Long before the advent of contemporary meteorology, early civilizations crafted their own interpretations of weather phenomena. Many of these narratives were steeped in the fantastic, featuring deities, monsters, and spirits that purportedly influenced natural elements. In this exploration, we will delve into some of these ancient stories while also presenting the scientific understanding that underpins them. The combination of weather and mythology leads us to what we might call weather-ology!
Rain remains one of the most fundamental aspects of our climate, crucial for survival, regardless of our scientific advancements. An insufficient amount can hinder agriculture, while excessive rain can lead to devastating floods that threaten human settlements. As a result, many ancient societies dedicated significant efforts to appeasing various rain gods.
In ancient China, the belief that dragons governed the weather, particularly rainfall, was prevalent. One prominent dragon, Yinglong, also known as the Responding Dragon, was closely linked to water and rain. Generally, Yinglong would provide the right amount of rain necessary for the land; however, he was also known to unleash floods or withdraw rain based on the people’s respect towards him. His moniker, the Responding Dragon, suggests that he would answer the cries of the people requesting more or less rain with compassion. Additionally, he was credited with shaping riverbeds with his tail, thus providing humanity with reservoirs to collect rainfall.
Traditional rain rituals in China often involved crafting a clay figure of a dragon as a tribute to Yinglong, and dragons continue to symbolize a rich facet of Chinese culture today. The lively dragon dance, a highlight during Chinese New Year festivities, has its roots in these ancient rain ceremonies and reflects the respect once held for dragons, believed to have dominion over nature.
Now, it is well-understood that rain is a result of the water cycle. Water resides in oceans, rivers, and lakes, as well as in the living organisms that constitute our planet. This water evaporates into the atmosphere, propelled by rising air currents, forming tiny droplets of water vapors. As they ascend, cooler temperatures prompt these vapors to condense into clouds. As these clouds accumulate, water droplets merge, becoming heavier until they descend once more to the Earth as rain (or potentially as snow or hail). This precipitation can either nourish soil, sustaining plant life, or flow into streams, ultimately replenishing rivers and lakes, before returning to the ocean to initiate the cycle anew.
In ancient times, however, the mechanisms dictating rainfall were enigmatic. Limitations in understanding drove people to explain these uncertainties through myth, channeling their fears and hopes into stories of deities capable of controlling the skies.
