Total Solar Eclipse: How Religions React To The Celestial Event
NEW YORK — Eclipses — both solar and lunar — have long captivated humans for millennia, often evoking a sense of wonder, mystery and even fear.
Throughout history, various cultures and religions have attributed spiritual and symbolic significance to these celestial events. The interpretations of eclipses, however, have varied widely across different belief systems over the centuries, reflecting the diverse ways in which humans seek to understand and relate to the universe.
A big swath of North America will have the chance on Monday to see the solar eclipse’s path of totality, the last such event to affect the contiguous United States until 2044. For many, preparing for this event — in which the moon will pass between the sun and Earth, immersing part of the country in darkness in the middle of the afternoon — brings memories of the magnificent total solar eclipse that took place on Aug. 21, 2017.
READ: Gospel Outreach And Church Festivals To Mark April Solar Eclipse
In 2017, an estimated 215 million U.S. adults viewed the solar eclipse, either directly or electronically. The path of totality — where viewers can see the moon totally block the sun, revealing the star’s outer atmosphere, called the corona — is much wider during the upcoming total solar eclipse than it was during the one that took place in 2017.
From ancient civilizations to the modern age, humans have sought to understand and make meaning of these celestial phenomena in ways that reflect their spiritual beliefs, cultural traditions, and worldview.
Whether viewed as omens, manifestations of divine power or natural happenings, eclipses continue to inspire awe and wonder, reminding us of the interconnectedness of the cosmos and our place within it.
On Monday, totality will last longer than it did in 2017. Seven years ago, the longest period of totality, according to NASA, was experienced near Carbondale, Illinois, at 2 minutes and 42 seconds.
For the upcoming eclipse, totality will last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds in an area near Torreon, Mexico. As the eclipse enters Texas, totality will last about 4 minutes and 26 seconds at the center of the eclipse’s path.
How religious of an event is it for some? So much so that six inmates at a New York prison have sued to see the eclipse, claiming the rare spectacle is a “religious event” that they should be allowed to witness. The prisoners at Woodbourne Correctional Facility argued that the natural phenomenon should “warrant gathering, celebration, worship, and prayer,” according to their federal lawsuit.
Graphic courtesy of NASA
As far back as ancient Mesopotamia
One of the earliest recorded instances of eclipse observations dates back to Mesopotamia in the fourth century B.C.E., when celestial events were closely intertwined with religious beliefs and practices.
In Mesopotamian culture, eclipses were often interpreted as omens — signaling impending changes or divine messages from the gods. Similar beliefs were held in ancient China, where eclipses were seen as cosmic disruptions caused by celestial dragons devouring the sun or moon. Rituals and ceremonies were performed to appease the dragons and ensure the return of the celestial bodies.
In Hinduism, eclipses hold significant religious symbolism and are mentioned in ancient texts such as the Vedas and Puranas. According to Hindu belief, eclipses occur when the demon Rahu swallows the sun or moon, only to release them later.
Rituals like bathing in holy rivers and chanting mantras are performed during eclipses to mitigate any negative effects and purify oneself spiritually. Similarly, in Buddhism, eclipses are considered important celestial phenomena, often associated with meditation, introspection and mindfulness practices.
In ancient Egypt, the sun god Ra played a central role in religious beliefs, and solar eclipses were seen as manifestations of his power and influence. The ancient Egyptians also observed lunar eclipses, which were linked to the moon god Thoth and were believed to hold symbolic significance for the cycles of life, death and rebirth.
Unsplash photo
Christianity and Islam
In the Hebrew Bible, prophets often describe eclipses or celestial phenomena as illustrations of a higher power at work. In Christianity, eclipses have been interpreted in various ways throughout history. In medieval Europe, solar eclipses were sometimes viewed as signs of divine wrath or impending doom, prompting prayers and penitence among believers.
However, with advances in scientific understanding, the religious interpretations of eclipses in Christianity have become less prominent, and they are now often seen as natural phenomena rather than supernatural events.
Similarly, in Islam, eclipses are regarded as signs of Allah's power and majesty, as mentioned in the Quran. Muslims are encouraged to engage in prayer and reflection during eclipses, emphasizing the transient nature of worldly affairs and the ultimate authority of the divine.
Like Christianity, the religious significance of eclipses in Islam is not as pronounced as it once was, as scientific knowledge has provided alternative explanations for these celestial occurrences.
Unsplash photo
Indigenous cultures
Among Indigenous cultures around the world, eclipses are often viewed through the lens of traditional spirituality and cosmology.
For example, among the Maasai people of East Africa, eclipses are seen as moments of celestial alignment, representing the interconnectedness of all living beings and the cyclical nature of existence. Rituals and ceremonies are performed to honor the sacredness of the event and maintain harmony with the natural world.
The belief around eclipses is pronounced among the Navajo, but not shared among all Indigenous cultures across North, Central and South America.
In Navajo culture, for instance, an eclipse is about solemnity, not spectacle. It marks the end of a cycle and the power of when the moon and sun are in alignment. When the sun is blocked, it is undergoing a rebirth. It also is seen as the moon and the sun embracing each other.
It should be noted that — except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face — it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
Clemente Lisi is the executive editor of Religion Unplugged. He previously served as deputy head of news at the New York Daily News and a longtime reporter at The New York Post. Follow him on X @ClementeLisi.