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.