According to the Channel NewsAsia webpage:
“Ancient superstition and modern commerce came together in an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which could end up being the most watched eclipse in history, due to its path over Earth's most densely inhabited areas.”
How did solar eclipses come about? Let’s start with the mythical reasons.
In ancient China, it was thought that the sun was swallowed by a dog. In India, it was thought that two demons, Rahu and Ketu, swallowed the sun, and snuffing out its life-giving light.
Since light was valued for its life-giving quality, and as a symbol for good, eclipses were seen as events of evil, for they bring about darkness.
What about the scientific reason?
Eclipses happen when the Sun and Moon are perfectly aligned. The Moon blocks the Sun, and casts a shadow over Earth.
But of course, this simple explanation does not dispel the apparently superstitious notions that people might have about eclipses.
For example, in India, many expectant mothers due for caesarean deliveries insisted on having their procedure rescheduled, and many other expectant mothers insisted on staying at home, both cases for the fear of the eclipse affecting the child and causing birth defects.
One might think this is pure superstition, but thousands of years of cultural practices are notoriously difficult to change.
Besides, despite the disenchanting and sobering quality of scientific explanation, eclipses never fail to amaze us. This goes to show the human interest in the metaphysical, and the power of the human imagination.
To end off, here’s a picture of today’s eclipse:
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