16th Century Germany's Celestial Anomalies: Portents of the Apocalypse
2025-01-01
16th-century Germany witnessed a flurry of bizarre celestial events: bloody rays bisecting the sun, extraterrestrial battles in the sky, and meteor showers. These 'wonder-signs' (Wunderzeichen) were meticulously documented in woodcuts, pamphlets, astronomical texts, and personal diaries. Widely interpreted as omens of the apocalypse, these phenomena were fueled by the anxieties of the Reformation. The article explores the methods of recording these events, their societal impact, and their connection to religious reform, highlighting the crucial role of printing technology in disseminating these 'prophecies'.