the seven moons and Bakunawa; Philippine Myth

Bakunawa and The seven moons  

A long long time ago when the world was still young there were seven orbs in the night sky each called “buwan”(moon)  each moon is an embodiment of   a lunar "diwata" (deity). One night  Bakunawa the diwata of the underworld looked up and saw them and was captivated by their beauty and decided to transform into a gigantic sea serpent with a mouth the size of a lake, his tongue red as blood, whiskers, gills, small wires at its sides, and two sets of wings, one is large and ash-gray while the other is small and is found further down his  body. Bakunawa was so enchanted by the beauty of the moons that night, he rose up out of the underworld through the sea and swallowed one moon whole.

Bakunawa: The Filipino Dragon by ~jrldorado

Inordinately proud of his feat, he slunk back down to his watery domain. Unfortunately, he soon realized the moon inside him was melting away like candle wax. He wants to take a moon that would last; Bakunawa rose into the sky the next night and swallowed another moon. But this one too melted away. Night after night he took another moon from the sky, and each time it melted away inside him."
Subang,Banolor,Balining the diwatas of the moon faded each time Bakunawas swallowed a moon.

Libulan who was fairest, timid and gentle hid among the darkness of the cosmos never the shine again because of his fear of being eaten by Bakunawa.
Mayari was  the first to leave the heavens to be with a man who she both pitied and loved; a man who was ostracized by his whole village and tribe for being incompetent and being tattoo-less(during that time tattoos were a symbol of status and bravery amongst men) it is said that Mayari wed the man and became happy

Mayari  the first of the moons to leave the heavens to be with a man who she both pitied and loved; a man who was ostracized by his whole village and tribe for being incompetent and being "mapurao"tattoo-less

Bulan ; he who is pale and has the appearance of an adolescent boy; child-like and playful descended from the heavens to save himself from  Bakunawa. The young Bulan now accompanies the god of death Sidapa who was very lonely and has long admired the beauty of the moons. It is believed that Bulan lives to this day with Sidapa happily at on top of Mount Madia-as in the province of Antique

Sidapa claimed the boy Bulan
from the sky so they can sleep
in each other's arms until the end of time

Haliya forged a masked made of silver to hide her sadness and tears due to her siblings leaving her alone thus she was now known as The masked goddess of the moon did not leave her post in heaven, being “maisug” (courageous)  she stayed on her post and each time Bakunawa tries to devour her she fights him and is aided by all that believe in her by making loud noises
By now only one moon was left in the sky; the fierce Haliya

Bathala also was known as Kan-Laon the creator of all saw what had happened was furious. Rather than kill  Bakunawa, he punished him to remain in the beast for all eternity and commanded him not to devour the last moon."
"They say Bakunawa obeys Bathala’s order… most of the time. Every now and then he tries, yes he tries to eat the last moon, and that is why it turns red. But the people on earth raise a loud clamor of clanging and clashing metal, screaming and wailing, all to startle him into spitting the moon out. Others take the gentler approach, playing music to put him into a deep sleep so that the moon will roll out of his mouth."

Bakunawa and the seven moons

 In ancient times, the night sky was graced by seven luminous moons, each one a pearl of light that danced across the heavens. The moons were gifts from Bathala, the Supreme God, who watched over the world and ensured the balance of light and dark. Under their silver glow, the world thrived in peace, the night illuminated with their soothing light.

But in the deepest depths of the ocean, there lived a creature of insatiable hunger—Bacunawa, a giant eel-dragon whose massive body undulated like a living wave. Her scales were as dark as the abyss, and her eyes burned with an unquenchable desire. For countless nights, Bacunawa gazed up at the seven moons, mesmerized by their brilliance. Her envy grew with each passing night, turning into a consuming obsession. She wanted to possess the moons, to bring their light into her shadowy realm and make them her own.

