Based on my knowledge of other ancient religious iconography that is certainly, or *almost* certainly, inspired by total solar eclipses, I think that the Chinese taotie "monster" probably was inspired by total solar eclipses witnessed by ancient Chinese civilizations such as the Shang Dynasty. Here is part of a Facebook message that I just shared with an American archaeologist who is interested in how eclipses influenced ancient religious beliefs -
I have reasonable grounds to believe that the taotie is quite probably an ancient Chinese representation of the sun god as inspired/informed by total solar eclipse phenomena. It compares very favorably with Mayan and Aztec religious iconography that is all but conclusively TSE inspired AFAIAC. The taotie is a dragon/phoenix eclipse monster winged sun symbol thingy in my informed opinion.
Should have wangled that theory into a trip to China. . .
Here's an update from our Facebook "chat" -
:The concept of the moon devouring the sun could fit this icon.
Exactly. I take note of - It is said that the monster was extremely greedy of eating and would eat anything within its sight. It even ate its own body. So, the image of the taotie is just a big head and a big mouth without body. The taotie ate too much and died as a result.
The Chinese word for eclipse means "eat". The parallels between this description of the taotie and the Hindu god Rahu who is an acknowledged eclipse demon/monster are striking. . .
UUA presidential candidate Rev. Peter Morales' negative election campaign rhetoric labeling Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and any number of other "old religions" as "obsolete religions, created for another time" is just a tad problematic. . .
Scott Dunbar One Man Band singing Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' in front of the Mont-Royal Metro station in Montreal. I shot this video in HD on my Nikon D90 a few weeks ago.
I like them
Jun 30, 3:03pm
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