For ancient people, a lunar eclipse would have been a mystical, awe-inspiring event.
The Moon, a constant companion in the night sky, suddenly begins to fade and darken, only to return after some time with a blood-red hue. It would have felt like the cosmic order was being disturbed, and this would have invoked fear, wonder, and curiosity. The sense of connection to these events was powerful, as people around the world saw the same celestial event and interpreted it through the lens of their beliefs, myths, and experiences.
Connection Across Time and Space
It’s beautiful to imagine how people across different cultures saw the same lunar eclipse. Their shared human experience of gazing up at the Moon and witnessing such an incredible event, albeit through different mythological and spiritual interpretations, connects us all—no matter where we live or when we live. For me, it’s deeply powerful to think about how ancient people experienced these celestial events, and how we continue to do so today, in a modern context, with science and wonder.
Let’s explore what the beliefs about lunar eclipses are from various cultures…
Lunar Eclipses and Their Role in Global Unity
When we think of a lunar eclipse, it’s remarkable to imagine people from all corners of the world—from the vast deserts of Africa to the dense jungles of the Maya—gathering under the same sky, sharing in the awe and mystery of a darkened Moon. Even though they interpreted the event in vastly different ways, the lunar eclipse united people in their wonder and fear.
The red hue of the Moon during a total eclipse, which has been so impactful throughout history, continues to stir emotions in modern times as it did in the past. The Moon’s transformation—darkening, then turning blood-red—was not just a natural event; it was an opportunity to connect with the divine, appease spirits, and mark important moments in both personal and societal cycles.
Native American Beliefs
Lunar Eclipse as a Time of Transformation
Some Native American tribes believed that lunar eclipses were a time of spiritual renewal and transformation. It was thought that the Moon was undergoing a symbolic cleansing, making it a time for reflection, purification, and introspection.
The Moon as a Symbol of Life and Death
A few tribes believed that the eclipse marked a battle between the Moon and the Sun, representing a cosmic struggle between light and darkness. The Moon’s darkening was seen as a sign that the balance of life was shifting.
Ancient Greek and Roman Beliefs
Omen of Doom
In ancient Greece and Rome, lunar eclipses were often considered bad omens, signifying disaster or conflict. The Greek historian Herodotus recorded that an eclipse in 585 BCE was considered a turning point in the Lydian-Median war when both armies stopped fighting, thinking it was a sign from the gods.
Lunar Eclipse as a Harbinger of Change
The eclipse was believed to indicate great change or upheaval, possibly in the form of political shifts or natural disasters. The red color of the Moon, particularly during a total lunar eclipse, symbolized violence, bloodshed, and war in many ancient cultures.
Ancient Chinese Beliefs
Dragon Myth
In Chinese culture, lunar eclipses were often explained by a dragon devouring the Moon. According to legend, the dragon would slowly swallow the Moon, causing it to disappear, and then it would spit it back out, restoring it to its full glory. People would make loud noises, like banging pots and pans, to scare the dragon away and save the Moon.
Eclipses as a Cosmic Balance
Eclipses were seen as a time of cosmic balance. The Chinese considered the Moon’s disappearance to be a sign of disorder, and people would conduct rituals to restore harmony.
Hindu Beliefs
The Demon Rahu
In Hindu mythology, lunar eclipses were caused by the demon Rahu, who tried to swallow the Moon. The tale comes from the myth of the churning of the ocean, where Rahu drank a drop of immortal nectar, and as punishment, was beheaded. However, his head continued to pursue vengeance by swallowing the Sun and the Moon during eclipses. The eclipse would be a sign that Rahu was causing chaos in the heavens.
Time for Spiritual Cleansing
Hindus often believed that an eclipse was a time when spiritual forces were heightened, and it was an auspicious time for prayer, meditation, and ritual purification.
Norse Mythology
Fates of the Moon and Sun
In Norse mythology, the lunar eclipse was seen as a battle between wolves. The wolf Sköll chased the Sun, while Hati chased the Moon. When the wolves finally caught their prey, an eclipse occurred, and it was believed to signify that the end of the world (Ragnarök) was near.
An Omen of Disaster
Like many other cultures, the Norse also believed that eclipses were bad omens, heralding doom or significant changes.
Mayan Beliefs
The Moon as a Divine Body
The Mayans viewed the Moon as an important celestial body, often associated with the gods. They were highly skilled in astronomy and closely observed lunar eclipses, seeing them as a powerful symbol of cosmic balance.
Eclipse as a Time for Ritual
The Mayans often used lunar eclipses for rituals and ceremonies. They believed that an eclipse could influence the agricultural cycle, with some seeing it as a time to offer sacrifices or engage in divination. It was seen as a powerful time for transformation, and their astrological knowledge allowed them to predict these events with astonishing accuracy.
Mesopotamian Beliefs
A Warning from the Gods
In ancient Mesopotamia, lunar eclipses were seen as a divine warning. It was believed that the gods were sending a message through the eclipse, often associated with disasters or punishments for human wrongdoing. The ancient Babylonians used their sophisticated understanding of the heavens to predict eclipses, and their sky-gazers (astrologers) would interpret these events as signals from the gods.