One fateful evening, Bacunawa could no longer resist her desire. As the night fell and the moons began their celestial dance, Bacunawa emerged from the ocean, her colossal form slicing through the sky like a dark comet. The first moon, shining brightly, caught her eye. With a roar that shook the heavens, she opened her gaping maw and swallowed it whole. The night darkened slightly, and the people on earth looked up in shock.

But Bacunawa was far from finished. She continued her ascent, her hunger driving her forward. She devoured the second moon, then the third. Each moon that disappeared into her cavernous belly caused the sky to dim further, and fear began to spread among the people.

By the time Bacunawa had swallowed the fourth moon, the darkness was almost total. The people, now in a state of panic, realized that if she continued, the remaining moons would soon be devoured, plunging the world into perpetual night. As Bacunawa consumed the fifth moon, they knew they had to act quickly.

Desperate and terrified, the villagers recalled the ancient stories told by their ancestors. It was said that in times of great peril, when the gods were called with enough fervor and noise, Bathala himself would intervene. The people had no choice but to trust in the old legends. They gathered together, grabbing whatever instruments they could—drums, gongs, pots, and pans. With a unified effort, they began to create an overwhelming cacophony.

Their cries and clamor filled the night. They shouted to the heavens, their voices rising in desperate plea. “Bathala! Great Bathala! Hear our cries! Save the moons and stop Bacunawa!”

The noise was so intense that it reached the very heavens. Bathala, in his celestial abode, heard the desperate call of his people. His divine heart was moved by their plight, and he saw Bacunawa rising ever higher, her hunger now fixated on the sixth moon.

With a flash of divine light, Bathala descended from the highest realms. His presence was overwhelming, a radiance that cut through the darkness. The very sky seemed to part as he appeared, his form glowing with the brilliance of the sun. His voice, powerful and commanding, reverberated across the heavens.

“Bacunawa!” Bathala’s voice was like rolling thunder. “You dare to consume my gifts and plunge the world into eternal darkness? Your greed will not be tolerated. Return what you have taken, or face the consequences of your actions.”

Bacunawa, now halfway through devouring the sixth moon, was startled by Bathala’s sudden appearance. She hesitated, her great maw still open as she considered the final moon. Her hunger was intense, but the sheer force of Bathala’s presence was even more formidable. She hissed defiantly, “I will have the last moon! The darkness will be mine to command!”

But Bathala’s divine power was overwhelming. He raised his hand, and a blinding light erupted from his fingertips. Bolts of celestial energy and divine fire streaked across the sky, striking Bacunawa with an intense force. The serpent-dragon roared in pain as the divine light seared her scales, forcing her to release her hold on the sixth moon.

The people, seeing the light and hearing Bacunawa’s cries, renewed their clamor. Their noise, now joined with Bathala’s power, reached a deafening crescendo. Bacunawa, writhing in agony, was driven back from the heavens. The final moon, untouched by her grasp, shone brightly once more.

Bathala’s gaze was stern as he addressed Bacunawa. “You will not consume the last moon, nor will you ever again threaten the balance of the night. Return to the depths of the ocean and remain there, where you belong.”

With a final flash of divine light, Bathala banished Bacunawa back into the sea. The serpent-dragon, defeated and humiliated, sank into the dark waters, her hunger unfulfilled

The people rejoiced, their voices still echoing with gratitude. They knew that their cries had reached Bathala and had been answered. The last moon is safe, the light shining over the world, and the night was once more illuminated.

From that day forward, the people remembered the power of their collective voice and their faith in Bathala. Whenever the moons began to dim or Bacunawa threatened to rise again, they would gather and make their noise, calling out to the Supreme God to protect their celestial gifts.

The Legend of Bakunawa and the Seven Moons

 

The Legend of Bakunawa and the Seven Moons

In the ancient days of the Philippines, there were seven moons that graced the sky, each one glowing with a distinct and radiant light. These moons brought beauty to the night, illuminating the lands, seas, and forests with their silvery glow. The people adored the moons, believing them to be divine gifts, symbols of life and harmony.

