How Humans Perceived Lightning Throughout Time

Lightning is well-documented in both theology and history, leaving humans in awe of its strike.

By Jonathan Shipley
May 23, 2022 6:00 PMMay 24, 2022 1:28 PM
Lightning
(Credit: Triff/Shutterstock)

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Imbalances between storm clouds and the ground, or within the clouds themselves, causes lightning, an electrical discharge. There are many types of lighting: ball and bead, forked and sheet, superbolts and rocket lightning, crown flashes and anvil crawlers, staccato lightning, ribbon lightning and others.

The wonder of lightning has captivated and intrigued humans throughout history, often sparking theological and mythological interpretations. These interpretations occurred long before science could answer some of the questions that kept humans in awe. Most might have wondered, if a God didn’t produce thunderstorms, then what did?

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