The Mystery of the Full Moon

Ever wonder why the full moon is so special in stories and legends? From brave werewolves to the gentle Moon Rabbit, every culture has fascinating tales about this glowing orb in the night sky. Let’s take a magical journey around the world and discover the amazing myths and creatures that come alive under the light of the full moon.

After our adventure through these tales, we’re going to learn how to draw a full moon ourselves, complete with a stunning glowing effect! Get ready for an adventure that’s as bright and mysterious as the moon itself!

Myths and Cultural Beliefs

The Greek Goddess Selene

In ancient Greece, people believed the moon was a beautiful goddess named Selene. They imagined her riding across the night sky in a glowing chariot, pulled by white horses. They thought Selene’s light was her way of smiling down at them from the sky.

Native American Moon Names

Many Native American tribes named each full moon to match what was happening in nature. For instance, they called the full moon in June the ‘Strawberry Moon’ because that was the time to pick ripe strawberries. These names helped them keep track of time and seasons.

Chang’e, the Moon Goddess of China

In China, there’s a famous story about a goddess named Chang’e who lives on the moon. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people celebrate Chang’e by looking at the moon and eating mooncakes. They believe the full moon is a symbol of family and togetherness.

Tsuki-no-Usagi, the Moon Rabbit of Japan

In Japan, there’s a tale about a rabbit that lives on the moon, known as Tsuki-no-Usagi. People say that if you look closely at the full moon, you might see the rabbit making mochi, which is a special type of rice cake. It’s a fun game to try and spot the rabbit in the moon!

Máni, the Moon Chased by a Wolf in Norse Mythology

In the stories from the Vikings, the moon, called Máni, is always being chased across the sky by a wolf. The full moon is when Máni has managed to escape the wolf, shining brightly in relief and victory.

African Myths: The Moon and Rain

In some African stories, the moon is seen as a gentle and kind god who controls the rain. A bright full moon is a good sign, indicating that there will be plenty of rain for the crops and animals.

Moon Creatures and Urban Legends

Werewolves (Europe and North America)

In many stories, especially from Europe, there’s a creature called a werewolf. People believed that during a full moon, some humans could transform into these creatures – part wolf and part human. Werewolves were thought to be very strong and powerful, and they would only turn back into humans when the full moon was over. This legend was used to explain why wolves were more active and could be heard howling during the full moon.

The Moon Rabbit (Asia)

In countries like China, Japan, and Korea, there’s a legend about a rabbit that lives on the moon, known as the Moon Rabbit or Jade Rabbit. The story says that this rabbit makes medicine or pounds mochi (a type of rice cake) on the moon. When you look at the full moon, some people say you can see the shape of a rabbit, which is how this legend began.

Chonchon (South America)

In South American folklore, especially in Chile, there’s a story about a creature called the Chonchon. People believed that certain sorcerers could turn themselves into these flying creatures that looked like heads with big ears. According to the legend, they would fly around under the light of the full moon, causing mischief.

Bakunawa (Philippines)

In the Philippines, there’s a legend about a dragon-like creature called Bakunawa. It was believed that this creature could swallow the moon, causing eclipses. During a full moon, people would bang pots and make noise to scare the Bakunawa away and prevent it from eating the moon.

Selkies (Scottish and Irish Folklore)

Selkies are magical creatures from Scottish and Irish stories. They are said to live as seals in the sea but shed their skin to become humans on land. According to the legends, selkies could change their form during the full moon and often had secret lives that humans knew little about.

Now, Let’s Draw a Glowing Full Moon!

Let’s grab our pencils and paper, because we’re about to learn how to draw our very own full moon. I’ll guide you through each step to create a beautiful, glowing full moon