Ancient Civilizations

The Moon: A Symbol of Mystery and Worship in Ancient Cultures

Long before modern science revealed the true nature of the moon, ancient cultures around the world looked to the sky and saw a celestial body that fascinated and inspired them. For many of these cultures, the moon was more than just a natural satellite of the Earth; it was a symbol of mystery, power, and worship. Let's explore some of the cultures that talked about the moon before the modern era.

Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia

One of the oldest known civilizations, Mesopotamia, which existed in the region of present-day Iraq, had a rich lunar mythology. The Babylonians, who inhabited Mesopotamia from the 18th to the 6th century BCE, worshiped the moon as the god Sin, who was believed to be the ruler of the night sky. They also developed a lunar calendar, which divided the year into twelve lunar months.

Stone relief carving of an eagle-headed genius from the temple of Ninurta at Kalhu; such depictions were widely, but erroneously, identified as Ninurta in the nineteenth century and were popularly known as "Nisrochs"
China

China

In Chinese culture, the moon has been an important symbol for over 3,000 years. The ancient Chinese believed that the moon was a powerful deity, responsible for controlling the tides and influencing human behavior. They developed a lunar calendar that is still used in some parts of China today, and celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.

View of Pit 1, the largest excavation pit of the Terracotta Army
Egypt

Egypt

The ancient Egyptians associated the moon with the god Thoth, who was believed to be the inventor of writing, mathematics, and astronomy. They also believed that the moon was a symbol of regeneration and rebirth, and associated it with the goddess Isis. The lunar calendar was used to determine the timing of important religious festivals and ceremonies, and the phases of the moon were used to predict the flooding of the Nile.

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature with the head of a human, and the body of a lion.
Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica

The Maya civilization, which flourished in Mesoamerica from the 3rd to the 10th century CE, had a complex lunar mythology. The Mayans developed a lunar calendar that was more accurate than the European calendar at the time, and used it to track the movements of the moon and the sun. They also associated the moon with fertility and agriculture, and believed that it had a significant impact on human behavior.

Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city located in a sub-valley of the Valley of Mexico.

Conclusion

The moon has been a symbol of mystery and worship in many ancient cultures. Mesopotamians, Chinese, Egyptians, and Mayans are just a few examples of cultures that developed rich lunar mythologies and associated the moon with deities, calendars, and important religious festivals. For these cultures, the moon was a powerful force that influenced human behavior and the natural world. Today, we have a deeper understanding of the moon's physical properties, but its symbolic power and cultural significance continue to inspire us.