自愿飞到月亮上，但传说中她是被迫吞下仙药的，原因是她不想让后羿的徒弟偷走它。
Chang’e Did Not Go to the Moon Willingly
Many believe Chang’e chose to fly to the moon for immortality, but in some versions, she was forced to take the elixir to prevent Hou Yi’s apprentice from stealing it.
吴刚伐桂
吴刚因冒犯了神灵，被罚永远砍伐月宫中的桂树。每次砍下的桂树瞬间愈合，他因此永远无法完成任务。
Wu Gang Chops the Laurel Tree
Wu Gang was punished by the gods to eternally chop down a laurel tree in the Moon Palace, but each time he cuts it, the tree instantly heals, trapping him in an endless task.
兔子救月亮
在某些地区的传说中，月亮本是被一只恶龙吞噬，后来由一只勇敢的兔子救了出来，因此兔子与月亮有了紧密联系。
The Rabbit Saved the Moon
In some regional myths, the moon was once swallowed by an evil dragon, and a brave rabbit saved it, cementing the connection between the rabbit and the moon.
满月祭祀风俗
在古代，满月被视为吉祥的象征。人们在中秋时不仅拜月，还祭祀土地神，以求来年的丰收和家宅平安。
Full Moon Worship Rituals
In ancient times, the full moon symbolized good fortune. People worshiped not only the moon but also the Earth God during the Mid-Autumn Festival, praying for a good harvest and domestic peace.
月亮代表团圆
虽然很多人认为中秋节是为了庆祝丰收，但实际上它的核心象征是团圆，尤其是在外工作的家庭成员趁机回家团聚。
The Moon Symbolizes Reunion
While many associate the Mid-Autumn Festival with harvest celebrations, its core symbol is family reunion, with family members returning home, especially those working far away.
神话中的“月亮婚礼”
一些民间故事中，传说月亮上曾经举行过婚礼，许多神仙和仙女参加，这也为中秋节增添了一些浪漫色彩。
Mythical "Moon Wedding"
In some folk tales, it is said that a wedding was once held on the moon, attended by gods and celestial maidens, adding a romantic layer to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
中秋节的阴阳平衡
中秋节与道教的阴阳学说紧密相关，满月代表阴阳合一的时刻，是天地能量最为平衡的时刻，适合祈福。
Yin-Yang Balance in the Mid-Autumn Festival
The festival is closely tied to Taoist beliefs of yin and yang. The full moon symbolizes the moment of perfect balance between the two forces, making it an ideal time to pray for blessings.
月兔不止在中国传说中存在
传说中的月兔并不只出现在中国神话中，许多亚洲文化，包括日本、韩国、甚至玛雅文明的传说中也提到月兔。
The Moon Rabbit Exists Beyond Chinese Mythology
The legendary Moon Rabbit is not unique to Chinese mythology. It appears in the folklore of other Asian cultures like Japan and Korea, and even in Mayan mythology.
