A blood moon happens during a lunar eclipse when all of Earth’s sunrises and sunsets give the Moon a reddish-brown color

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves through the Earth’s shadow while passing opposite the Sun. Despite being in full shadow, the Moon will remain lit, or glow, from all of Earth’s sunrises and sunsets. This glow will make the Moon look reddish-brown and is called a “blood” moon. 

A total lunar eclipse will create a blood moon overnight on March 13-14, 2025

Lunar Eclipse Folklore and Mythology

In Incan folklore, lunar eclipses were believed to be caused by a jaguar attacking and eating the Moon. Afraid it would attack Earth, they would try to scare away eclipses by making as much noise as possible.

Native American tribes, like the Hupa and Luiseño, believed that the moon was wounded and would try to heal it through singing and chanting. 

Learn more at https://theconversation.com/blood-moon-lunar-eclipse-myths-from-around-the-world-100548

In Greek mythology, lunar eclipses and the “red moon” were thought to be caused by witches who would use magic to get the goddess of the Moon, Selene, down from the sky to extract her blood. Villagers would beat cymbals and make noise to negate the witches’ power and return the goddess to the sky. 

Learn more at https://www.theoi.com/Titan/Selene.html#Witches