A solar eclipse is a result of what we see when the moon passes in between the sun and the earth while rotating around the earth, which prevents any light rays from the sun to reach us, resulting in ‘eclipsing’ around the sun, there are four types of solar eclipses.
Partial solar eclipse, in which the moon blocks the sun partially, result being some of the sun is visible while the other is not; annular solar eclipse, the moon blocks out the sun in a way that only the periphery sun remains visible which forms a ring that’s visible popularly known as "ring of fire"; total solar eclipse, the moon totally blocks out the sun for a few minutes leading to the visibility of the sun’s ‘corona’ which is not so noticeable at sun’s full glory, with this a diamond ring effect or the ‘Bailey’s beads’ also occur; hybrid solar eclipse, the hybrid eclipse is the rarest eclipse, it shifts between a total and annular solar eclipse, this results in some places on earth having a total eclipse and other places with an annular eclipse.
Solar eclipses have inspired curiosity, caused fear, and have been associated with superstitions, myths and legends throughout history. Even in today’s time, in some cultures, a solar eclipse is considered a bad omen. We are going to discuss some of these now.
Ancient Interpretations of Solar Eclipses
Ancient cultures were trying to understand why the Sun temporarily disappeared from the sky, and this led them to come up with various reasons for what actually caused a solar eclipse.
In a lot of cultures, they have legends surrounding solar eclipse saying that it involves mythical figures stealing or eating the Sun, there are other beliefs, that say it is a sign that the Gods are fighting.
Solar Eclipse and Asian Beliefs
In Vietnam, people thought that a solar eclipse was caused due to a giant frog devouring the Sun, on the other hand, the Norse cultures said wolves ate the Sun.
In ancient China, a celestial dragon was thought to have the Sun for lunch which caused a solar eclipse, Chinese in fact, named the solar eclipse “chih” or “shih” which meant ‘to eat.
In ancient Hindu mythology, the deity named Rahu is beheaded by the gods for capturing and drinking Amrita which is the gods' nectar. It is said that Rahu's head flies off into the sky and swallows the Sun causing an eclipse.
Korean folklore has another explanation for solar eclipses which suggests that the reason for solar eclipses happening is because some mythical dogs are trying to steal the Sun.
Traditionally, people from a lot of other cultures get together to bang pans and pots to make loud noises during a solar eclipse. The thought occurs from the belief that making noises scares demons away.
The Pomo were an indigenous group of people who lived in the northwestern United States, they had a story of a bear who started a fight with the Sun and took a big bite out of it. In fact, the name for a solar eclipse in Pomo is ‘Sun got bit by a bear’.
According to the story, after the bear took a bite out of the Sun and resolved their conflict, the bear went to the Moon and took a bite out of the Moon as well, which in turn caused a lunar eclipse. This story is in relation to explaining why solar eclipses happen usually two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse.
Angry Sun
The ancient Greeks believed that a solar eclipse was a sign that the gods are angry and soon disasters and destruction are going to follow angry gods and that it was the beginning of disasters and destruction.
A tribe from New Mexico in the United States of America named Tewa believed for a long time that a solar eclipse signalled that the Sun was angry and had left the sky to go his house in the underworld.
Modern-Day Sun Superstitions
Apprehension about solar eclipses still exists today. Many individuals all over the planet actually consider obscurations to be detestable signs that bring passing, obliteration, and catastrophes.
A famous misinterpretation is that solar eclipses can be a threat to pregnant ladies and their unborn kids. In many societies, small kids and pregnant ladies are approached to remain inside during any and all forms of solar eclipses.
In many pieces of India, individuals quick during a solar eclipse because of the conviction that any food prepared while an eclipse is happening will be toxic and unpure.
Not all notions encompassing eclipses are about destruction. In Italy, for instance, it is accepted that blossoms planted during an eclipse are more brilliant and more bright than blossoms established in some other season.
Written By: Sofia Choudhary
Edited By: Nidhi Jha
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