The “eclipse dragon” symbolizes a celestial dragon or serpent believed to obscure the sun and moon during eclipses. This mythical figure’s “head” and “tail” correspond to the two lunar nodes, offering a framework for explaining eclipses as well as incorporating them into astrological predictions. However, the origins of this concept and its transmission across Asia and Europe remain unclear. My project re-examines the reception of the eclipse dragon (jawzahr) in early Islamic sources by incorporating new sources and perspectives to better illustrate how this concept evolved through interactions between eastern and western traditions.
Ancient Greek astronomers primarily explained eclipses geometrically, without invoking mythical creatures. Some scholars trace the eclipse dragon’s roots to the North Indian figures Rāhu and Ketu, though their association with planetary eclipse theory remains ambiguous. Others suggest influences from Middle Persian, Manichaean, or Syriac sources. Expanding on existing research, my study explores jawzahr particularly in Persian sources, an under-examined area. By looking beyond strictly scientific material and sourcing poetry, folklore, and artistic works, I analyze diverse interpretations where metaphorical and geometric eclipse concepts coexist. This research highlights how eclipse terminology evolved into a unique cultural metaphor, resisting direct visual representation of an eclipse dragon in Islamic astronomy while inspiring esoteric and allegorical conceptions associated with it.