On the occasion of tonight’s phenomenon, we take a look at the stories and legends of the supermoon.
Tonight’s full moon is the closest the moon has been to earth in almost 69 years and will be this close again only in 2034. While developments in technology have equipped us with such information, in ancient times people had only their imaginations to rely on.
With the sun being a steady source of light, rising and setting day after day, it was the everchanging shape of the moon that made people fear and worship it.
Here are a few mythical stories of the moon from different traditions.
Chang’e: The Chinese goddess of the moon, consumed the potion of immortality that was gifted to her husband, Houyi, following which she flew to the heavens and became a permanent resident on the moon. She is worshipped during the Mid-Autumn Festival in China and Vietnam. People set up open-air altars facing the moon while the Goddess’ favourtie — fruits and cakes are offered.
Selene: The moon goddess in ancient Greek mythology was famous for pulling the moon across the sky in her silver chariot drawn by two winged horses. She was accompanied by her siblings Helios and Eos, the sun and dawn respectively.
Tsukuyomi: The male god who lived in the heavens with his sister, Amaterasu, the sun goddess, one day angered her when he killed Uke Mochi, the goddess of food. Amaterasu refused to look at him again and forever moved to another part of the sky which is why day and night are never together.
Tecciztecatl: The lunar deity for the Aztecs in Mexico, Tecciztecatl is often referred to as the ‘Old Moon god’. Legend has it that once the god was in the race to become the next sun god but quivered at the moment of jumping into the sacrificial fire to prove his courage. Angered, the gods threw a rabbit at him leaving an imprint and dimming his brightness so that he could be seen only at night.
Mawu and Lisa: Unlike other traditions in which sun and moon gods are separate entities, in Africa they are linked together as Creator gods. Often referred to as the holy twins, Mawu is the moon god representing the female half and creative qualities, and Lisa, the sun god that represents the male counterpart.
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