Sun, Moon, and Our Cosmic Soap Opera: Solar Eclipses Across Human History
I’ve never seen a total solar eclipse myself. But like countless others on this planet, I find the phenomenon super fascinating.
It’s like the ultimate game of peek-a-boo between the Moon and the Sun, and we’re all here on Earth, watching it unfold.
Imagine the Sun, our everyday superstar, suddenly getting upstaged by the cheeky puny Moon! It’s a bit like your little sibling stealing the spotlight at a family gathering.
Back in ancient India, there is this wild myth about a demon named Rahu trying to swallow the Sun. But Lord Vishnu wasn’t having it, so he chopped off Rahu’s head. And guess what? The Sun popped out through Rahu’s severed neck!
As a little kid, I had this picture book that showed Rahu, headless and trying to gobble up the Sun. It spooked me out a bit back then!
My other cherished childhood memory involving the solar eclipse was from the Tintin comics. In Prisoners of the Sun, Tintin and his friends find themselves in Peru. One of the most memorable scenes in the story involves the group facing imminent execution by the Incas, when our supersmart hero saves the day by using his knowledge of a forthcoming solar eclipse to convince the Incas that he has the power to make the sun disappear.
Despite Herge’s problematic typecasting of the tribal and indigenous peoples, his masterful narration adds an element of mystery and excitement to the adventure, emphasizing how cosmic events are intertwined with our beliefs and actions.
Throughout history, solar eclipses have been accompanied by superstitions and folklore in different cultures. These stories often include humorous elements, especially myths about dark entities swallowing the Sun.
The Mesoamerican Civilizations
Hergé appears to have drawn inspiration from the ancient Incans in his depiction of the solar eclipse scene. The Inca civilization of South America revered Inti, the all-powerful sun god, as a central figure in their religious beliefs. While Inti was generally perceived as benevolent, solar eclipses were interpreted as a sign of his wrath and displeasure (something Tintin is banking upon in the comics). Following a solar eclipse, spiritual leaders would engage in rituals to discern the cause of Inti’s anger.
For the Mayans, eclipses were known as the “broken sun,” while the Aztecs interpreted it as a jaguar threatening to consume the sun.
It’s interesting despite lacking advanced astronomical tools, the Mayans developed a sophisticated understanding of eclipses. They were viewed as moments of transition, symbolizing a temporary pause in the natural order. According to Mayan beliefs, during an eclipse, their sun god, Kinich Ahau, transformed into a jaguar and journeyed through the underworld.
The Aztecs, on the other hand, perceived eclipses as ominous events, fearing that a jaguar might devour the sun. To ward off this perceived threat, people engaged in rituals and made loud noises to protect the sun from harm.
The Mesopotamia
The ancient Mesopotamians were notably skilled at foreseeing these events. Astronomers would predict the location of solar eclipses for public viewing, according to Sarah Graff, a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Many viewed solar eclipses as signs of impending misfortune. Some of the rulers seemed almost paranoid as they appointed a temporary king to the throne. This temporary ruler acted as a decoy while the real king remained hidden, fearing the ominous implications of the eclipse. At times, when the superstitions often proved true, these temporary kings were typically executed once the eclipse had passed!
Ancient India
In Hindu mythology, Rahu and Ketu were one individual once — a demon who secured immortality by sipping the nectar of the gods. Lord Vishnu, upon discovering their deceit, severed the demon’s head, which became Rahu, while his body transformed into Ketu. They now chase the sun and moon, causing eclipses in their quest for revenge.
Ancient Indian sages made significant strides in understanding eclipses with ancient scriptures such as the Vedas and Surya Siddhantas, providing insights and intricate calculations for predicting solar and lunar eclipses.
Ancient China
Ancient China boasts a rich history of recording celestial phenomena, with over 900 solar eclipses documented in Chinese texts. Among these, the Shujing, or Book of Historical Documents, stands out as a renowned compilation dating back more than two millennia. In intriguing narratives within the Shujing, there are descriptions where the sun and moon fail to align “harmoniously,” plunging communities into chaotic scenes during eclipses.
During the Xia Dynasty, the significance of predicting eclipses was most significant. Emperor Zhong Kang is one of the best-known historical accounts of eclipses — he ordered the execution of two astronomers named Hsi and Ho who failed to forecast a solar eclipse accurately.
Ancient Greece
Contrary to its portrayal in the recent Indiana Jones movie, the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient marvel discovered in a shipwreck, was ingeniously crafted over two millennia ago. Its intricate design not only enabled the prediction of lunar and solar eclipses but also facilitated the tracking of celestial dates and events with remarkable precision.
The ancient Greeks also viewed solar eclipses as signs of the gods being angry with the king. Historian Herodotus recounted a notable instance where such an event intervened to halt a conflict between the Medians and Lydians around the 6th century B.C., underscoring the cultural and historical impact of celestial phenomena on ancient Greek society.
The Bible
In the Old Testament, there’s a story about Joshua praying for the sun and moon to stand still in the sky during a battle in Canaan. This extraordinary event allowed Joshua’s army to achieve victory over their enemies.
Researchers have speculated that this event might coincide with an annular eclipse that occurred around 1207 B.C. Interestingly, historical records from Egypt mention a battle with the Israelites in Canaan during this time.
West Africa
In West Africa, the Batammaliba, an ancient people residing in northern Togo and Benin, have a fascinating legend surrounding eclipses. According to their tradition, conflicts among humans spread to the Sun and the Moon, causing them to engage in a battle that results in an eclipse.
In response, the legendary first mothers of the Batammaliba, Puka Puka and Kuiyecoke, intervene, urging the villagers to demonstrate peace to the Sun and Moon. During a solar eclipse, the Batammaliba people now unite to reconcile old feuds.
Modern History
Forging First-Known Democracy: In 909 A.D., a pivotal eclipse is believed to have sparked the birth of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the world’s oldest known democratic government, on Turtle Island (North America). Amidst discord among the Mohawk, Seneca, Onondaga, Oneida, and Cayuga nations in what is now New York State, a Peacemaker was dispatched to restore balance. Facing skepticism and division, the Peacemaker tried to earn trust through trials and prophecies. Even as he brought peace to each nation, the Senecas remained skeptical. One day, as the sky unexpectedly darkened as an eclipse occurred, the Senecas halted the violence viewing this as a divine message.
The Great Law of Peace was established, birthing the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Saving Christopher Columbus: In 1504, a lunar eclipse swooped in like a cosmic hero, rescuing Christopher Columbus and his hungry crew from the brink of starvation. During his last voyage, Columbus wowed the locals in Jamaica with the accurate prediction of an eclipse on March 1, 1504.
A Pale Blue Dot in a Vast Cosmic Arena
Solar eclipses especially are fascinating. They remind us of how small we are in the universe.
“The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot.” — Carl Sagan, A Pale Blue Dot.
As we eagerly await the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, it’s undeniable that these cosmic phenomena have deeply impacted human culture throughout history.
Whether we’re staring up at the sky in wonder or having fun at an eclipse party, each solar eclipse brings us together and helps us appreciate the beauty and mystery of the world around us.
