Moon Mythology and Culture

Moon Mythology and Culture

• Monthly cycle of Moon linked to women’s monthly cycles in many cultures
• many religions feature female Lunar deities such as the Greek goddess Selene
• Sometimes worshipped in witchcraft
• An influencer of human affairs in Astrology
• In Roman mythology, the moon goddess is Luna (latin word for Moon)
• old English name “Moon’s Day” -> Monday

○ A translation of the latin dies lunae (day of the moon)

• In Romance languages

○ French = Lundi

○ Spanish = Lunes

○ Italian = Lunedì

• Many religions and calendars are oriented chronologically by the Moon (as opposed to Sun)

○ Hebrew

○ Islamic

○ Chinese

○ Hindi = Chandra

§ Moon has religious significance in several Hindu festivals