Blood Moon 2022: Lunar Eclipse Myths From Around The World

Khushboo Malhotra

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The ‘Beaver’ Blood Moon lunar eclipse turned the moon into a mystical copper-red hue last month, and it was a breathtaking sight for the sky gazers and astrophiles.

The world witnessed this rare celestial phenomenon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon aligned so that Earth’s shadow envelopeed its sole satellite. It was visible across North America and parts of Australia, Asia, New Zealand, Alaska and Hawaii, the Pacific, and South and Central America.

It was a thrilling and chilling celestial event because the next total lunar eclipse won’t happen for another three years, until 14 March 2025.

The lunar eclipse right now!!!!! pic.twitter.com/6NogUDymba

— Bray Falls (@astrofalls) November 8, 2022

The Significance of a Lunar Eclipse

Lunar eclipses have fascinated cultures all over the world as they hold great cultural and religious significance. They have influenced several myths and legends, many of which consider the event as an omen. Some cultures rigorously emphasise how one should behave during the lunar eclipse, from eating to sleeping and praying.

This does not come as a surprise, considering the consequential effects on us and our lives of anything that alters the regular rhythms of the sun, the moon and their trajectories. Here’s all you need to know about the blood moon as we explore some of these myths and beliefs.

What is a Blood Moon?

During a Blood Moon eclipse, the full moon moves into the shadow of Earth, cast by the sun, and gets darkened momentarily. Some sunlight still reaches the moon, refracted by Earth’s atmosphere. However, blue light from the Sun scatters away, and longer-wavelength red, orange, and yellow light pass through, turning our Moon red, illuminating it with an ashen to a dark red glow, the colour depending on atmospheric conditions. Called a “lunar tetrad” by astronomers, such a series of four consecutive total eclipses occurring at approximately six-month intervals is a fairly rare event.

Breaking the Myths & Superstitions

As a stargazer, the “Blood Moon” conjures images of a moon gleaming in crimson red colours. While it’s rare, it is not supernatural and nothing to make too much fuss about. Today, we celebrate such celestial occurrences with viewing activities, road excursions, and astronomy talks, but in the past, things were extremely different.

Lunar eclipses, however, piqued the interest of people since ancient times who made many interesting beliefs, myths, legends, and superstitions. Let’s analyse some of these and dispel their mystique!

Famous Folklores!

• The ancient Incas interpreted the blood moon as a jaguar attacking and devouring the moon. They believed the jaguar might then turn its attention to Earth, so the people would shout, shake their spears and make their dogs bark and howl, hoping to make enough noise to drive it away.
• The ancient Mesopotamian culture considered a lunar eclipse as a direct assault on the king. Given their ability to predict an eclipse with reasonable accuracy, they would put in place a proxy king for its duration, while the actual king would go into hiding and wait for the eclipse to pass.
• Some Hindu folktales interpret lunar eclipses as the result of the demon Rahu (one of the nine major astronomical bodies in Indian texts which is a shadow entity) drinking the elixir of immortality. The sun and the moon decapitate Rahu, but having consumed the elixir, Rahu’s head remains immortal. Seeking revenge, Rahu’s head chases the twin deities to devour them. If he catches them, we have an eclipse, and Rahu swallows the moon, which reappears out of his severed neck.
• The Native American Hupa and Luiseño tribes from California believed the moon got wounded or fell ill. After the eclipse, the moon would then need healing by the moon’s 20 wives and tribesmen, who would come in to protect him, collecting his blood and restoring him to health. The Luiseño, for example, would sing and chant healing songs towards the darkened moon.
• The legend of the Batammaliba people of Togo and Benin in Africa is more positive; they regard a lunar eclipse as a conflict between the sun and the moon, which the people must encourage to be resolved. It is thus time to put old feuds to rest, a practice that has persisted to this day.
• According to Vietnamese culture, an eclipse occurred when a frog or toad ate the sun. Interestingly, the Vietnamese word for eclipse is “Shih” which directly translates to “to eat.”
• Islamic cultures interpret eclipses with no superstitions as the sun and moon represent deep respect for Allah. During the event, people chant special prayers, including a Salat-al-khusuf (prayer on a lunar eclipse), asking both Allah’s forgiveness and reaffirming god’s greatness.
• Christianity has equated lunar eclipses with the wrath of God and often associates them with the crucifixion of Jesus. Notably, Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring, establishing that an eclipse can never fall on Easter Sunday, a potential mark of Judgement Day.

Myth Busters

• “Do not watch the lunar eclipse with the naked eye” = myth
  Contrary to popular belief, the blood moon does not harm the eyes. You don’t need any special equipment to observe a lunar eclipse, although binoculars or a telescope will enhance your viewing experience with a spectacular close-up.
• “Sleeping, bathing, and defecation should be prohibited” = myth
  According to myth, the activities of microbes increase during an eclipse, but this has no scientific basis. Don’t let the lunar eclipse keep you from getting a full night’s sleep, urinating, or taking a relaxing bubble bath. Hygiene always counts.
• “Avoid sexual intercourse” = myth
  While Indian/Vedic astrology advises against a hot quickie during the lunar eclipse, western astrology shares a different view, as it claims that the influx of energy can intensify sexual pleasure. Although both may have differing perspectives, they agree that eclipses offer fresh beginnings and time to let go of things that no longer serve you. If you’re having an off night in bed, it has nothing to do with the moon.
• “Avoid worshipping or doing any auspicious activity” = myth
  Hindu beliefs forbid worship or “touching” deities and entering the temples during the eclipse, and also advise against initiating and indulging in any auspicious activity. Unless you are busy watching the celestial event, there is no evidence of any evil force at play to ruin your work during an eclipse.
• “Pregnant women are susceptible to evil forces” = myth
  Even today, some cultures advise pregnant women not to step out as it can harm the foetus with congenital abnormalities, injuries, or cause birthmarks. Pregnancy has always been one of the most delicate matters and expecting moms have to take a series of precautions. However, it’s scientifically proven that eclipses don’t affect the foetuses in any way.
• “Wounds heal slowly during a lunar eclipse” = myth 
  So far, no medical science has established a connection between the body’s ability to heal and the moon.
• “You should fast during a lunar eclipse” = myth
  Another dominant myth is that the eclipse poisons leftovers or food prepared during the event. There is no scientific basis for this argument. To sum up, your pickles and leftover meals are safe to consume anytime you wish without interruption from the moon.

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Featured image courtesy of Yu Kato on Unsplash. Image license can be found here. No changes were made to this image.