The tale explains the origin of the stars, the Moon’s markings, and the Sun and Moon’s eternal chase. Once married, the Sun’s intense heat burned their star-children, angering the Moon. After disobedience, the Sun caused more harm, prompting a quarrel where the Moon was marked with sand. Their chase across the sky symbolizes their unresolved conflict, creating a timeless celestial dance.
Source
Philippine Folk Tales
compiled and annotated by
Mabel Cook Cole
A.C. McClurg & Co., Chicago, 1916
► Themes of the story
Origin of Things: The tale provides an explanation for the creation of stars and the celestial dynamics between the Sun and Moon.
Cosmic Order and Chaos: The narrative reflects the balance and discord in the cosmos, represented by the harmonious creation of star-children and the subsequent chaos following their destruction.
Love and Betrayal: The initial union between the Sun and Moon, followed by the Sun’s actions leading to the loss of their children and the ensuing conflict, highlights themes of love and betrayal.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Philippines peoples
Once upon a time the Sun and the Moon were married, and they had many children who were the stars. The Sun was very fond of his children, but whenever he tried to embrace any of them, he was so hot that he burned them up. This made the Moon so angry that finally she forbade him to touch them again, and he was greatly grieved. One day the Moon went down to the spring to do some washing, and when she left she told the Sun that he must not touch any of their children in her absence. When she returned, however, she found that he had disobeyed her, and several of the children had perished.
► Continue reading…
She was very angry, and picked up a banana tree to strike him, whereupon he threw sand in her face, and to this day you can see the dark marks on the face of the Moon.
Then the Sun started to chase her, and they have been going ever since. Sometimes he gets so near that he almost catches her, but she escapes, and by and by she is far ahead again.
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Dreamtime Whispers 