I enjoy writing about the ancient myths and stories that have shaped our collective history.
The moon is a powerful force of nature. Just step outside in the middle of the night, when the sky is clear and the moon is full, and look at it for a moment. You won’t be able to deny its intense, magical power. And people throughout time haven’t been able to deny it either. In fact, the moon is a central part of many myths and legends across different cultures precisely because of its power.
Take a look at these 10 moon legends to get a better sense of how different people see its beauty and wonder.
10 Legends About the Moon
- Moon Rabbit
1. Chang'e (China)
There is a very famous Chinese myth about a woman who is said to live on the moon. There are different variations of the myth, but the basic story is that she and her husband were once immortal beings who were made mortal because of their bad behavior. They then attempted to achieve immortality again through the use of a pill, but Chang'e got greedy and took too much of the pill and ended up floating up to the moon, where she remained stuck forever. She is the subject of much Chinese poetry and is one of the central reasons for celebration each autumn during the Chinese Moon Festival.
2. Moon Rabbit (China/Korea/Japan)
This is an interesting myth because it crosses several different cultures. The moon rabbit or jade rabbit is said to be one of the companions that Chang'e eventually was allowed to have with her on the moon. However, it is also a symbol that shows up in myths about the moon in Korea and in Japan.
3. Selene/Luna (Greek and Roman)
These are the names of the Moon Goddess in Greek and Roman mythology, respectively. In the myths associated with these goddesses, the goddess is paired with the god of the sun (Helios in Greek mythology, Sol in Roman mythology). He travels throughout the day, and she takes over the journey at night. She is typically considered to be a passionate goddess who takes many lovers and who represents the desire associated with the moon.
4. Tecciztecatl (Aztec)
Not all of the deities associated with the moon are goddesses. This is an example of a male god that is associated with the moon. What is interesting about the myths surrounding him is how many of the same symbols from different moon myths are found in the stories about him. Although he was an Aztec god, there are associations with the Asian cultures (he was a rabbit, for example, associating him with the aforementioned Moon Rabbit) and even associations with modern-day moon myths like the story of the "man on the moon."
5. Anningan (Inuit)
The Inuit people of northern regions like Alaska and Greenland have a rather horrifying myth about the moon. They believe that Anningan (also called Igaluk or Aningaaq), the Moon God, raped his sister, the Sun Goddess. Worse, they believe that he is still trying to chase her down to possess her. That’s why he follows her in the sky every day. The waxing and waning of the moon is explained as Anningan chasing her until he is starving and then disappearing for a bit to hunt for food to have the energy to come back to chase her again.
6. Mawu (Africa)
A much happier couple-based story about the moon is this myth from Africa, which says that Mawu is a moon good who is forever linked in unity with the sun goddess Liza. It is believed that lunar and solar eclipses are related to the lovemaking times of the celestial couple. This myth is clearly about the power of the moon, the sun, the sky, and love and desire.
7. Soma (Hindu)
This is a Hindu god that is associated with the moon. It’s interesting because of the fact that there are several additional symbols that we see here that are commonly associated with the moon. In Hindu art, Soma is sometimes an embryo and sometimes a bull. Fertility is frequently associated with the moon. The bull is also a symbol that has shown up as related to the moon across cultures. The main thing about Soma though is its link with the moon as an elixir. Soma is the name of a drink said to be consumed by the Gods. Interestingly, the moon rabbit who lives on the moon with Chang’e in the Chinese myth is also an elixir-making symbol.
8. Rona (New Zealand)
This is a story that comes from the Maori tribe in New Zealand. The story is about a young woman named Rona who displeased the moon so the moon seized her and took her away. In the myth, she grabs on to a tree and drags it with her to the moon. It is believed by some that the tree is said to represent fertility, further linking the moon with this symbol.
9. Ixchel (Mayan)
The Mayan people have several stories about different moon goddesses. One goddess frequently associated with the moon is Ixchel, who is associated with the moon because she is a fertility goddess. However, it is believed that she may actually be the "grandmother of the moon" and represent aging and the drying up of fertility in old age, so she is most commonly linked with the waxing of the moon and not the moon at all times.
One of the creatures that we often see depicted in movie myths and legends is the werewolf. This creature is, of course, affiliated with the full moon. Typically it is believed that these are creatures that have human form but that morph into wolf-like (typically violent) creatures when the full moon is in the sky. Some legends state that if you get bitten by a werewolf, you will also become one during the full moon. In other tales, the only way to kill a werewolf is with a bullet made of silver. There are many different variations on this because of all of the books and movies that have been made about werewolves.
