These two celestial bodies have been at the heart of numerous myths and beliefs since time immemorial. Even today, they play an essential role in the fields of dreams and astrology in many cultures. Let's discover together the legends surrounding the moon and the sun, as well as what they symbolize.
The Sun-Moon duality: two complementary opposites...
Traditionally, the sun is often opposed to the moon. It is the symbol of light and life, while the moon rather represents night, death, and the world of darkness. Furthermore, the characteristics of these two celestial bodies have nothing in common:
- The sun is a masculine principle, the moon a feminine principle.
- The sun is associated with the "+" symbol, which is a sign of positivity, while the moon is associated with the "-" symbol and negativity.
- The sun is a fire element, and the moon is a water element.
- The sun is considered in its symbolism as a spirit (intangible), while the moon is associated with matter (tangible) and the soul.
- The sun reveals through its light, the moon nurtures mystery in its darkness.
- The sun is a gaseous star, while the moon is solid.
Despite all these striking differences, the sun and moon are nevertheless inseparable and complementary. For example, in order to live, we humans need daylight to be active, just as we need night to rest. Moreover, the sun cannot do without areas of shadow. Without shadows, we would not be able to see. Finally, the moon reflects the sun's light and is considered a questioning, a reflective soul, charged with a potential to be exposed.
The sun and the moon, genders that differ by country
While in French-speaking countries we tend to associate the moon with a symbol of femininity and the sun with masculinity, this is not applicable to all cultures. Indeed, many examples prove that these two functions can be completely reversed. In Central Asia, nomadic peoples consider the sun as a mother (called "Mother Sun") who protects and brings comfort and warmth to her little ones. In Japan, in Shinto belief, the sun is called "Kami Amaterasu," literally the Sun goddess. She is often depicted as a beautiful young woman with a white complexion and long black hair, and the Japanese imperial family is said to descend directly from her lineage. The moon, on the other hand, is named "Tsukuyomi," the god of the Moon, who is said to be the younger brother of the Sun goddess. Moreover, in Germany, the sun is assigned a feminine pronoun. Finally, in Norse mythology, the character of Sol is considered the goddess of the Sun, and Màni the god of the Moon.
The sun, a strong symbol of divinity and love
Although the gender associated with it differs across countries, the sun always represents power and divine character that enables life. Indeed, it is essential for our development on Earth, and without it, we simply could not live. In the Bible, the Sun was created on the 4th day, thus bringing light and love to Earth. It is therefore considered the representation of God's power: it floods the world and spreads the word of the Holy Spirit through its rays. Among the Greeks, Helios is the personification of the Sun, and among the Aztecs, the name "Huitzilopochtli" is used to refer to the god of the Sun and War. Finally, in France, King Louis XIV was nicknamed "the Sun King" to demonstrate his influence over the country, its culture, and its quasi-military organization.
A celestial body that represents danger
Among its many metaphors, the sun can also be dangerous in the sense that it burns and blinds: for example, it is impossible to look directly into it or approach it too closely. Thus, the Sun is often associated with the element of fire, which reflects an unspeakable truth or even denial. Some people also associate it with the impossibility of accessing divine knowledge and the misunderstanding of religion among men.
A symbol of rebirth and hope
In Egyptian mythology, legend has it that the sun god Ra would travel aboard a boat at night. During his nocturnal journey, which would repeat every evening, he would confront the forces of evil and darkness in order to regain his original place in the sky and announce a new day. Thus, the sun is considered a symbol of resurrection in the face of chaos. Therefore, the setting sun announces the beginning of darkness and trials to be overcome, while the rising sun announces the victory achieved over obstacles in our path.
The moon, a symbol of fertility and motherhood
The ultimate feminine symbol, the moon is very often associated with maternal function and reproduction. Indeed, it is at night that most children are conceived, thus evoking notions of intimacy and mystery. Furthermore, several studies prove that the full moon leads to more births in mammals as well as humans! Like a protective mother, the moon soothes hearts and softens customs. We enjoy contemplating it and reflecting on the meaning of our lives, so it has a philosophical reach that pushes us to question ourselves and meditate to embark on the path of change: it represents the unconscious and the world of dreams, offering us visions of what we are unable to see in broad daylight or consciously.
A symbol of charm and illusion
Due to its generally feminine side, the moon is also considered a symbol of charm and illusion. Like a mirror, the moon reflects what we are and stimulates our imagination. However, its dark side also makes it a powerful enemy that we must fight so as not to fall into illusion or into a deep sleep, and thus face reality to keep our feet on the ground. Moreover, for women, the moon generally evokes the search for self and identity. It is therefore synonymous with doubts or even misunderstanding on the part of some men, and its discreet yet imposing power can be considered a threat or an affront to virility.
The moon, a guide in darkness and a path to spirituality
Among the Aztecs, the moon was associated with a purgatory. It was to her that one confessed one's sins or addressed one's last words before dying, hoping for divine forgiveness or protection. Moreover, the moon is a celestial body that serves as a guide and a measure of time for harvests or festivities. This is particularly the case in Islam, where the moon governs the beginning and end of the month of Ramadan. Finally, the moon was once very important for creating calendars, as its different phases were used to determine cycles, which is still the case in traditional Muslim and Hebrew calendars.
The legend of Selene in Greek mythology
In Greek mythology, Selene is the personification of the Moon. Her brother, Helios, represents the sun. One day, Helios drowned in the Eridanus river and lost his life. Unable to live without her brother, Selene took her own life to join him in the afterlife. Touched by this symbolic gesture, the gods made Selene a star in the sky. She was thus represented by the image of a magnificent young woman crossing the sky on a silver chariot drawn by two horses. Later, legend has it that Selene gave two daughters to Zeus and fifty daughters to a shepherd named Endymion, with whom she had a passionate love story. Endymion was then offered the possibility of making a wish by Zeus, and he chose immortality. However, out of jealousy and envy of his relationship with Selene, Zeus plunged Endymion into an eternal sleep. Since then, every time night falls, it is said that the moon approaches the inert body of her lover and embraces him, sighing in despair.
We hope you enjoyed this article on the myths and symbolism of the sun and moon! Feel free to leave a comment on what these celestial bodies evoke for you and the place they hold in your life; we would be delighted to read them. Furthermore, if you wish to delve deeper, we also invite you to discover our article on astrology and zodiac signs.
