The eclipses bears witness to humanity's long journey in understanding the universe. From the time when eclipses were shrouded in mystical tales and considered supernatural omens, to the modern era where they can be explained through science, eclipses have always evoked fear, awe, and curiosity for humans throughout the ages.
Eclipses never fail to captivate human attention, so it's no surprise that across the globe, this phenomenon has given rise to a variety of myths, beliefs, and celestial tales that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Myths about eclipses demonstrate how ancient humans sought to understand nature through their imagination and beliefs.
The Angry Gods in Ancient Greek Belief
The ancient Greeks viewed eclipses as a sign of the gods' wrath against humanity. They believed that during an eclipse, the Sun was departing from Earth, bringing suffering and disaster to human life. In fact, the term eclipse itself comes from the Greek word meaning abandonment.
Jaguar Attacks the Moon
As reported by National Geographic, researcher David Dearborn from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory explained that the Incas had their own beliefs regarding lunar eclipses. They believed that eclipses occurred because the Moon was being attacked and devoured by a jaguar. The reddish color that appears during a total lunar eclipse was believed to be the result of the jaguar's attack. This belief also caused fear among the Inca people. They feared that after devouring the Moon, the jaguar would descend and attack Earth. To ward it off, the Incas employed various methods, such as pointing spears at the Moon and creating loud noises. They even beat dogs to make them howl and bark in the hope that the noise would scare the jaguar away.
Dangerous for Pregnant Women
This myth is widespread in several regions of India. It is said that lunar and solar eclipses can threaten the safety of pregnant women. Eclipses are considered moments when "evil spirits" or negative energies appear and can attack the baby. Therefore, many parents forbid their pregnant children from leaving the house during an eclipse. Some indigenous people still believe this myth. There are several myths for pregnant women during an eclipse: Pinning a safety pin or scissors: Believed to ward off evil and prevent the fetus from being disturbed.
Symbol of the Sun and Moon Conflict
It originates from the legend of the Batammaliba people of Togo and Benin, Africa. They view a lunar eclipse as a conflict between the sun and the moon. This conflict is believed to require human reconciliation. Therefore, the eclipse is seen as an opportune time to end disputes and mend relationships—a tradition still maintained today. When an eclipse occurs, the Batammaliba people gather as a community and attempt to resolve their own disputes as a way to encourage the sun and moon to do the same.
There's a Devil Attacking
A myth originating from Indonesia states that in Hindu tradition, a lunar eclipse is associated with the demon Rahu, who successfully drank an elixir of immortality. Upon learning of this, the sun and moon immediately beheaded him. However, having already drunk the elixir, Rahu's head remained alive and immortal. Driven by revenge, he continued to hunt the sun and moon to swallow them. When he succeeded in capturing the moon, an eclipse occurred; the moon was seemingly swallowed, then reappeared from Rahu's severed neck. Another story circulated that a lunar eclipse occurred due to a dispute between Kala Rau, a giant, and Dewi Ratih, the moon goddess. The dispute would end with Kala Rau attempting to swallow Dewi Ratih, but was thwarted by the Balinese who disturbed Kala Rau by pounding a mortar on him. A similar story also spread in Java, with the difference that the figure believed by the Javanese to have swallowed the moon was Batara Kala, the god of time and death.
Rituals of the People of the Australian Continent
In Australia and Oceania, some indigenous communities also have unique interpretations of the lunar eclipse phenomenon. For example, the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land interpret a lunar eclipse as a symbol of the meeting of the moon (male) and the sun (female). Unlike the Yolngu, the Arrernte people view eclipses as a bad omen—they believe the moon is being attacked by evil spirits or supernatural beings. When an eclipse occurs, people avoid activities that require leaving the house, lighting fires, and speaking loudly. Some Noongar groups in Western Australia also believe that eclipses occur when evil spirits try to disrupt the moon's journey. To ward them off, they burn native plants like eucalyptus leaves and recite ancestral songs or prayers as a ritual of exorcism and protection.
Conclusion
The diverse stories about lunar eclipses from around the world demonstrate how humans interpret natural phenomena in different ways. While each culture presents its own unique stories and symbols, all of these stories illustrate how lunar eclipses have been interpreted through myths, spiritual beliefs, and even moral stories passed down through generations. As astronomical science and technology have advanced, these stories have become part of a cultural heritage that captures ancient societies' perspectives on the universe.
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