Lunar Eclipse 2021: Lunar Eclipse Myths Around The World

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According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), 'the partial phase of the eclipse will begin at 12.48 pm and will end at 4.17 pm (on November 19). The eclipse will be visible in the regions covering western Africa, western Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

An eclipse is a celebrated event in modern times. People across the globe are excited to watch the eclipse and they actually hold eclipse viewing parties and road trips to celebrate the eclipse. However, the scenario wasn't the same in ancient times.

Eclipse has always been associated with something evil across all cultures of the world. Whether it is the solar eclipse or lunar eclipse, the disappearance of the sun or the moon was considered very inauspicious in most cultures around the world.

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The disappearance of the moon was seen as a time of chaos and danger. A lunar eclipse was associated with demons, jaguars and other wretched creatures. The concept of the 'blood moon' or the red moon is found in many cultures where it was seen as a bad omen. It was also believed that people with mental disabilities turned completely lunatic during the lunar eclipse since they were assumed to be possessed by evil spirits.

Whatever the case be, lunar eclipse myths from around the world are certainly interesting. So, let us take a look at a few lunar eclipse myths around the world.

The Inca: The Lethal Attack

The people of the Inca civilisation of pre-Columbian America considered lunar eclipse as an abnormal event. According to the myths of Inca, a jaguar attacked and ate the moon on lunar eclipse. The people feared that after attacking the moon, the jaguar would come to Earth and attack human beings. So, to drive away the jaguar and prevent it from eating the moon, the people would make a lot of noise, beat drums and make their dogs howl.

Mesopotamian Beliefs: Attack On The King

According to the lunar eclipse myth of Mesopotamia, the moon was attacked by seven demons. The people of Mesopotamia considered this as an attack on their king. So, a surrogate king was crowned on the day of the lunar eclipse to bear the brunt of the demons, while the real king hid among the common people. Once the eclipse passed, the substitute king was either killed or he mysteriously disappeared.

Indian Lunar Eclipse Myths

According to the Indian version of lunar eclipse, a demon named Rahu eats up the moon during eclipse. People still view lunar eclipse as inauspicious and refrain from eating or cooking during the eclipse.

Chinese Myths About Lunar Eclipse

The ancient Chinese believed that on the day of the eclipse, the moon was bitten or consumed by dogs and other wild animals. So, people rang loud bells to drive away the animals from attacking the moon.

South African Myths: The Great Fight

According to the beliefs of people in Togo and Benin, the sun and the moon fight during the eclipse and the people encourage them to stop. The eclipse was seen as the time for resolving old fights and coming together.

Native American Beliefs: Bleeding Moon

According to the beliefs of the Hupa tribe, the moon had 20 wives and a lot of pets which included mountain lions and snakes. When the moon did not bring them enough food to eat, these pets would attack the moon and make him bleed. The eclipse would end when the wives of the moon would step in to protect him, collecting his blood and healing him. The bleeding of moon was attributed to the moon turning red during the eclipse.