The Magic of the Moon
These are just 10 examples of some of the powerful stories that people across time and across the world associate with the moon. Using many different forms of symbolism, the moon itself has become a symbol of love, desire, change, passion, fertility, and violence.
© 2009 Kathryn Vercillo
DarthDominus81 on May 07, 2020:
"Myth", "legends".....both are synonyms for bullshit
zamoria on November 09, 2016:
I really like it wow
BJGBN on November 07, 2016:
ITS REALLY INTRESTING
baller on October 26, 2016:
saw dude. great facts
juju on October 26, 2016:
that was awesome! thx!
Allie on October 23, 2016:
Very interesting and cool! Thank You!!!!
my name is Jeff on October 10, 2016:
having a moon shaped like a banana is really weird at day and night
RBOB on October 07, 2016:
its ya boi on September 29, 2016:
Samantha Erickson on September 28, 2016:
Having a moon shaped like a banana is really weird at day and night
Hi on July 31, 2016:
diamond carroll on April 15, 2016:
this is good information thank you
Awesomeness on March 10, 2015:
BumbeeBee and Catscat[aka Zara] on March 10, 2015:
really Zack did you even read the hole thing I did
zack on March 09, 2015:
zack is awesome
BumbeeBee on March 09, 2015:
Catscat and BumbeeBee is the same person
My mine craft name is bumbeeBee on March 09, 2015:
It was very educational!! It was so fun to read. So much reading and facts. they NEED to add more then ten facts. I know one!! A god,[ I forgot his name!] banished a man to the moon, and the man was remembered as the man in the moon!
The ten facts were fun to read, a BIG shoutout to Kathryn Vercillo
Catscat on March 09, 2015:
It was very educational!!
Kyl/nic/nel on May 05, 2014:
This is all so awesome my report will be done soon thanks
roblox on February 09, 2014:
tom on December 18, 2013:
cool. Great for my graphic novel research, cheers
InfiniteLlover on November 11, 2013:
I loved this! It helped me on my homework a lot and I just wanted to thank you =)
harrystyles on November 04, 2013:
I love this imforfamtion
Twiggy2 on September 26, 2013:
Very cool facts! It helped me a lot! Thx
Home my Heaven on June 10, 2013:
Some cool myths about myth. Really wonderful things for a myth lover like me.
Loki on April 24, 2013:
Cool, way into the moon. Plan to use these stories to freak my science teachers mind (she thinks i never read anything)
Ausseye on April 22, 2013:
What a moon you make though thoughtful knowledge
I just sees it as apiece of space junk
That left a dinosaur’s less earthly
But then that was a bit before human fantasies
But you make a light that shines in the dark
Love you hard work on flashing a Moonie
Am in awe of your hard work and loved the read
Hope it never decides to return to earth
No pill would cure that headache
Kalmiya from North America on March 10, 2013:
The moon is an endless source of lore and fascination. When I look at it on a summer night, especially when it's full, it seems almost strange that some celestial body can hang in the sky so close to earth. I believe in the moon and wrote a hub about timing activities by her cycles. Strangely, there are some theories around the internet that the moon was created and planted there for specific hidden agenda purposes. If such a thing proved true, all us moon lovers would have a shock! Thanks and voted up.
Dr.S.P.PADMA PRASAD from Tumkur on January 11, 2013:
Good collection of myths. but I would like to add something:-
1. 'Soma' is another name for moon himself.In ancient Indian literature(whether Hindu,Jain, or Buddhist) Moon is regarded as male.Soma, Shashanka,Chandra,Indu- etc, are the other names of Moon-all of Samskrut origin.
2. Drink soma is different one. It is another meaning of the same word. but that has no connection with moon.
3 In Indian astrology, moon is a planet influencing on the minds of people.The zodiac sign in which moon lies at the time of birth is called
'Janma Rashi' or birth sign.
Madailein Aisling Ireland from Seattle, WA on December 26, 2012:
Awesome and beautiful. Voted up!
Jimmy on June 15, 2012:
Another myth is water on the moon. Many NASA scientists are claiming it. But that’s impossible! Why? Because the vacuum of space abhors water. What’s more, ethereal objects such as the moon also abhor water. Only earth-things like Earth are properly hydrophilic. That’s why we have water here on Earth. It’s so obvious!
