The red moon :

The red moon :

The Moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse. This phenomenon occurs when the Earth intervenes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the latter.

Why red?

Even if the Earth directly blocks sunlight, some of this light is refracted by the Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere acts as a filter:

•  Short wavelengths (blue, purple) are dispersed by the air, which explains why the sky is blue during the day.

•  Long wavelengths (red, orange) cross the atmosphere more easily and reach the Moon.

This phenomenon is the same that explains the red-orange colors of sunsets. The more dust or particles in the Earth's atmosphere, the more dark red the Moon can appear.

This is why we sometimes speak of "Blood Moon" during total eclipses.

The red moon, or blood moon, is often associated with mystical and supernatural events in different cultures. Here is an overview of the beliefs and legends related to them in Asia and Greek mythology:

1. Japanese beliefs 🇯🇵

In Japanese folklore, the red moon is often seen as an omen of misfortune or disaster. It can announce war, earthquakes or the anger of the kami (Shinto deities).

• Legend of yōkai and spirits: Some believe that the blood moon is a time when spirits and yōkai (demons, ghosts) are more active, crossing the world of the living more easily.

• Tsukuyomi, the god of the Moon: He is often in conflict with Amaterasu, the goddess of the Sun. Some myths suggest that the red moon could be a sign of their divine quarrel.

2. Chinese beliefs 🇨🇳

In Chinese culture, the red moon is often perceived as a bad omen.

• Lunar eclipses were considered a time when a celestial dragon devoured the moon. To avoid this, the ancient Chinese hit drums and made noise to scare the creature and make it spit out the moon.

• Symbolism of Yin and Yang: The moon being associated with Yin, a red moon can represent a cosmic imbalance, a disturbance between Yin (feminine, darkness) and Yang (masculine, light).

3. Greek mythology 🇬🇷

In ancient Greece, the red moon was a warning sign of the gods.

• Hecate, goddess of magic and the moon, was often associated with eclipses and unusual lunar phenomena. A red moon could be interpreted as a sign that it was preparing a supernatural event.

• Omens of war: In ancient times, a red moon was considered an omen of imminent disaster, especially for kings and armies in the field.

To sum up, the red moon is perceived as a sign of danger, change or chaos in many cultures. It marks a moment when the spiritual world and the real world overlap more intensely. Do you have a particular legend that interests you?