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Showing posts from October, 2023

Bakunawa: The Tale of a Dragon and Seven Moons

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  The  Bakunawa , a huge serpent-like dragon that coiled around the earth and ruled the oceans, first fell in love with the heavenly magnificence of the "seven sisters" such that he envied the almighty for his creations. But to the people of earth's collective dismay and disappointment, the dragon swallowed the moons one by one, each night, as he yearned to possess them all. This growing yearning turned into envy and greed, so the Bakunawa arose again and again from the waters to swallow the moons. The towering, ferocious dragon successfully devoured all—but one. According to the ancient people of the Philippines,  Bathala —a supreme being or god—created seven moons that illuminated the earth, with one illuminating each of the dark nights of the week. Every evening was ever so bright and so beautiful because of these moons as the moons brought joy and happiness to the people of the earth. This, however, mesmerized one particular dragon that wished to have them all. The Ba