Stone on the moon named "Shigandang"

(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2021-08-19

 
A stone near the landing area of the Chang'e-4 probe is named "Shigandang". The stone is marked by a red frame. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The International Astronomical Union recently named a stone on the moon as "Shigandang". The stone is situated near the lunar site where the lander of the Chang'e-4 probe landed last year.

Shigandang, also known as Taishan Shigandang, is a small stone tablet built outside the courtyard or at the entrance of the street in ancient China. People used to believe that the stone could bring good health and ward off evil spirits.

Shigandang custom of worshiping spiritual stones was listed among the first batch of national intangible cultural heritages in China.

This custom is widely influential in China, as well as in other countries and regions such as Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea.