Have you ever wondered how our ancestors perceived the awe-inspiring phenomenon of a solar eclipse? In this fascinating journey through history, uncover the beliefs, superstitions, and rituals that shaped ancient cultures' responses to these celestial events. Join us as we explore the captivating stories and scientific advancements that have led us to our current understanding of solar eclipses.
The Dragon's Appetite: Ancient China's Eclipse Mythology
In ancient China, solar eclipses were believed to be caused by a celestial dragon devouring the sun. The Chinese word for eclipse, "shi," also means "to eat," reflecting this belief. To ward off the dragon and rescue the sun, people would bang drums and make loud noises, hoping to frighten the beast away.
Eclipses were also seen as omens foretelling the fate of emperors. In the 22nd century BCE, two court astronomers were reportedly beheaded for failing to predict an eclipse, highlighting the gravity of these events within royal circles.
The Gods' Wrath: Ancient Greece's Eclipse Superstitions
Despite their remarkable ability to predict eclipses, ancient Greeks still feared these events as signs of divine anger[18]. Rulers and monarchs would hide during eclipses, sometimes placing commoners on the throne to deceive the gods into punishing the wrong person.
Alexander the Great allegedly employed this strategy during a series of partial eclipses in 323 BCE, though his death that same year suggests the gods were not fooled.
Bloodletting and Sacrifice: Mayan and Aztec Eclipse Rituals
The ancient Maya, known for their advanced astronomical knowledge, interpreted solar eclipses as the sun being "broken". Rulers engaged in bloodletting rituals to restore the sun's health and resolve the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Aztecs believed the sun was being eaten during eclipses, causing widespread panic. Spanish missionary Fray Bernardino de Sahagún described the hysteria during a total eclipse in 1596 CE, with people sacrificing those with light skin or fair hair to prevent demons from descending and devouring everyone.
The Bard's Ominous Portent: Shakespeare and Eclipses
In 1598, William Shakespeare likely witnessed a total solar eclipse in England. Years later, he wrote in his play King Lear, "these late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us," suggesting that even the great playwright was unnerved by the sun's brief disappearance.
Conclusion
Throughout history, solar eclipses have captivated and terrified ancient cultures, inspiring mythologies, superstitions, and rituals that sought to explain and mitigate these awe-inspiring events. From the celestial dragons of ancient China to the broken sun of the Maya, these diverse beliefs demonstrate the profound impact of eclipses on the human psyche. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the universe, we can appreciate the scientific advancements that have brought us to our current understanding of these celestial marvels, while still marveling at the enduring fascination they evoke.
References:
[1] https://news.azpm.org/p/newsc/2017/8/10/115173-eclipses-appear-in-shakespeare-works/
[2] https://blog.dominiontea.com/2017/08/18/chinese-solar-eclipse-mythology/
[3] https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/ominous-new-interpretation-of-aztec-sun-stone/
[4] https://www.academia.edu/33834879/Eclipses_in_Ancient_Mesoamerica
[5] https://www.fengshuiism.com/feng-shui-blog/solar-eclipse-chinese-cosmology
[6] https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/todays-ring-of-fire-eclipse-recalls-years-of-maya-astronomy/
[7] https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/eclipses-shakespeares-plays/
[8] https://www.theworldofchinese.com/2017/08/a-brief-history-of-the-solar-eclipse/
[9] https://theshakespeareblog.com/2015/03/these-late-eclipses-the-moon-a-midsummer-nights-dream-and-happiness/
[10] https://www.mreclipse.com/Special/quotes3.html
[11] https://americanliterature.com/author/george-f-chambers/short-story/eclipses-of-shakespeare-and-the-poets
[12] https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2017/08/this-is-how-people-reacted-to-eclipses-in-the-past-spoiler-they-went-c-r-a-z-y/
[13] https://www.academia.edu/33834819/Eclipse_Imagery_on_the_Aztec_Calendar_Stone
[14] https://whenisthenexteclipse.com/how-past-civilizations-and-tribes-viewed-eclipses/
[15] https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-history
[16] https://www.shakespeareflix.net/2015/09/seven-times-that-shakespeare-refers-to.html?m=1
[17] https://nextshark.com/5-asian-myths-solar-eclipses
[18] https://www.cnn.com/2017/07/25/us/history-solar-eclipse/index.html
[19] https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-ancient-civilizations-reacted-to-eclipses-180983894/
[20] https://earthstoriez.com/china-eclipse-history-mythology
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