Mystery in the Moon
2 days ago
- #Medieval History
- #Cultural Studies
- #Lunar Mythology
- The Moon was a source of both fear and fascination in medieval times, inspiring poetry and myths.
- Abutsu, a Japanese noblewoman, found solace and companionship in the Moon during her travels.
- Some medieval people saw mysterious creatures on the Moon, like a 'jade hare' or a 'stricken snake'.
- The 'Man in the Moon' was a common belief, with stories of his exile to space for various misdeeds.
- Medieval literature includes tales of space travel and Moon-dwellers, such as the knight Astolfo's journey to recover lost wits.
- The Moon was used in religious metaphors, symbolizing the Church reflecting God's light or the Pope's authority.
- Sufi mystics and Hindu devotees used lunar imagery to represent divine beings and devotion.
- Medieval science understood the Moon's light came from the Sun and tracked its movements with tools like astrolabes.
- The Moon was believed to influence health, with 'lunatics' thought to be affected by its phases.
- Lunar cycles were used to predict the best times for activities like planting crops or sea travel.