In Greek mythology, Aurora was the Goddess of Dawn and sister of Helios, God of the Sun. She was depicted as a having rosy cheeks and opening the gates of heaven for the chariot of the sun to traverse the sky.
The Innuit people of the Northern regions believe that the aurora is the light of the torch flames that light the stairway to paradise for the spirits of their ancestors.
In Medieval Europe, people believed that an aurora was a sign of war.
Modern science tells us auroras are caused when charged particles from the sun are pushed to the north and south poles by the earth's magnetic field where they interact with oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon in the upper atmosphere and consequently glow with spectacular colours.
Which interpretation of the Aurora is "true" - which story represents "reality?"
13 comments:
To answer the question, the scientific depiction of the aurora australis is the true or real interpretation, but in the end its what you believe not what some guy in a lab coat tells you to believe. It is said that science destroys religion and in this case this is exactly what it is.
The mythology behind the Aurora borealis sounds fascinating and rather appealing. Yet, i can not even envisage any of the tales as reality when science has given indisputable evidence against them. For me, science is the reality and the rest is merely mankind's subconscious yearning for a more supernatural and heavenly meaning.
You would have to be a very obstinate person to not take the substantiation provided by science as reality.
...ehhh, I've always thought Science and Religion go hand in hand. Or should, anyway. Science cannot physically destroy religion, BUT religion has the power to veer humans off science.
Personally, I love mythology and I think it's endlessly riveting though I know it isn't true. But you can see where they're coming from, truly, and it goes to show the perspective of a lot of these people. Medieval Europe was a conflicted, plagued place, so it makes sense that they thought the Aurora was an omen of violence. The Inuits lived in a perpetually dark area, where the Aurora was the brightest, most beautiful thing in the sky. Of course they'd think it would light the way to a better place. As for the Greek mythology, God, it speaks for itself, doesn't it?
It's all about how people make sense of things. Nowadays, we have experiments and theories to make sense of reality. Back then, they had stories and legends and deities.
It really is very beautiful how these things work.
Personally I believe that anything is possible, especially in this case. Science has given us what is believed to be logic reasoning. However, this is from a man's point of view; men are prone to errors and man's theories of science has been proven wrong before.
I don't neccesarily mean to say I don't believe in science I do believe that there is a logical reasoning for everything. However the definiton of logic vary from person to person. I define science as the furthest possible explanation has to how things including divine beings form and create the natural world around us.
Take this post here for example. Modern science says the aurora is caused when charged particles from the sun are pushed to the north and south poles. When I read this the first questons that come into my mind are by what power is it being pushed? What has allowed the sun to release charged particles at a 'particular' time to create such a magnificent sight. Could it be a divine being, who wanted to warn people in midieval Europe of a war to come?
So to sum it up, yes I believe Raya who claims science is reality. I agree with Ethan who says we are free to believe in whatever we please a divine being or a guy in a lab coat and I stand by neineisharie's believe that science and religion go hand in hand.
Honestly, I think each of them are true, in their own way. I don’t think that something that is true is defined by what is logically correct- ‘reality’ is something that is totally subjective, something that differs from person to person. Those who would believe the aurora was a sign of war, to them, that was its reality.
Most modern people would rely on the scientific answer when asked this question, but I think that’s because to us, reality is a word with only one meaning- it means the truth, it means logic. We need an explanation for everything that occurs, and once we get one that makes sense, we stop questioning.
Auroras may be caused by particles that interact with oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen, but what they mean could be just about anything; from a sign of war, to the gates of heaven.
I was just on the verge of creating my own blog post about the Aurora Borealis(which is the nothern lights), when I saw this post, and was struck by the odd coincidence.
Anyways, I agree with what Raya said about the scientific explanation being a fact, but also with what Shaday pointed out, that we are free to draw our own conclusions from the phenomena, deciding what they mean to us personally; like i would've liked to associate it with the fantastical tales of Greek Mythology.
To put it into simple terms:
When it comes down to it, it is wholly and simply to the matter of one’s opinion or belief.
To someone pious or superstitious the Aurora Borealis is a portrayal of a sign from an omnipotent being (God).
To someone statistical or technological it merely depicts the scientific verification and evidence of particles that have been magnetically attracted to the north and south poles.
As far as answering the question goes, I'd say that the scientific explanation would be 'true', as it is the only theory that provides substantial evidence to justify itself.
In those days and ages, there were no facilities for people to scientifically figure out what causes the phenomena; thus, to suit their cultures and lifestyles, individuals drew up their own conclusions and theories.
This may be out of context, but about 60 years ago, in most parts of the world, if you had epilepsy and broke out into fits or 'epileptic seizures', everyone considered you to be crazy.
I did some background research, and till today in Tanzania and other parts of Africa, epilepsy is associated with possession by evil spirits and witch craft.
What's the reality now?
Sure, I agree, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and views, "Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder", but sometimes, you just have to accept the facts.
When it comes down to science and religion , it seems like there's no possible way to tell which overcomes the other or which one is the realistic explanation of surrounding environment and the magnificent findings , however sciences definition of facts are much more realistic to me than religion.
But in some cases i like to believe in Greek Mythology , the Greek myths are much more interesting and exciting.
In a never ending war between science and religion , i take neither sides and the reality of Aurora , for me is the fascinating Greek Myth.
First off, I would like to say that reality is composed of many different people who all have their own individual beliefs so identifying an interpretation as 'true' would be subjective and therefore rendering the question invalid.
That being said, I'd say that people should believe what they want to believe. Belief itself is nothing more than an explanation or part of an explanation to quench humanity's undying thirst for answers as to why things are in this life. Don't take that the wrong way, I have beliefs too, firm ones and yet it clashes to other things I learn such as mythologies and of course, science. But just because I learn them doesn't mean I have to believe them. At times I would laugh to see what science comes up with to explain things. I'm not saying it's not true, it's just that it could be a possibility just like all the beliefs in this world, because quite frankly, we just don't know.
First off, what do we consider as ‘reality’ and ‘true’? Reality is mainly defined as the actual existence of some phenomena that is able to happen in real life. ‘True’ on the other-hand is termed as something which is proven as correct, right and factual.
To generalise the true meaning regarding any subject is difficult because everyone carries their own personal perspective. We are all entitled to our opinions and though it is best to be open-minded in most cases, it is in human nature to criticise and debate about various issues that arise. Our personal opinions bring about the essence of critical thinking relating to whatever subject is being discussed.
If we look at this situation regarding the truth and reality of the Aurora Lights, many would voice out their distinct perspectives. Honestly, the logical way of determining which interpretation of the Aurora is a reality, would give way to the scientific interpretation, as it is likely seen as an occurrence which has already happened in real life and is possibly an observable fact.
In spite of this, the truth about the Aurora has a less solid stand-point from my point of view because, although science supposedly attains facts, if you open your mind into other interpretations and get glimpses of their insights, it leaves you to question what exactly is regarded as the truth behind such a puzzling event that has bedazzled the world for centuries.
*squeals*
Hands down, I say that the scientific outlooks are the true and incontestable understandings on something as magnificent as the Aurora Australis or Borealis.
But for someone who is absolutely mystified by superstition and old wives' tales, stories about such magical and enthralling sights like the Auroras, makes my heart bubble with excitement and energy.
In my life, I have no place for superstition, but Greek Mythology, Medieval outlooks and Rural stories absolutely fascinate me. The ideas, symbolism, magnificence and absolute beauty involved in these depictions gives us a rare insight into the mesmerizing minds of a society unclouded by technology, but rather of those who had the time to interpret such simple scientific phenomenons as such marvels.
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