Taiyin Xingjun

Taiyin Xingjun (Chinese: 太阴星君) is the Chinese goddess of the moon. While often intertwined with the legend of Chang'e, Taiyin Xingjun is the original guardian of the moon. Chinese folk religion also uses Chang'e as the incarnation of Taiyin Xingjun. Taiyin Xingjun is believed to be the Taoist counterpart of the Buddhist bodhisattva Candraprabha, also known as the Moonlight Bodhisattva.

The emergence of Taiyin Xingjun can be traced back to ancient Chinese lunar worship practices. Referred to by various names such as the Moonlight Goddess, Taiyin Xingjun, Moon Maiden, and Moonlight Bodhisattva, her worship has deep historical roots in China.

According to legend, the origins of Taiyin Xingjun in Taoism are linked to the "Four Symbols" (Si Xiang) concept derived from Taiji yin-yang philosophy. In this concept, "Taiyin" (Supreme Yin) is also known as "Lao Yin" (Old Yin). Other mythological tales suggest that Taiyang Xingjun [zh] (the Sun Star Lord) and Taiyin Xingjun were formed from the two eyes of the ancient god Pangu, with the right eye transforming into Taiyin Xingjun.

During the Qing dynasty, the customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival changed. What began as Taoist worship of Chang'e evolved to include both Buddhist and Taoist traditions, featuring the Moonlight Bodhisattva and the Jade Rabbit. The depictions of the Moon God were mostly inscribed by Taoist temples, titled Yuefu Suyao Taiyin Xingjun (月府素曜太阴星君; 'the moon palace of Taiyin Xingjun').

The earliest recorded worship of the moon in ancient times can be found in the Book of Documents: Canon of Yao, which states: "The sun, moon, and stars are celestial deities, and Mount Tai, the Yellow River, and the sea are terrestrial deities. The celestial and terrestrial deities together form the six gods". This indicates that the moon had long been worshipped as a god by the people before this period. In fact, when the ancients sacrificed to the moon, they often did so in conjunction with the sun. They would worship the sun in the east and the moon in the west, distinguishing between the internal and external and establishing their respective positions. This phenomenon sufficiently demonstrates the ancient practice of "worshipping the sun as the main deity and the moon as a supplementary deity."

In Qing dynasty Taoist Wugou's The Legend of the Eight Immortals, he annotated the origin of Taiyin Xingjun, stating,

"To know the purest essence in the world, it is none other than the moon. The realm within the moon, compared to the legendary Penglai of the seas or the immortal mountains, is particularly serene. No matter how beautiful Chang'e is or how elegant and refined she appears, the truth remains that her physical form is merely mundane, and she is already married, once the consort of a tyrannical Houyi. With such a history, her presence in the Moon Palace could hardly be considered pure. Even though you may not have achieved enlightenment, you surely know that Taiyin Xingjun is the ruler of the Moon Palace. She is the third princess of the Jade Emperor, residing by his side. Who can compare to her nobility? Yet her nature is quite different from others. She is often seen wandering alone in the heavenly palace, indifferent to the elegant company around her, as if she were dwelling among the mundane. She spends her days in quiet contemplation, away from worldly affairs. After much consideration, the Jade Emperor could find no one worthy of her presence, so he appointed her as the ruler of the Moon Palace and bestowed upon her a residence there. Only then could the princess find solace in her solitude. Her lofty and refined demeanor is truly remarkable, far surpassing even Chang'e in elegance. Without the princess, the heavens would lack refinement, and they would be unfit for habitation. The Jade Emperor had no choice but to grant her the title of Taiyin Xingjun and bestow upon her the Moon Palace as her residence. Her austere elegance and her profound nature—who can compare? Chang'e may be graceful, but she is incomparable to the purity and tranquility that surround Taiyin Xingjun. If we were to judge their characters, they are indeed different from ordinary people, possessing a sense of refinement and detachment. Furthermore, Taiyin Xingjun has always had a deep affinity for the moon, often longing to reside in the Moon Palace, her lifelong aspiration unfulfilled until now. In this regard, she shares a common bond with the moon and a kindred spirit with Taiyin Xingjun."

In Taiwanese folk beliefs, people believe that the deity who governs the moon is Taiyin Xingjun. Taiyin Xingjun originated from natural worship in animistic beliefs and originally did not have an image. For example, in the Tiantan Temple, known as the first temple in Taiwan, there is only a wooden plaque inscribed with the words "Taiyin Xingjun." However, with the spread of the myth of Chang'e flying to the moon, the connection between the pure white moon and Chang'e's beautiful and gentle image was formed, leading many to believe that Taiyin Xingjun is the incarnation of Chang'e. Most of the images of Taiyin Xingjun that we see today depict a woman dressed in palace attire, holding the moon high in her hand; she is also known as Taiyin Niangniang.