Interesting Myths About The Sun

By Asha Das

With the advance of science and technology many things about sun become proven facts. But, sun is the centre of many myths even in this modern time. This means that sun remains a mysterious piece of light and heat with an array of solar myths.

Myths about sun vary according to the custom and culture of various communities. The parables about the sun that exist among many cultures are quite interesting unbelievable. No matter how much science expanded, sun remains as an inexplicable bit of curiosity.

Among all myths about the sun, the Aztec myths about sun remain as the most interesting of all times. Aztecs are certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, who consider sun as a God. They had their calendar made based on their belief in God. This itself shows how popular can be the Aztec myths about sun.

Apart from this, there are many interesting stories and myths about the sun that can make our space researches go crazy. The origin and existence of sun remain as the main theme of myths. Many of these exist even now a day among different tribes. Here are some among them.

Interesting Myths About The Sun

Concept of four suns: Tonatiuh was a Sun god of the Aztecs. According to the Aztecs, there were five suns. Out of these, four suns died at the end of each cosmic era. The sun that exists in the present is Tonatiuh, the fifth sun.

Sun is a God: There are many people who believe that sun is a God. Indian, Indonesian, Egyptian and Aztec mythologies are based on the concept that sun is a God. They have rituals and customs that are related to their myths and beliefs.

There is a sun eater: According to ancient Chinese myth, solar eclipses occur when a demon or dragon devours the sun. During this time they will play drums or hammer pots to scare the sun-eater. They believe that the sun will be saved if they do so.

Hou Yi Shot the Sun: According to Chinese mythology, there were ten suns. Once, all the suns together led to a widespread drought. Then, as per the order of the sun god Dijun, an archer Hou Yi killed all nine suns, when the sun that shines now escaped.

Man can please sun: It is a common belief in the Hinduism that we can please sun by various rituals. There are many mantras that are specially used for this purpose that are believed to be strong enough to please sun.

Sailing the Sun Boat: In the Egyptian pantheon, one of the deities was the falcon-headed sun god, Ra. They believe that the sun row a boat crewed by gods across the sky. Sun return to the east through the underworld, leaving darkness in the earth.

Sun has an enemy: According to the Egyptian mythology, during the journey of sun from east to west, an evil serpent named Apep will try to stop it. They believe that this time is the solar eclipse. No worries; the sun will always escape!

Disaster in every 52 years: According to the Aztec myths about the sun, the two Aztec calendars will align in every 52 years, causing many disasters in the earth. They follow a special ritual called the New Fire Festival to avoid this.

Slow Down, Sun: The Maori people of New Zealand have another myth to share. Earlier, when day was too short, the hero Maui and his brothers trapped and thrashed the sun until it became tired. Now, the tired sun is moving slowly, so that we get enough day time! How crazy!

Story first published: Sunday, February 2, 2014, 14:46 [IST]
Read more about: bizarre life