The Moon
The Moon (Latin: Luna) is Earth's only natural satellite. Although not the largest natural satellite in the Solar System, it is, among the satellites of major planets, the largest relative to the size of the object it orbits (its primary). It is the second-densest satellite among those whose densities are known.
from time immemorial, the Moon takes an important place in people's mind. There have been many special culture and legends about the Moon in every country.
Because, there have already been a lot of secience knowledge about the Moon at Google, so in this Web page, there is more information about Chinese culrure and legends about the Moon.
水调歌头·明月几时有
丙辰中秋，欢饮达旦，大醉，作此篇，兼怀子由。
Mid-autumn of the Bing Chen year, having been drinking happily over night, I'm drunk, so I write this poem for memorising my brother, Zi You.
明月几时有，把酒问青天。不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。我欲乘风归去，又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。起舞弄清影，何似在人间。
Bright moon, when did you appear? Lifting my wine, I question the dark night sky. Tonight in the palaces and halls of heaven what year is it, I wonder? I would like to ride the wind, make my home there. Only I hide in a jade room of a beautiful mansion. As I could not bear the cold of high altitudes. So I rise and dance and play in your pure beams, this human world — how can it compare with yours?
转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。
Circling red chambers, low in the curtained door, you shine on the sleepless. Surely you bear us no ill will —why then must you be so round at times when we humans are parted! People have their griefs and joys, their togetherness and separation. The moon has its dark and clear times, its waxings and wanings. Situations are never ideal since long ago. I only hope we two may have long long lives. So that we may share the moon's beauty even though we are a three hundred miles apart.
月下独酌
Drinking Alone to the Moon
花间一壶酒， 独酌无相亲
Among the flowers lying a pot of wine
I am drinking alone to no one
举杯邀明月， 对影成三人。
Raising a cup of liquor, to the moon I want to invite
With my lonely shadow, we make three tonight
月既不解饮， 影徒随我身；
Alas, the moon lacks the taste of wine
And my shadow, without drinking wine, only stayed with me in sigh
暂伴月将影， 行乐须及春。
But I am still enjoying their company for more a while
To my best I cherish and enjoy the rest of the spring in time
我歌月徘徊， 我舞影零乱；
Joyfully I am singing, as the moon lovingly lingers around.
Wildly I am dancing, as my shadows freely swings by side
醒时同交欢， 醉后各分散。
Sober, we are enjoying each other’s company
Drunk, we lose each other like no one ever beside.
永结无情游， 相期邈云汉。
Oh, my dear moon! I would like to be your bosom friend
One day we can together overlook the Milky River afar as we like.
枫桥夜泊
Mooring at Night by the Maple Bridge
月落乌啼霜满天，
The moon setting, crows cawing, frost overfilling the skies,
江枫渔火对愁眠
The maples riv’rside, lamps aboard, sad the fishermen’s eyes.
姑苏城外寒山寺，
The toll from the Cold Mountain Temple outside of Suchow
夜半钟声到客船。
Reaches my boat at midnight and floods my sleepless sorrow.
Ancient Chinese poems about the Moon
There are many traditional Chinese poems about the Moon. I will introduce some of them that have been traslated in English.