Dalagang Nasa Buwan

Dalagang nasa Buwan

 

Kulalaying or Buan or Dalagang nasa Buwan, the Goddess of the Moon, played an important role in the beliefs of the Ancient Tagalog people. Historical records like the Boxer Codex and Customs of the Tagalogs show that they highly respected and worshipped the moon, especially during the new moon.

Kulalaying literally mean blemishes on the face of the moon or moon craters

Dalagang nasa buwan

Dalagang binubukot

Dalagang nasa Buwan

During the new moon, the Tagalog people celebrated and prayed, asking the moon for a good life and prosperity. They believed that the moon, referred to as a deity, had the power to provide abundance and a long life.

A prayer dedicated to the moon goddess, found in the San Buenaventura dictionary, reflects their devotion. It translates to "Moon, my Lady, make me rich," emphasizing their belief in the moon's ability to bring prosperity.

The Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala gives more details about how the Tagalog people saw the moon, describing it as "L. del cielo" or "from the sky." It also mentions different phases of the moon, adding to their understanding of it.

Dalagang nasa buwan

In a letter by the archbishop of Manila, Felipe Pardo, another name related to the moon goddess is mentioned - Dalagang Binubukot, the Cloistered Maiden in the moon. This shows that the interpretation of the moon goddess varied in different regions.

The documented practices and prayers for Kulalaying or Dalagang nasa Buwan reveal the deep spiritual connection the Tagalog people had with the moon. They sought the moon's blessings for a prosperous and fulfilling life.