A Better Way to Scare a Sea Serpent

Apparently all you need is a few engineers and hundreds of upside-down, screaming tourists.

My husband read me an article over coffee this morning.

Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey is building a new roller coaster called Bakunawa. It will be 382 feet tall, reach speeds of 100 miles per hour, launch riders upside down, and apparently break six world records.

I was tired before he finished reading the statistics.

The name comes from Philippine mythology. Bakunawa is a giant sea serpent said to swallow the moon, causing eclipses.

The traditional solution was surprisingly straightforward.

When the moon disappeared, the villagers would run outside and make as much noise as possible—beating pots and pans, banging drums, shouting, and generally behaving like people who had decided the best way to solve a cosmic problem was to become even more annoying than the serpent.

According to legend, it worked. The serpent eventually gave up and spit the moon back out.

Then I saw the promotional video for the roller coaster.

I don't think the villagers were trying hard enough.

This thing launches people upside down before accelerating to 100 miles an hour. The riders are suspended beneath the track. The seats spin. Everyone is screaming. The coaster is roaring.

If that doesn't convince a mythical sea serpent to give the moon back, nothing will. In fact, I suspect Bakunawa wouldn't simply release the moon. It would apologize for taking it in the first place. There's only so much noise one creature should be expected to tolerate.

The villagers had pots and pans. Six Flags has engineers and hundreds of upside-down people screaming at 100 miles an hour.

I'd give the moon back too.

If you're curious about the original Philippine legend, I found a children's book called Bulan and the Bakunawa: The Moon-Eating Dragon that tells the story beautifully. (Affiliate link.)

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