海外文化:英美民俗 有关月亮的迷信

【英文原文】

摘要：月亮影响人间生活的迷信自古有之。古代哲学家和祭司们说，由于月亮有圆缺，与人的出生、成长、衰老、死亡有关联。

Many peoples used to believe that the moon influenced life. Philosophers and priests in ancient times taught that the moon was related to birth, growth, and death because it waxed and waned. Some people feared eclipses as signs of famine, war, or other disasters. According to one superstition, sleeping in moonlight could cause people to lose their sound mind. Crazy people may become even crazier under the influence of the moon. When people become slightly crazy, they are often said to be moonstruck, that is, under the influence of the moon. The word lunatic, which means moonstruck, comes from luna, a Latin word meaning moon. Even today, many people believe the moon affects the weather. Others think seeds grow especially well when planted during a waxing moon. The best day for a wedding is the day when the moon is full.

【中文译文】

月亮影响人间生活的迷信自古有之。古代哲学家和祭司们说，由于月亮有圆缺，与人的出生、成长、衰老、死亡有关联。古人对月蚀感到恐惧，视之为饥荒、战争和其他灾祸的征兆。迷信的人认为，睡在月光里对人的心智有害。有精神病的人在月圆时会犯病。英文里表示“精神错乱”的词“moonstruck”就是受到月亮伤害的意思。另一个表示同样意思的词“lunatic”源于拉丁文“luna”，即月亮。即使在今天，仍有人认为月亮会影响天气。还有人认为，趁上弦月时播种，庄稼会长得茂盛。另外，满月时结婚有福。