Bakunawa: The Moon-Eating Dragon

Have you ever heard of the enormous sea serpent called Bakunawa? I hadn’t, but once I read that it was so huge it could devour the moon, I had to know more. The Bakunawa, also known as the “moon-eating dragon,” is a water-dwelling entity in Philippine Mythology. You might be confused that I have referred to it as both a sea serpent and a dragon. The reason is that it has been described as both. Its physical description includes whiskers, gills, and two sets of wings, and it is famously linked to the "Legend of the Seven Moons." This creature’s powers are so great that it can cause eclipses, earthquakes, and storms.

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So let’s dig into the “Legend of the Seven Moons,” shall we? In Panay folklore, the god Bathala created seven moons to illuminate the night sky. Their light was so intense that the evenings were as light as the days. The moons were so alluring that they captured the attention of Bakunawa, causing the sea serpent rise out of the ocean and begin to swallow each of the moons. As each moon disappeared, the world grew darker. Before the last moon was consumed, the villagers realized they needed to act, or they would be left in eternal darkness. 

Following Bakunawa's swallowing of the final moon—an event believed to be associated with a lunar eclipse—the ancient Filipino villagers reacted by making loud noises. They banged pots, shouted, and beat gongs and drums to frighten the serpent. Startled by the commotion, the serpent spat out the last moon and retreated into the water, allowing the remaining moon to stay in the night sky.

Pretty cool story, right?

When I read about the Bakunawa, I have to say, I was a little freaked out. In the second book of my fantasy series, Clarity of Sight, I wrote about a giant serpent that attacks an underground community. To drive it off, the inhabitants use noise—banging pots and pans and yelling—as well as burning yarrow to drive it away. I was not expecting to discover that the Bakunawa myth had unexpected parallels with my book. While I'm sure I've encountered similar serpent-related mythologies before, it's fascinating to consider how these themes naturally bubble to the surface during the creative process.

The Bakunawa myth is alive and well today, appearing in art, traditional jewelry, video games, graphic novels, and animated series. It has also evolved as a symbol for environmental protection for the Philippine seas. Furthermore, communities in mountainous and coastal areas continue to make loud noises during eclipses.

The myth of Bakunawa demonstrates the need for humans to create stories in which they can avert disaster through their actions, giving them agency in times when obstacles seem insurmountable and inexplicable. Not to mention all of the cool symbolism associated with Bakunawa. Perhaps one is that even when darkness is consuming the light, a collective voice or effort can restore it.