Eclipses and Dragons: China’s Year of the Dragon, the Looming Solar Eclipse, the Taiwan Disaster and the Gaza Conflict

[New Sancai compilation first release]

What does the Year of the Dragon mean to the world?

Solar eclipses have always been a topic of curiosity for people accustomed to using science to explain natural phenomena. Even as science debunks the myth of a solar eclipse, humans never stop being in awe as darkness engulfs the sun and casts a shadow across the Earth.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking some or all of the sun's light from reaching the Earth. A solar eclipse is a rare cosmic event. A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth align and the moon casts its shadow onto our planet.

When this happens, the moon casts two types of shadows. During a partial solar eclipse, only part of the sun is covered, creating a specific type of shadow. Another type, considered by some to be the most spectacular, is called a total solar eclipse, in which the moon completely covers the sun, leaving only a visible ring in the sky.

One of the earliest records of a solar eclipse appears in the ancient Chinese text "Shu Jing", which describes a day when "the sun and moon are not in harmony". Historians believe this refers to the solar eclipse of October 22, 2134 BC. Legend has it that the royal astronomer Xi Yuhe neglected his duties at work and got drunk. As a result, they failed to foresee the solar eclipse and were beheaded by the emperor.

Observing a solar eclipse in China around 1840. Astronomers calmly observed the eclipse, while servants, horrified, fell to their knees to quell the ominous omen. Image credit: Chinese and Indian History © Mary Evans/Explorer. (Photo: Brunier and Luminet, Glorious Eclipses, Cambridge University Press/eclipsewise.com)

Historically, solar eclipses have shaped human history in many ways, reinforcing the belief in the power of natural phenomena over human behavior. The Greek historian Herodotus recorded how a total solar eclipse brought unexpected peace to the warring Lydians and Medes. During the Battle of Halis (also known as the Battle of Eclipse), the sky suddenly darkened and the sun disappeared behind the moon. Both factions interpreted this phenomenon as a sign that the gods wished to end the conflict. So they negotiated a ceasefire.

But history may record the famous explorer Christopher Columbus differently when it comes to the eclipse. Twelve years after landing in San Salvador, Columbus was exploring the coast of Central America when woodworms attacked his ship, causing it to leak and forcing him to make an emergency stop in Jamaica. He and his crew waited there for more than a year for rescue. The island's natives initially welcomed the people, providing them with food and shelter, but cut off their supplies when the Spanish failed to offer fair trade in return and some of Columbus's crew began stealing from them.

Columbus consulted his almanac and read about an impending total lunar eclipse. Ferdinand writes that Columbus told the Jamaicans that the gods were unhappy with their failure to come to aid and that they would show their displeasure by turning the moon blood red. The eclipse occurred as planned, and Ferdinand claimed that the Jamaicans then promised to resume feeding Columbus and his crew.

These events, and others, demonstrate how much human history has been shaped by these phenomena known as solar eclipses. Humanity will usher in another victory on April 8, 2024.

Year of the Dragon and the upcoming solar eclipse

Traditional Chinese dragon against the background of the full moon (Photo: © Katoosha | Dreamstime.com)

The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, and each year is associated with an animal. The twelve zodiac signs are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The order of the zodiac signs is fixed, with the Dragon ranking fifth in the cycle.

Each year also corresponds to the Chinese Five Elements theory: metal, wood, water, fire or earth. Combining animal symbols and the five elements creates a 60-year cycle. The Chinese lunisolar calendar determines the specific animals and elements associated with specific years. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon and belongs to the year of Wood. The Lunar New Year begins on February 10, 2024.

To the superstitious Chinese, the Year of the Dragon represents an auspicious year. In the year ahead, expect opportunities for wealth, advancement, enrichment, and challenge.

For many Chinese, in East Asia, the occurrence of a solar eclipse alongside the most celebrated year of the year is of great significance, as it can be interpreted as a positive or negative signal.

The 2024 total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8. It will reach the Pacific coast of Mexico at 11:07 PT, then travel northeast across the United States from Texas to Maine and finally into easternmost Canada.

Taiwan earthquake

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. (Photo: ambito)

Taiwan was struck by its strongest earthquake in a quarter of a century on Wednesday morning, killing nine people and stranding dozens more in quarries and national parks.

At about 8 a.m., the earthquake occurred, injuring more than a thousand people. Located in the mountainous coastal area of ​​Hualien County, the scene was a mess. Some buildings were leaning heavily and their ground floors were crushed. In the capital Taipei, more than 150 kilometers (93 miles) away, tiles fell from old buildings and schools evacuated students to sports fields after aftershocks.

Earthquakes occur frequently in Taiwan, and Taiwanese people are the most well-prepared for earthquakes. However, authorities expected the quake to be relatively minor and did not issue an alert. Eventually the earthquake was strong enough to scare people who were accustomed to such shaking. In terms of losses, Taiwan was largely unscathed.

Interpretations of events can be positive or negative. In the Year of the Dragon, an earthquake in China’s rebellious little neighbor may make some people gloat.

Israel-Hamas War

Photos released on December 30 show Israeli soldiers performing tasks in the Gaza corridor. (Image source: Israel Defense Forces, Reuters)

As Al-Quds Day approaches, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing for potential attacks. Al-Quds Day has historically represented tensions between the Jewish nation and its hostile neighbors.

As a result, Israel is preparing for potential actions by Hamas or its ally Iran. It canceled all leave for military personnel in combat units and called on its reserves to beef up air defense units. As a pre-emptive defensive measure, Israel disrupted GPS systems across the country. To prevent weapons that rely on GPS from accurately hitting targets in Israel.

All of these events take place during China's Year of the Dragon, and it remains to be seen what the rest of this "auspicious" year portends for the rest of the global population.

(Compiled by: Li Mingming)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: Compiled and published by New Sancai)