Myths associated with a total solar eclipse

The complete disappearance of the Sun in the total eclipse is the subject for countless mystical tales in cultures.

The only total solar eclipse event in 2016 takes place on the morning of March 9. Hundreds of thousands of people in Indonesia were eager to see the solar eclipse in the darkness when the Moon obscured the Sun. Residents in northeastern Australia, East Asia and South Asia also have the opportunity to observe a partial solar eclipse.

According to Ancient Origins, this rare astronomical phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, making some parts of the Earth temporarily dark. Since prehistoric times, humans have sought to explain eclipses through many myths and protect themselves every time an eclipse takes place.

Some places on Earth are completely covered by darkness during the total solar eclipse.(Photo: NASA).

Indigenous tribe Da'a in Sigi, Indonesia often held special rituals to protect Earth people before a solar eclipse. Many cultures around the world also think that this is a dangerous moment and brings a bad omen. The ancient Greeks believed that the eclipse reported before the disaster.

In myth, the sudden disappearance of the Sun or Moon is often explained by supernatural entities eating away. According to The Examiner, Vietnamese believe that a solar eclipse occurs when a giant toad swallowed the Sun. Similarly, Korean mythology states that the lord of the shadow kingdom challenges the fire dog Bulgae to the Sun and Moon. The Sun was too hot and the Moon was too cold, causing the dog to painfully release and return to the wounds.

According to native Serrano in California, USA, eclipse is the time when the souls of the dead try to eat the Sun. While the solar eclipse took place, magicians and servants danced and sang to soothe the souls of the dead while people shouted loudly to chase away the ghost.

According to National Georaphic, in Indian mythology, the demon Rahu steals the medicine of immortality. The Sun and Moon tell of Rahu and Vishnu. Vishnu cut off Rahu's head when he was taking medicine, so his head became immortal while his body died. In rage, Rahu's head continued to chase the Sun and Moon, occasionally swallowing them. However, because Rahu has no body, the Sun and Moon only disappear temporarily and fall out from beneath Rahu's head.

People in many cultures still maintain the custom of chasing away evil spirits and bad luck during the solar eclipse. Some places are vegetarian. Pregnant women and children are advised to stay indoors. Other practices include knocking pot, beating drums, making noise in eclipses to exorcise and urging to restore natural order.