MELAKA CRUISE DAY PASS

 

ENJOY YOUR MOONCAKE FESTIVAL

Today is the mid autumn festival or moon cake Festival. Jade rabbit has a place in this festival. 

The Jade Rabbit, 玉兔 – Yùtù

The Jade Rabbit is a character from Chinese folklore, who lives on the moon with Chang-e, and is always seen preparing the elixir of life for the immortals. He is a noble and benevolent creature to whom offerings are often made during Mid Autumn Festival.

How the Jade Rabbit got to the moon

One day, the Jade Emperor decided that he wanted some help preparing the elixir of life for the immortals. Fearing that humans would be too selfish and untrustworthy for such an important role, he thought an animal would be better suited to this responsibility. The Jade Emperor came down to Earth disguised as a beggar and went to search for a worthy animal in a forest. As a famished and frail man, he cried out for help and food, and eventually three animals came to see if they could help; the monkey, the fox, and the rabbit.

The animals were sympathetic to the old beggar’s plight and went into the forest to search for food. The monkey returned laden with fruits he had gathered from up in the trees. The fox returned with some fish he had caught in a nearby stream.

Despite searching throughout the forest, the rabbit could not find any food for the old man from the woodland floor. When he returned much later, and saw the beggar sat next to the fire eating the fruits and the fish, the rabbit felt sad that he had been unable to find him any food. Realising that he could sacrifice himself so that the man could eat, the rabbit threw himself into the fire in an ultimate act of selflessness.

But at that instant the beggar turned back into the Jade Emperor and stopped the rabbit from being burned. Having found the most noble of creatures to take on the role of creating the elixirs, the Jade Emperor carried him up to the moon, where he learned to make divine medicines and he could be kept safe from humans wishing to steal the elixir of life.

The rabbit worked hard and learned to create the divine medicines, eventually mastering the skills required to pound the right ingredients together to create the elixir of life. The Jade Emperor was so delighted with the rabbit that he made the his fur a dazzling white. The heavenly glow from the rabbit’s smooth, soft fur was so bright and beautiful, that it looked like precious jade, which is why the other heavenly beings came to call him the Jade Rabbit.

If you look up at the full moon and squint slightly at the markings, you can still see the Jade Rabbit with his pestle and mortar, making the elixir of life for the immortals.

 

The Moon Rabbit in other cultures

The Jade Rabbit appears in many other cultures across the world.

• In Korea and Japan the Moon Rabbit does not make divine medicines, but rather pounds mochi rice cakes in his mortar. Here, he has a similar origination story as in Chinese culture, all seeming to stem from the Jataka Tales of India.
• In Vietnam, the Moon Rabbit is called Thỏ Trắng who was taken to the moon by a fairy.
• Native Americans and the Aztecs are also known to have stories about a rabbit on the moon.

Did you know?

A recent unmanned Chinese lunar rover was named 玉兔 – Yùtù, after the Jade Rabbit following an online poll. It formed part of the Chinese Chang-E 3 mission to the Moon, and makes an apt name, as the Jade Rabbit is Chang-E’s companion on the moon in Chinese folklore.

LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITED MELAKA IN 1972

The late Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom who passed away recently, had visited Melaka in 1972- 50 years ago. 

WOOING HIGH SPENDING INDIAN TOURISTS TO MELAKA

 MELAKA: Melaka aims to attract high-spending tourists from Tamil Nadu and Kerala to visit the historic state via air routes.

State Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis said talks were ongoing with airlines for directs flights from Southern India to the Melaka International Airport (LTAM).

We are also discussing with the Indian Tourism Ministry to bring in the high spenders from both the states.

“The tourists from Southern India have purchasing power and Melaka can benefit from their arrivals,” he said after launching a wedding festival at a shopping complex here on Tuesday (Sept 6).

Muhammad Jailani said Malaysia has a consulate-general in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and there is a tourism attaché based there.

“Hence, we can tap the Southern India tourism market,” he said.

He added that the arrival of tourists from Southern India could complement the state's target of achieving 6.5 million tourists by the end of this year.

PROPOSE NEW ROUTE FROM MELAKA TO DUMAI, SUMATRA

MELAKA (Sept 8): A new route to link Malaysia and Indonesia, via Telok Gong in Masjid Tanah here and Dumai in Sumatra, involving a distance of about 120km will be developed with the cooperation of the private sector.

Melaka Investment, Industry, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the proposed development, which would involve the construction of a tunnel or bridge, would take 20 years and, when completed, would have a major impact on the economic development of both countries.

 "The proposal for the project has been submitted by the private sector, and both countries have in principle agreed to a detailed study of the matter.

On the part of the state government, we brought all government agencies to visit the area, where the proposed new route will be built, on Wednesday (Sept 7)," he told reporters after an interview on the Apa Khabar YB programme with Melakafm here on Thursday.

Ab Rauf said the project, to be built using the concept of "One Belt One Road", would be a new icon for both Malaysia and Indonesia.

The project would also involve the construction of various infrastructure, including traffic dispersal areas and the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex, he added.

Apart from that, he said, a new industrial area housing various industrial activities will be developed in stages in Masjid Tanah in an area covering about 2,023 hectares.

Development of the area will be carried out by Melaka Corp, and is expected to also contribute to the opening of a new town in Masjid Tanah, he added.

CLOCK TOWER REPAINTING

Our Red Clock tower repainting at Stadthuys is finally coming to an end. The notice mentioned by October 2022.

This photo was taken today. It will look great again once the scaffolding are removed. 

MORTEN WALK BY UDA

Located at the heart of Melaka, Morten Walk is a chic shopping area that sits on a 4.024-acre land, along the river front in Kampung Morten. 

The colourful design creates a vibrant feel for the locals and tourists to generate an interactive retail space where customers can fully explore the wondrous creative cottage industry. 

In line with MEDAC's aim in empowering entrepreneurs’ involvement in retail and industrial trade in urban area, Morten Walk is truly the pride of Melaka City - an esteemed project by UDA.

Fun Facts about Morten Walk:

🔵 Location: Kampung Morten, Melaka which the Cultural & Heritage Guided Walk is supported by UNESCO.

🟣 Concept: Trending colorful cabin concept with a vibrant view.

🔵 Facilities: Managed to accommodate engaging activities that are appealing to families and lifestyle communities.

🟣 Attraction: Riverfront open dining area.

Find out more at www.udamalls.com.my/malls/morten-walk/