But beneath the deep, dark waters of the ocean, a creature of immense size and power slumbered. His name was Bakunawa, a giant eel-like dragon with scales as dark as the deepest night and eyes that burned like smoldering embers. He was an ancient being, filled with envy for the beauty of the moons, longing to devour them and claim their light for himself.

Night after night, Bakunawa would rise from the depths of the ocean to gaze at the seven moons, his heart filled with desire. Their brilliance only fed his hunger, and the thought of swallowing them became an obsession he could no longer resist.

One fateful evening, as the moons aligned in the sky in their full glory, Bakunawa made his move. He surged out of the ocean with a mighty roar, his enormous body coiling up into the heavens. His jaws opened wide, and with one swift motion, he swallowed the first moon whole.

The people below looked up in horror as the first moon disappeared from the sky, its light extinguished in an instant. Darkness began to creep over the land, and a cold fear spread among the people. They cried out in terror, praying to the gods to save the remaining moons.

But Bakunawa was not finished. His hunger only grew stronger as he tasted the moon's light. He lunged for the second moon, devouring it just as quickly as the first. Then, the third moon vanished into his maw, followed by the fourth. One by one, Bakunawa consumed the moons, plunging the world deeper into darkness.

As Bakunawa prepared to devour the sixth moon, the Supreme God Bathala, the creator and protector of the universe, felt the balance of the heavens tipping into chaos. Bathala, watching from his throne in Kaluwalhatian, the realm of the gods, knew he had to act swiftly before Bakunawa could consume the final moon and bring eternal darkness upon the world.

With a flash of divine power, Bathala descended from the heavens, his presence filling the skies with radiant light. His form was mighty and vast, draped in robes of shimmering stardust, and his eyes gleamed with the light of a thousand suns.

“Bakunawa!” Bathala’s voice thundered across the sky, causing the oceans to churn and the winds to howl. “Cease your destruction, and return to the depths from which you came!”

But Bakunawa, emboldened by his feast of moons, snarled at Bathala. “I am the master of the seas and the skies,” Bakunawa hissed, his long body writhing through the clouds. “The moons belong to me now, and I will devour the last of them to bring darkness to your creation!”

Undeterred, Bathala raised his hand, and from it, a brilliant beam of light shot forth, striking Bakunawa and halting his advance toward the sixth moon. The light was so intense that it burned through the darkness Bakunawa had spread, forcing the dragon to recoil in pain.

Roaring in fury, Bakunawa lashed out at Bathala, his enormous body twisting and curling as he tried to strike the god down. But Bathala was far too powerful. With a wave of his hand, Bathala summoned chains of lightning, which wrapped around Bakunawa’s body, binding him and pulling him away from the moons.

“You are a creature of darkness, Bakunawa,” Bathala said, his voice filled with both sorrow and command. “You were never meant to possess the light of the moons. Your hunger shall be your downfall.”

Bakunawa, enraged and defiant, fought against the chains, his eyes still locked on the final moon. But no matter how hard he struggled, he could not break free from Bathala’s divine power.

With a final burst of energy, Bathala cast Bakunawa down from the sky, hurling him back into the depths of the ocean where he belonged. The moons Bakunawa had swallowed were freed from his belly, returning to their rightful places in the heavens, their light restored. The world was once again bathed in the serene glow of the seven moons, and peace returned to the night.

Yet, Bathala knew that Bakunawa’s hunger would never truly be quenched. From time to time, the serpent would rise again, reaching for the moons in his endless desire to consume them. During these moments, when the people saw the moon beginning to disappear, they knew it was Bakunawa trying to swallow it once more. They would beat drums, clang pots and pans, and shout into the night, hoping to scare the dragon away and protect the moon.

Though Bakunawa would forever try to steal the moons, Bathala’s power ensured that he would never succeed. The seven moons remained in the sky, a symbol of light’s eternal triumph over darkness and a reminder of Bathala’s vigilance over his creation.