Western European (Medieval) Beliefs
Superstition and Fear
In medieval Europe, lunar eclipses were often associated with dark magic and witchcraft. People believed that eclipses had the power to affect human behavior, and there were fears that the eclipse could bring about illness, bad luck, or even death.
The Moon’s Blood
Similar to other cultures, the blood-red color of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse was interpreted as a sign of war or violence. Some even believed that the red color was the blood of the Moon itself.
Ancient Egyptian Beliefs
Cosmic Rebirth
In ancient Egypt, lunar eclipses were seen as part of the great cosmic cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The Moon was associated with the goddess Khonsu, who represented youth and healing. The eclipse was believed to be a time when the Moon was being reborn or renewed. It was a time for Egyptians to engage in cleansing rituals to prepare for the upcoming cycles of life.
The Moon and the Underworld
Some Egyptians believed that during a lunar eclipse, the Moon temporarily descended into the underworld, or Duat, the realm of the dead. The Moon’s return from the underworld symbolized a reawakening, bringing wisdom and knowledge back to the living.
Aboriginal Australian Beliefs
Moon as a Spirit
In Aboriginal Australian culture, the Moon is often seen as a spiritual being whose movements influence the natural world. Some groups, particularly in the central and northern deserts, believed that lunar eclipses were caused by two lunar ancestors (sometimes depicted as the Moon spirit and a giant dog). When the eclipse occurred, it was said to signify that the ancestors were involved in a cosmic struggle, and the people would often stay inside or perform rituals to calm the spirits and ensure the balance was restored.
A Time for Storytelling
Lunar eclipses were considered a perfect time for storytelling and myth-making. The eclipse symbolized a period of liminality, a threshold between the known and unknown, and this was when the sacred stories of the Dreamtime would be recounted. The Moon’s disappearing act invited reflection on the past and the future, linking the present to ancient wisdom.
African Beliefs
Eclipse as a Reflection of Balance
In many African cultures, lunar eclipses are seen as a time of restoration of balance in the universe. The Yoruba people of West Africa, for example, believed that the lunar eclipse was the result of the Moon being devoured by a mythical serpent or a great beast. They thought that the Earth, Sun, and Moon had to come into perfect alignment to restore harmony and peace among the living.
Celebration of Ancestors
Among other tribes, lunar eclipses were considered a time to honor the ancestors. Some African cultures believed that the Moon was a vessel for ancestral spirits, and during the eclipse, the spirits were thought to return to the sky. Rituals and dances were performed to welcome and appease these spirits, ensuring they would bless the people with prosperity and protection.
Ancient Mayan Beliefs
The Maya and Their Advanced Astronomy
The ancient Maya civilization had an extraordinary understanding of the Moon’s cycles. They predicted eclipses with such accuracy that they considered them to be important astrological events that were tied to both human destiny and the cycles of nature.
Eclipses as Divine Communication
The Maya saw lunar eclipses as messages from the gods. They believed that the Moon’s darkening was a sign that the gods were angry or trying to communicate with the people. During eclipses, the Maya would conduct ceremonial rituals involving offerings, chants, and dances to appease the gods and avoid misfortune.
The Moon and the Underworld
Similar to other Mesoamerican cultures, the Maya also linked lunar eclipses to a journey into the underworld. The Moon’s descent into darkness was symbolic of a passage through the realm of death, after which the Moon would rise again, renewed and powerful.
Japanese Beliefs
Eclipse as a Time to Ward Off Evil
In ancient Japan, lunar eclipses were seen as portents of disaster or misfortune. The Japanese had a custom of making loud noises, such as shouting or banging drums, to ward off evil spirits during an eclipse. These rituals were believed to protect people from the harmful influence of the eclipse.
The Moon’s Divine Energy
The Moon was revered in Japan, particularly through the worship of Tsukuyomi, the Moon god in Shinto. A lunar eclipse was thought to reflect disruption in the divine order, and the people believed that the eclipse caused a temporary blockage of the Moon’s divine light, disrupting the flow of spiritual energy. Offering prayers to Tsukuyomi or performing purification rituals helped restore harmony.
South American Cultures (Inca and Aztec)
The Aztec “Blood Moon” Myth
For the Aztecs, lunar eclipses were considered a battle between the Moon and a jaguar. The jaguar was associated with nighttime and death, and the eclipse was seen as a cosmic struggle between light and darkness, life and death. The red hue of the Moon during a total eclipse was believed to be the jaguar’s blood as it consumed the Moon, marking a time of chaos and danger.
The Inca’s Cosmic Symphony
The Inca had a deep understanding of celestial events and believed lunar eclipses were significant for maintaining cosmic balance. During an eclipse, the Inca people would gather in large groups to perform rituals designed to bring fertility to the land and ensure good harvests. In this view, the eclipse was a moment when cosmic energies had to be recalibrated.
Exploring the stories, beliefs, and myths surrounding lunar eclipses gives us a unique insight into the human experience across time and cultures.
These myths and legends continue to inspire awe, reminding us that the beauty of the universe and the mysteries of the cosmos transcend borders, eras, and civilizations. The next lunar eclipse is not just an astronomical event—it’s a shared experience that connects us to those who lived long before us and to those who will come after.
