Lunar Eclipse: Cultural Beliefs and Scientific Explanations

This article examines the lunar eclipse from two interrelated perspectives: cultural beliefs and scientific explanations. In ancient Thai society, the eclipse was known as “Rahu swallowing the Moon,” reflecting beliefs in celestial deities and omens of misfortune, accompanied by rituals to ward off evil. Similarly, Indian and Chinese traditions interpreted the phenomenon through mythological figures such as Rahu or a celestial dragon. In contemporary science, however, a lunar eclipse is explained as the Earth blocking sunlight, causing the Moon to pass through the penumbra and umbra. Nevertheless, the cultural notion of Rahu remains embedded in Thai language, literature and religious practice. The article also addresses the role of “color and light” during eclipses. At totality, the Moon turns brick-red or becomes a so-called “Blood Moon,” caused by the Earth’s atmosphere filtering out shorter wavelengths and refracting red light onto the lunar surface. The exact hue reflects the atmospheric conditions at the time. Additionally, the article highlights three significant events (2022, 2025, and 2026), demonstrating that total lunar eclipses do not follow a fixed cycle but depend on orbital alignment. In conclusion, the lunar eclipse embodies both scientific knowledge and cultural heritage, coexisting as parallel interpretations of a shared celestial event.