7 Unusual Myths and Theories About the Moon

Throughout history, Earthlings have formulated various myths and theories about the moon.

1. Full Moons and Madness

Full moons have long been linked to abnormal or insane behavior, such as sleepwalking, suicide, illegal activities, violence, and transforming into werewolves. The term "lunacy" stems from the Roman moon goddess, Luna. Historical beliefs include Hippocrates' claim in the fifth century B.C. that night-time madness was a visit from Luna. In 18th-century England, murder trials could consider lunacy if crimes occurred under a full moon; psychiatric patients were often restrained during certain moon phases. Despite modern studies discrediting it, some believe full moons still cause lunacy.

2. Alien Moon Dwellers

In the 1820s, Franz von Paula Gruithuisen reportedly saw cities on the moon, inhabited by "lunarians". Though mocked by peers, he earned a small lunar crater named after him. Sir William Herschel also speculated about lunar aliens monitoring supposed construction projects. In 1835, a "Great Moon Hoax" by the New York Sun falsely credited John Herschel with discoveries about lunar life.

3. Moon and Fertility

Due to their similar cycles, many ancient cultures thought the moon regulated women's fertility, evidenced by numerous female moon deities like Chang’e and Mama Quilla. In 1950s, Dr. Eugene Jonas developed a fertility theory based on lunar phases. A related yet unproven belief suggests full moons increase birth rates, a hypothesis unsupported by modern studies.

4. Hollow Moon Hypothesis

Some early 20th-century science fiction depicted the moon as hollow and housing aliens, a concept later seriously proposed in 1970 by Soviet scientists as an alien-built spacecraft. However, astronomers argue that the moon’s density and gravity would be impossible without a substantial core.

5. Moon Landing Hoaxes

Despite vast evidence, conspiracy theories claim NASA faked the Apollo moon landings with manipulated images and videos. These theorists cite supposed anomalies like a fluttering American flag. In 2002, Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon, famously punched a conspiracy theorist.

6. Nazi Lunar Base

Post-WWII rumors suggested Nazis established a moon base. Some posited that Hitler lived on in a lunar hideout after faking his death. These claims also linked UFO sightings, such as the Roswell incident, to alleged Nazi UFO development efforts, inspiring the science fiction novel "Rocket Ship Galileo" by Robert A. Heinlein in 1947.

7. Lunar Rabbit Legend

Various cultures share the myth of a moon-dwelling rabbit, an interpretation of lunar markings. Before Apollo 11’s 1969 moon landing, NASA humorously instructed the crew to look for a girl with a large rabbit on the moon, referencing the Chinese version of the tale. Pilot Michael Collins acknowledged the humorous directive.

Earlier, SSP wrote about top 5 common car superstitions.