Angry Sun: How People Perceived Solar Eclipses Throughout History

The modern scientific understanding of solar eclipses reveals that they occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align in such a way that the moon's shadow falls on Earth. This alignment will cause a solar eclipse visible across much of North America on April 8, 2024, beginning in Mexico and crossing from Texas to Maine. Despite predictions and scientific explanations provided by organizations like NASA, a total solar eclipse remains an awe-inspiring and somewhat eerie experience for many observers, including seasoned astrophysicists like Fred Espenak, who is called Mr Eclipse. Espenak has witnessed 30 total solar eclipses and describes each event as bringing overwhelming feelings of awe and unease. This is prepared by SSP.

Ancient Cultural Explanations and Myths

Ancient civilizations found the sudden disappearance of the sun during an eclipse deeply mysterious and often alarming as eclipse translates to "abandonment" or "disappearance." These civilizations crafted various mythologies to explain the phenomenon. For example, Norse myths attributed eclipses to wolves attempting to devour the sun, while in China, the sun was thought to be consumed by a celestial dragon. Similar mythological beings, such as frogs, toads, and jaguars, appeared in other cultures' explanations.

Folklorist James Deutsch from the Smithsonian noted that storytelling around eclipses helped people cope with the fear of the unknown. Cultures created myths where both good and evil forces battled, often depicting creatures trying to destroy or consume the sun. In these narratives, human actions, like making loud noises, were believed to ward off these creatures.

Predictors of Doom and Superstitions

Eclipses were often interpreted as ominous signs, predicting doom or demanding actions to avert disaster. For instance, ancient Babylonians perceived solar eclipses as symbols of royal death, leading to elaborate rituals involving substitute kings. This belief played a vital role in advancing their astronomical predictions of eclipses through systems like the Saros cycle.

Despite scientific advances, the notion of eclipses as bad omens persists. NASA reports ongoing myths and superstitions tied to health and fortune. There are historical figures whose deaths coincided with eclipses, reinforcing these ancient apprehensions. Shakespeare, Stephen King, and other storytellers have employed eclipses as ominous devices in literature.

Modern superstitions involve protective measures; for example, pregnant women in Latin America wear safety pins, and in India, metal is avoided during eclipses. However, not all beliefs around eclipses are gloomy. For instance, Italians believe that flowers planted during an eclipse bloom brighter. Scientists emphasize that while these myths hold cultural significance, there's no evidence linking solar eclipses to harmful effects on health or behavior.

Logical Flow and Coherence in Cultural Narratives

Cultural stories often reflect humanity's need to understand and exert control over natural phenomena. Deutsch theorizes that eclipse myths, folklore, and rituals developed as societies sought to interpret and influence their experiences with solar eclipses. This cultural lens reveals shared human desires for stability and understanding in the face of unpredictable cosmic events.

In sum, while eclipses stir scientific curiosity and have contributed to significant advancements in our understanding of the cosmos, they also inspire awe and have historically given rise to a tapestry of myths and superstitions that span centuries and cultures, reflecting both our fears and our need to draw meaning from the celestial spectacle.