LIBULAN
Moon Deity
Moon Deity
PHILIPPINE FOLKLORE, PHILLIPINE MYTHOLOGY
by Kyle Francis Ubero
Get to know fun facts and trivias about the God of Moon
Libulan/Bulan: The Moon Deity
Libulan/Bulan holds an important place in Philippine mythology, particularly as the deity associated with the moon. This site delves into the understanding of Libulan/Bulan in the rich tapestry of Philippine folklore, exploring its origins, characteristics, and symbolism.
The love story of Sidapa and Bulan or Libulan, that resulted to insinuations that they are “queer” deities with Bulan or Libulan being tagged as “patron god of homosexuality” is nothing but a modern fabrication. The tale is a hoax peddled online as actual precolonial Philippine mythology and belief. There aren’t any old documents to prove that such a narrative is part of precolonial myths nor is the story featured in any oral tradition. The story is also borderline pedophilia.
(L-R) Licalibutan, Libulan, Lisuga, and Liadlaw
Libulan's patronage is observed by crossdressing babaylan men of the community, although they do feminine things (considered by during those days), like cook, sew, clean the house and carry palay and clean them, they can be considered as the first special segregated class of those ages (think celibacy of priests and vow of chastity of nuns) they are to be respected, and not be forced to marry, they are allowed to wear women's clothes and do womanly chores, and they are revered for their magic knowledge especially in healing and prophecies
Sketch artist: James/Squeegool
It was once said in one myth, a man who has been ostracized by the society due to being "useless" went to the top of a mountain and prayed to the god Libulan before leaping to his death, the deity took pity on him and saved the man from plunging to his death and taught him the tenets of his sacred mysteries. Libulan promised the man that as long as he follows his rituals and remain celibate (read: virgin) he will never lose his powers and everyone in the barangay will respect him.
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