These two celestial bodies have been at the heart of many myths and beliefs since time immemorial. Even today, they play an essential role in the fields of oneirism and astrology in many cultures. Let's discover together the legends surrounding the moon and the sun, as well as what they symbolize.
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The Sun-Moon duality: two complementary opposites...
By custom, the sun is often opposed to the moon. It is the symbol of light and life, while the moon represents night, death, and the world of darkness. Moreover, 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 guarantee 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 fuels mystery in its darkness.
- The sun is a gaseous star, while the moon is solid.
Despite all these glaring 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 shadows. Without shadows, we would not be able to see. Finally, the moon reflects the sun's light and is considered a self-reflection, a thinking soul, charged with 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, numerous examples prove that these two functions can be completely reversed. In Central Asia, nomadic peoples consider the sun to be 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 goddess of the Sun. She is often depicted as a woman of captivating beauty, with a fair complexion and long black hair, and the Japanese imperial family is said to be directly descended 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. Furthermore, in Germany, the sun takes a feminine pronoun. Finally, in Norse mythology, the character of Sol is considered the goddess of the Sun and Màni as 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 allows for 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 star 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 at it directly or get too close. Therefore, the Sun is often associated with the element of fire, which translates into an unmentionable truth or denial. Some people also associate it with the inability to access divine knowledge and the incomprehension 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 during the night. During his nightly journey, which would repeat every evening, he would confront the forces of evil and darkness in order to regain his initial place in the sky and announce a new day. Thus, the sun is considered a symbol of resurrection in the face of chaos. Consequently, 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 maternity
The moon, a quintessential feminine symbol, is very often associated with maternal function and reproduction. Indeed, most children are conceived at night, evoking notions of intimacy and mystery. Moreover, several studies show that the full moon leads to more births in mammals as well as in humans! Like a protective mother, the moon soothes hearts and calms manners. We enjoy contemplating it and reflecting on the meaning of our lives, so it has a philosophical scope that pushes us to question ourselves and meditate to embark on the path of change: it represents the unconscious and the world of dreams, capable of 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 deep sleep and thus face it 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 misunderstanding on the part of some men, and its discreet yet imposing power can be considered a threat or an attack on virility.
The moon, a guide in the darkness and a path to spirituality
Among the Aztecs, the moon was associated with purgatory. It was to her that one confessed one's faults or addressed one's last words before dying, hoping for forgiveness or divine protection. Furthermore, the moon is a celestial body that serves as a guide and a measure of time for harvests and festivals. 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 transformed Selene into a celestial body. She was thus represented as a magnificent young woman who traverses the sky in a silver chariot drawn by two horses. Later, legend tells that Selene bore two daughters to Zeus and fifty daughters to a shepherd named Endymion, with whom she shared a passionate love story. Endymion was then offered the opportunity to make a wish by Zeus, and he chose immortality. However, out of jealousy and envy of his relationship with Selene, Zeus plunged Endymion into 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 us a comment about what these celestial bodies evoke for you and the place they hold in your life; we would love to read your thoughts. Additionally, if you wish to delve deeper, we invite you to also discover our article on astrology and the zodiac signs.
