HOUYI Meaning and
Definition
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Houyi is a legendary figure in Chinese mythology who is often portrayed as a skilled archer and hero. In Chinese culture, he is renowned for his remarkable strength, bravery, and cunning. The name "Houyi" is derived from the combination of "Hou" meaning "lord" or "marquis" and "Yi" which signifies "change" or "different."
According to mythological tales, Houyi was married to Chang'e, the moon goddess. One of the most famous legends associated with him involves the ten suns. It is said that ten suns resided in the sky, causing disastrous droughts and scorching the earth. As a compassionate hero, Houyi decided to intervene and shot down nine of the suns using his extraordinary archery skills, thereby saving humanity from destruction and bringing balance back to the world.
Additionally, Houyi is also recognized for his involvement in the story of the elixir of immortality. When Houyi acquired the elixir, he chose not to consume it but rather entrusted it to Chang'e. However, when a greedy apprentice attempted to steal the elixir, Chang'e consumed it herself and became the moon goddess, forever residing on the moon, separated from her husband.
Throughout Chinese history and culture, the name "Houyi" has become synonymous with archery prowess, heroism, bravery, and sacrifice. Houyi remains an important symbol of virtue and righteousness, inspiring individuals to possess similar qualities of valor and selflessness.
Etymology of HOUYI
The word "Houyi" is derived from Chinese mythology and is associated with the folk hero Houyi, who was known for his extraordinary archery skills. The Chinese characters for "Houyi" are 后羿, where 后 (Hou) means "after" or "later" and 羿 (Yi) is the phonetic representation of the hero's name. Houyi is primarily known for shooting down nine of the ten suns in the sky in order to save humanity from drought and heat. The name Houyi has been popularized in various forms of Chinese literature, art, and culture, and is often associated with bravery, skill, and heroism.
