Why did the ancients know that there was a "moon rabbit" on the moon?

The moon is the closest celestial body to us, and for thousands of years, countless people have looked up to the sky and placed their rich imagination and endless romance on this natural canvas. The moon is a beautiful symbol of brightness and clarity in the hearts of mankind, and the Mid-Autumn Festival of Moon Appreciation has become the most important festival of reunion in traditional culture.

What's on the Moon? Today we know the Moon as nothing more than a barren star filled with rocks and craters. However, in the eyes of the ancients, the moon was home to the beautiful Chang'e and the Jade Rabbit who pounded medicine. Why did they believe in this legend? What is the scientific reasoning behind it

The story of Chang'e and the Jade Rabbit has been passed down so far that it was talked about at the Space Center and by astronauts in 1969, just before Apollo 11 was about to carry out its first-ever mission to the moon.

Here's what the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center said at the time: "There's been a lot of attention paid to this morning's Apollo mission to the moon, and one of the viewers has asked that you [referring to the astronauts] keep a close eye on the moon for a cute girl, and a giant rabbit. In an old legend, the moon is inhabited by a Chinese beauty named Chang'e who was banished to the moon for stealing her husband's elixir of immortality, and who was always followed by a giant rabbit."

Baz Aldrin, the same astronaut who set foot on the moon behind Armstrong, replied, "Okay, we'll keep an eye out for the bunny girl."

Of course, Armstrong and Aldrin didn't find Chang'e and the moon rabbit on the moon, but the old legend remains fascinating. Why has this legend survived for thousands of years? The answer is simple: countless people have, literally, seen the giant moon rabbit on the moon.

The Chinese saw a rabbit pounding medicine on the moon, while the Japanese and Koreans saw a rabbit pounding spuds on the moon. It's not a metaphorical rhetorical device, they actually see it. Maybe you can try it too - use your imagination, and maybe you'll be able to see this rabbit pounding something too

The ancients, through their powerful imaginations, gave the moon the beautiful story of Chang'e and the moon rabbit, and made the story complete, so it's no wonder that the story of Chang'e and the moon rabbit has been passed down for thousands of years.