Sun and Moon (Inuit myth)

In Inuit mythology, the Sun (usually a woman) and the Moon (usually a man) are often siblings or otherwise closely related figures, whose origin story involves a traumatic event that transforms them into the celestial bodies. While specific details vary across different Inuit groups and regions (including those in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Russia), certain common elements persist.

A frequent narrative involves a chase resulting from incestuous desire or an act of violence. In one widespread version, the Sun and Moon are sister and brother. The brother, either consumed by passion or acting in anger, chases after his sister. She eventually escapes into the sky, becoming the Sun, and he follows, becoming the Moon. The soot on the Moon is sometimes explained as the residue from the woman's lamp, carried during her flight and extinguished when she became the Sun.

The constant chase is a key element, explaining the relationship between the Sun and the Moon and their never-ending journey across the sky. The phases of the moon are sometimes explained as the result of the Moon intermittently starving or wasting away during his unending pursuit. Eclipses are sometimes interpreted as a temporary catching of the Sun or Moon during the chase.

The myth emphasizes the potent forces of familial relationships, particularly the dangerous nature of unrestrained desire or anger. It also provides a cosmic explanation for fundamental aspects of the world: the origin of the sun and moon, their relative positions, and their cyclical movements. The Sun and Moon are not simply celestial bodies; they are embodiments of powerful emotions and consequences, shaped by a pivotal, often tragic, event in the distant past. Variations within the broader mythic framework reflect the diverse cultural interpretations and environmental experiences of different Inuit communities.