Here's what ancient cultures thought of solar eclipses Misconceptions about solar eclipses continue today





See what civilizations believed about solar eclipses ahead. less A total eclipse will be visible in North America on Monday and people all over the world are making plans to see it in person. Before the event could be explained scientifically, ancient civilizations had numerous myths to explain the eclipse. A total eclipse will be visible in North America on Monday and people all over the world are making plans to see it in person. Before the event could be explained scientifically, ancient civilizations had ... more Photo: Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Here's what ancient cultures thought of solar eclipses 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

For the first time in 38 years, people in the continental United States will be able to see a total solar eclipse on Monday.

People all over the world are planning to converge in small towns across America where the celestial phenomenon can be viewed. And while NASA can simply define the event as a time when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, the event still inspires awe from those who see it.

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In ancient times, many civilizations believed a fantastic beast was eating the sun, causing it to temporarily turn black. Others thought the eclipse was the result of a deity's wrath, causing them to panic.

The Greeks believed the gods were contemplating punishment on a king so before the event, prisoners would be forced to stand in as the king. After the eclipse and the king wasn't dead, the substitute kings would be executed, reports the Washington Post.

Yugoslavian tribes believed a werewolf was eating the sun while Koreans told tales of a king who ordered his fire dogs to steal the sun so he could brighten his own kingdom, according to Live Science.

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Today, science has removed the idea of celestial animals eating the sun and the moon. The legends show however that humans have also been fascinated by natural phenomena and their place in the world on a universal scale.

Whatever you believe, all civilizations knew to not looking into the eclipse as it can blind you. No other known health affects are associated with solar eclipses.

See more myths and legends about the solar eclipse in the slideshow above.