But why are NASA scientists really trying to claim the moon has water? Well, let me tell you a side story. 15 quintillion years ago the Reptilians lived on the moon (yes, the moon really is that old). Reptilians are literally the only beings without a single ounce of water in their body. In fact, they can’t stand water as chronicled in that documentary Signs. So it would make sense that they would live on the moon, a place without any ounce of water. So is it any coincidence that NASA is trying to revise proper understanding of history? They’re just trying to make it look like Reptilians could never have lived on the moon. It’s obviously a desperate attempt on their part to cover their asses.
So do these Reptilians still live on the moon? Not anymore. Because NASA is slowly putting water droplets on the moon even though celestial objects are not supposed to have water. There goes NASA destroying the balance of nature, as usual!
Anyway, the Reptilians got smart 8 quintillion years ago because they knew that Earth had a hollow that they could live in. In this hollow of the Earth, there is no sign of water whatsoever. It is a perfect place for Reptilians to live.
The hollow Earth model also explains why Reptilian spacecraft often are sighted entering the ocean. It’s obvious that the Reptilian spacecraft are going subterranean.
Anyway, NASA, stop with the bullshit and finally admit your Reptilian Fed Controlled connections!
sam23 on May 29, 2012:
the moon seems so much more interesting now thanks a billion
alejadro on May 24, 2012:
Beatrix on April 19, 2012:
This is interesting stuff.
Reve from Dhaka on March 21, 2012:
Never heard about those myths before. They seem to be pretty nice stories. Thanks a lot for sharing with us :)
princesswithapen on March 06, 2012:
From romantic outdoor dinners in the moonlight to theatrical plays, the moon and the mysterious aura surrounding it has always had an exotic appeal. These legends and myths about the moon make for an intriguing read.
brian january on February 28, 2012:
I'm fascinated by the lunar/goddess mythology! In my thriller "Silver", one of the lead characters speculates on the moon goddess Ariadne being the Minoan Snake Goddess of ancient Crete. Love this stuff!
Hamlet on February 24, 2012:
Interesting Myths. Thank you.
tim on February 14, 2012:
Andrew chavez on February 06, 2012:
The moon and the sun chase eachother around and around
Shwetha Shetty on February 03, 2012:
That's awesome. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing
Liz Rayen from California on December 26, 2011:
Very interesting. Looking forward to reading more.
myfish on October 17, 2011:
This is very interesting thank you for my new use of knowledge
RalphGreene on September 19, 2011:
I love myths. Interesting topic.
Ravi Singh from India on August 18, 2011:
SO many interesting facts.. I love moon more now. thanks
hana on August 09, 2011:
very good information i would love to visit this website again
Yu on July 27, 2011:
there's also a legend in vietnam about the moon. In it a man was sitting on a tree then the tree flew to the moon w/ him on it.
JohnnyNobody on July 02, 2011:
)O( We all come from the Goddess... Enjoyable read.
Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on June 24, 2011:
Very interesting hub. Thanks.
Web World Watcher on June 17, 2011:
So very interesting. i have a remedial college knowledge of astronomy in general so this hub is a very welcome resource
upping on April 26, 2011:
Golfgal from McKinney, Texas on March 20, 2011:
We are soooo involved with the moon. Our love affair is endless. We sing songs about it, write poems, our cows jump over it, we catch moon beams, drink moon shine, flash it now and then, among many others. I think I feel another hub to be written by moon light :). Thanks for your inspiration.
Quinnster on February 12, 2011:
I like this very much. I needed this to do research for school.
megan on February 08, 2011:
good hub but i didn't understand some of them especially moon rabbit.
luciexxxx84 on February 08, 2011:
Doin a project, this website realy helped x
affan on January 15, 2011:
very good for the society
EmoIsCool from Mauritius on December 20, 2010:
i love myths
pennyofheaven from New Zealand on December 15, 2010:
I love myth and legends! Excellent hub! Thanks!
native girl :) on December 10, 2010:
Amazing information! Really helped my research! Keep posting!
angelfallingfeather on November 27, 2010:
This ws a good site to get started on a deeper research assignment. Creating a lesson plan with this information will be awesome!
Kim Lynn on November 10, 2010:
Angela Michelle Schultz from United States on October 13, 2010:
Very Interesting! I actually linked from my hub to your hub, because I thought it was a really awesome hub! Voted up as well!!