And so, the legend of Bakunawa and the seven moons lived on, passed down from generation to generation

Bacunawa and the Seven moons

 

The Legend of the Bakunawa and the Seven Moons

Long ago, in the ancient skies of the Philippines, there were not just one, but seven moons. These celestial orbs lit up the night, casting their silvery glow over the land and sea, filling the world with beauty and light. The people gazed up in awe every evening, worshipping their ethereal presence.

But deep within the dark, mysterious waters of the ocean, a monstrous being stirred. His name was Bakunawa, a giant eel-like serpent with shimmering black scales and eyes that gleamed with the hunger of ages. His coils were vast, long enough to circle entire islands, and his massive jaws could swallow a mountain whole. Bakunawa had lived beneath the sea for millennia, unseen and unheard, his presence only known through whispered tales told by fishermen.

One fateful night, Bakunawa swam up from the depths. As he surfaced and gazed upon the seven moons, their glow entranced him. They shone so bright, so full of life, that his hunger grew beyond control. He longed to devour their light, to possess the beauty they held and make it his own.

With a mighty leap, Bakunawa surged out of the ocean and into the sky. His serpentine body spiraled upward, twisting and turning as he reached for the nearest moon. His jaws opened wide, and in a single snap, he swallowed the first moon whole.

Darkness spread across the sky, and the people below cried out in terror as they saw one of their beloved moons disappear. They prayed to the gods for protection, but Bakunawa was not finished. His hunger only grew fiercer, and he lunged toward the second moon, then the third.

One by one, Bakunawa devoured the moons, plunging the world into ever-deepening darkness.

It seemed as though nothing could stop the ravenous serpent. The heavens trembled, and the earth itself shook under his mighty power. But as Bakunawa reached for the sixth moon, the great god Laon awoke.

Laon, the ancient god of wisdom and might, had watched over the land since the dawn of time. His eyes, filled with the knowledge of the universe, saw the devastation Bakunawa was bringing to the world. Determined to save the last moon and restore balance, Laon descended from his celestial throne.

With a voice that echoed across the seas and mountains, Laon called out to Bakunawa, “Cease your destruction, serpent of the deep! You have taken enough.”

But Bakunawa, drunk with the power of the moons he had consumed, sneered at Laon. “I hunger for more!” he hissed. “I will devour the last of the moons and reign over a world of eternal darkness.”

Without another word, Bakunawa lunged toward the final moon, his jaws wide and his eyes gleaming with malevolence. But Laon was ready. Summoning the power of the gods, he stretched out his hand, and a brilliant light erupted from his palm, brighter than the combined glow of all seven moons.

The light struck Bakunawa with the force of a thousand storms, and the great serpent was thrown back, hissing in pain. He writhed in the sky, his body twisting and coiling, but no matter how hard he struggled, he could not approach the last moon.

Laon raised his other hand, and from the depths of the earth, chains of light emerged, wrapping themselves around Bakunawa’s vast body. The serpent thrashed, roaring in fury, but the chains tightened, dragging him back down toward the ocean.

“You shall not destroy what you cannot understand,” Laon declared. “Return to the deep, and know that you will never again consume the light of the heavens.”

With one final surge of power, Laon cast Bakunawa back into the ocean, where the serpent plunged into the dark depths, defeated and enraged. The remaining moon shone brightly once again, and the world was saved from eternal darkness.

However, the legend says that Bakunawa’s hunger was never fully sated. On some nights, when the moon appears to fade from the sky, it is said that Bakunawa is trying once more to swallow it whole. And in those moments, the people bang their drums, shout, and clang their pots and pans, hoping to drive the serpent away before he can devour the last of the light.

But as long as Laon watches over the world, the Bakunawa will never succeed in his quest to consume the final moon. And so, the last moon continues to shine, a reminder of the great battle between light and darkness, and the eternal vigilance of the gods.