Ancient Civilizations' Responses to Solar Eclipses: From Rituals to Scientific Prediction
This article explores how ancient cultures interpreted solar eclipses, often perceiving them as signs or assaults from divine entities. The Ojibwe launched flaming arrows to rekindle the sun, while pre-Columbian Peruvians shot arrows at the creature thought to be battling the sun. The Maya referred to eclipses as 'chi'bal k'iin' and used drums to ward off Kukulkán, whereas the Aztecs engaged in rituals, including human sacrifices, to appease the jaguar deity Tepeyollotl. In Hindu lore, the demon Rahu was believed to consume the sun. Babylonian astronomer-priests created the Saros cycle for eclipse predictions, and Anaxagoras suggested a natural explanation, though such insights were exclusive to the elite. The piece cites James George Frazer's 1890 work 'The Golden Bough' and a 1723 illustration by Bernard Picart.
Key facts
- Ancient civilizations often viewed solar eclipses as omens or attacks by mythical beings.
- The Ojibwe people shot flaming arrows to relight the sun during eclipses.
- Pre-Columbian populations in Peru's Ucayali region shot arrows at the animal they believed the sun was fighting.
- The Maya called eclipses 'chi'bal k'iin' (sun eaten) and made loud noises to drive away Kukulkán.
- The Aztecs blamed the jaguar god Tepeyollotl and performed rituals, including human sacrifices.
- In Hindu mythology, the demon Rahu's head was believed to swallow the sun.
- Babylonian astronomers developed the Saros cycle, predicting eclipses every 18 years and 11 days.
- Anaxagoras proposed a natural explanation for eclipses in ancient Greece.
- Scientific knowledge of eclipses was limited to elites, while superstitions persisted among the general population.
- James George Frazer documented eclipse traditions in 'The Golden Bough' (1890).
Entities
Artists
- Bernard Picart
- Pierre Brébiette
- James George Frazer
- Anaxagoras
Institutions
- The Print Collector
- Heritage Art
- Heritage Images
- Getty Images
Locations
- North America
- Peru
- Ucayali
- Amazon
- China
- India
- Uttar Pradesh
- Babylon
- Greece
- Itaca