Mayhem's eye on September 30, 2010:
I keep thinking of something from the movie Moonstruck. The old grandfather tells his friends about the full moon, "La bella luna, the moon brings the woman to the man." I've been searching for a myth that might reflect that belief for something that I'm writing. The closest I've come are some of the myths that focus on sexuality. Do you know of any others?
ilikepie on September 23, 2010:
im doin a report on teh moon. thx for the info
marisuewrites from USA on September 18, 2010:
I love the moon! I'm a Cancer, sooooo a moonchild should love the moon. great info!
The moon is the earth's birthchild, you know. When our gravity was formed, the big "rock" that went to the center sent a spray of earth out into the orbit, which cooled and went to just the right spot, and formed our moon.
Yep. it's a fact, tho' very paraphrased.
greg g zaino from L'America- Big Pine Key, Florida on August 27, 2010:
Well done Kathryn! I enjoyed this write very much and shared it on facebook... The topic is one in which all can enjoy.
:] You've done your homework and it shows. Great Hub!
peace - greg z
uk on August 24, 2010:
gr8 information.,helped in my thesis
Michelle on August 12, 2010:
Good!! But where are your sources?
Folklore on August 09, 2010:
Thanks for this interesting read. I always enjoy reading about random myths, legends, and folklore. This particular subject reminds me of when I was researching about the lunar effect (full moon madness), a while back.
TJ Hooper from dublin Ga on July 04, 2010:
very awesome hub! I loved all the stories of the moon gods/goddesses.
adorababy from Syracuse, NY on June 14, 2010:
These are nice to know interesting things.
DJ on May 25, 2010:
Nice I love hearing about the moom and myth
Ro on May 23, 2010:
This is sooooo awesome!!!! So helpful, and actually very interesting! :)
rjb on May 18, 2010:
Wow! Who knew?! That is all so facinating, and very helpful for my project! Thanx!:)
Donny on May 14, 2010:
The moon and sun are one .
clarissa on May 03, 2010:
not very helpfull.
Levi Joshua Kell from Arizona on April 16, 2010:
That was a great hub. Thanks!
electricsky from North Georgia on April 14, 2010:
Very good stories about the lunar moon.
I must say I had never heard any of them before reading your hub.
catiebug on March 23, 2010:
doing a report on moon myths this helped a lot thanks bunches !!!!!
Elena on March 23, 2010:
The moon is so interesting to learn bout. Wish there was a special class for it!!! It's all do very romantic if you think bout it that way!!!
catiebug on March 23, 2010:
lol love myths bout the moon very intriguing to learn bout.
meaavash on March 01, 2010:
MOON GOD on February 25, 2010:
Im A Werewolf :D
myawn from Florida on February 05, 2010:
Very interesting I love to look at the moon it is amazing Thanks!for the hub
cp3paige on January 18, 2010:
prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on January 17, 2010:
it was really interesting legend about moon. Thanks
Petra Vlah from Los Angeles on January 15, 2010:
Very interesting; never knew that so many legends existed.
Thank you for posting it
Mystique1957 from Caracas-Venezuela on January 13, 2010:
I am a moon lover! In fact,
My love poems and some sad poems(Most in Spanish)
are inspired by the moon. Which I choose to
call Selene, just as I choose to call Earth,
Gaia. Yup! I definitely like your writing!
Moon-Chick on November 24, 2009:
I like the one about the Mawu myth. It is very interesting myth.
Unique Kids Stuff on October 27, 2009:
I didn't know any of this. Very interesting.
Joanie Ruppel from Texas on October 26, 2009:
I'm always fascinated with the legends and myths that have come up in different cultures over the years for the heavenly bodies. Good hub.
aimee on October 11, 2009:
i love the moon and all wat it can do and the stroys behind it
joebhoy from Manila on October 09, 2009:
keep on posting. i like your hub.
quijonido on October 04, 2009:
Wow - very interesting indeed.
Kimberly Bunch from EAST WENATCHEE on September 01, 2009:
CarinaLamendola on August 20, 2009:
Sexy jonty from India on August 05, 2009:
Great hub .... very original and informative .....
vinny2 on August 05, 2009:
Awesome hub. Loved the information thoroughly.
Mansi.Patel from Indiana on August 01, 2009:
Great hub!!! Thanks for all the info :)
Paper Moon from In the clouds on July 20, 2009:
Oh I love myths about the moon. But of course, you could have guessed that.