There exist two distinct narratives that attempt to elucidate the origins of the custom of consuming mooncakes.
确实有两个不同的故事试图阐明吃月饼这一习俗的起源。
One ancient myth rooted in the Tang Dynasty narrates an event where the Earth was once orbited by ten suns. On a particular day, all ten suns appeared simultaneously, casting an intense heat that nearly incinerated the planet. It was due to the heroic efforts of a master archer named Hou Yi that the Earth was ultimately saved. He skillfully shot down nine of the suns, leaving only one to shine upon the Earth.
一个源自唐朝的古老神话讲述了一个事件：当时地球被十个太阳包围着。有一天，所有十个太阳同时出现，投下巨大的热量，几乎把地球烤焦了。最终是神箭手后羿的英勇努力使地球得以保全。他巧妙地射下了九个太阳，只留下一个照耀地球。
In recognition of his bravery, the Heavenly Queen Mother bestowed upon Hou Yi the Elixir of Immortality. However, she cautioned him to use it with wisdom and restraint. Unfortunately, Hou Yi disregarded her advice and, corrupted by the allure of fame and fortune, transformed into a tyrannical ruler.
为了表彰后羿的勇敢，王母娘娘赐予他长生不老药。然而，她告诫他必须明智且审慎地使用它。不幸的是，后羿忽视了她的建议，被名利的诱惑腐蚀，变成了一个暴君。
Chang-Er, his radiant wife, could no longer tolerate his misuse of power. She secretly obtained his Elixir and ascended to the moon to escape his vengeful wrath.
后羿光辉的妻子嫦娥再也无法忍受他滥用权力。她偷偷获得了他的长生不老药，飞到月亮上以逃避他的狂怒。
From that moment forth, the legend of the ethereal beauty in the moon, the Moon Fairy, came into being.
从那一刻起，关于月宫仙子嫦娥，这个月亮上的空灵之美的传说诞生了。
The second narrative pertains to the Yuan Dynasty, when an underground movement spearheaded by Zhu Yuan Zang sought to liberate the nation from Mongolian rule.
第二个故事涉及元朝，当时由朱元璋领导的地下运动试图解放国家，摆脱蒙古族的统治。
The mooncake was ingeniously designed to conceal a secret message. When the cake was carefully divided, the hidden message was revealed, triggering a rebellion that successfully overthrew the Mongolian regime.
月饼被巧妙地设计用来隐藏一条秘密信息。当月饼被仔细分开时，隐藏的信息就显露出来，从而引发了一场起义，成功推翻了蒙古政权。
This uprising transpired during the time of the full moon, which some believe provides an explanation for the tradition of consuming mooncakes during this particular time of the year.
这场起义发生在八月十五之时，因此中秋节吃月饼的习俗便在民间传开来。
想要学习更地道的英语，关注实战英语口语交流
微信订阅号：practiceEnglish （长按微信号复制关注）
每日分享英语心情美文，美剧美语思维学习，地道英语口语，英语歌训练语音语调，关注微信每日学地道英语。