Ancients myths regarding eclipses abound
Ancients myths regarding eclipses abound. In Chinese mythology, lunar eclipses occur because the Dragon, a masculine solar energy, is attempting to eat the moon ... . To counteract this effect, it was traditional in ancient China to make loud noises (e.g., bang drums) to frighten the Dragon away. As recently as the nineteenth century, the Chinese navy fired its cannons during a lunar eclipse because of this belief. In 1503 Columbus' ships ran aground in Jamaica. During the year that Columbus and his crew waited for rescue, the natives took care of them. Eventually, however, the islanders tired of feeding them. Columbus had an almanac and knew of an upcoming lunar eclipse. Just before the eclipse, he told them that his god was angry and would show them that evening. When the moon was eclipsed that night, the islanders promised to continue providing for them, if Columbus' god would restore the moon. Various traditions credit lunar and solar eclipses with affecting huma