Richard Wilhelm

The morning and the evening star

Summary

The story tells the tale of two celestial brothers, Tschen and Shen, who are sons of the Golden King of the Heavens. The brothers become embroiled in a conflict that leads Tschen to strike Shen with a powerful blow. As a result of their quarrel, they make a vow never to see each other again, leading to Tschen appearing only in the evening and Shen appearing only in the morning. Their separation serves as a metaphorical lesson, symbolizing the consequences of discord between siblings. The story uses the astral imagery to impart a moral teaching, stating that when brothers cannot coexist peacefully, they become as distant and disconnected as Tschen and Shen.

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Once upon a time there were two stars, sons of the Golden King of the Heavens. The one was named Tschen and the other Shen. One day they quarreled, and Tschen struck Shen a terrible blow.

Thereupon both stars made a vow that they would never again look upon each other. So Tschen only appears in the evening, and Shen only appears in the morning, and not until Tschen has disappeared is Shen again to be seen.

And that is why people say: “When two brothers do not live peaceably with one another they are like Tschen and Shen.

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