Discover these celestial treasures

Do you know what the phrase "once in a blue moon" means?

Image: Vincentiu Solomon

The night sky has fascinated humankind since the dawn of time. Think about all the constellations, stories, and myths that revolve around the stars above. Our species has always looked to the sky in wonder, gazing in awe at the thousands upon thousands of stars, planets, and comets that can be regularly seen. In that sense, it seems only logical that something so profoundly significant would influence the way we communicate with one another. With that in mind, we have selected 10 of our favorite astronomy-related idioms, hoping to convey some of the wonder the sky has to offer. Enjoy!

Image: Denis Degioanni

As we mentioned, the stars above have been a source of wonder for humankind throughout history, so it stands to reason that we would associate something as magical as our luck with them. The phrase "thank your lucky stars" is fairly self-explanatory: it is used to express gratitude to something greater than ourselves for our good fortune, especially when we narrowly avoid a bad situation.

Image: haylee booth

Have you ever seen a blue moon? Probably not, considering how rarely our beloved satellite takes on a bluish tint. It is precisely this rare occurrence that gives the idiom its meaning: "Once in a blue moon" describes something that happens only on rare occasions. For instance, you might see your in-laws or a distant relative once in a blue moon. This idiom originated in 19th-century England, where the idea of seeing a blue moon was considered borderline absurd.

Image: Jacob Spence

In ancient times, constellations told stories. These distant dots in the sky wove tales of legendary heroes, fearsome monsters, and thrilling adventures. Many of those stories have endured to this day. Some of us routinely check our horoscopes to see what the stars reveal about our future. In that sense, the idiom "written in the stars" describes an event that seems destined to happen. It conveys the idea that whatever is written in the stars—whether good or bad—is inevitable.

Image: Klemen Vrankar

When it comes to setting goals, what could be higher than the sky itself? The phrase "shoot for the stars" is deeply inspirational—it means to set ambitious goals in order to reach our highest potential. Interestingly, this idiom is similar to another sky-related phrase that is also known for its motivational message: "The sky is the limit."

Image: Sanni Sahil

Have you ever felt so incredibly happy that it seemed like your feet were lifting off the ground? The idiom "over the moon" captures a similar sensation—though it takes things a bit farther. It describes an intense feeling of joy or excitement. While the exact origins of this phrase are unknown, many believe it stems from exaggerating the small, joyful jumps one might make when feeling ecstatic.

Image: Serafin Reyna

Space seems like the perfect place to drift off and think about nothing, doesn’t it? Granted, we’ve never been to outer space, but its vastness feels ideal for those who want to clear their minds. Anyway, where were we? Sorry, we spaced out—after all, this idiom describes someone who loses focus and stops noticing what’s happening around them. It gained particular popularity in the 1960s, during the height of the space race.

Image: Alex Shuper

Similar to "space out," someone who is "living on another planet" is completely oblivious to the events around them or out of touch with reality. For instance, a person unaware of recent news or misinformed about current events might be described this way. Now, whether being the recipient of this phrase instantly turns you into an extraterrestrial is something we can neither confirm nor deny at this moment.

Image: Shot by Cerqueira

Like a blazing meteorite crashing to Earth, something that is "out of this world" is simply extraordinary. For instance, an "out of this world" meal is one of superb quality. This idiom first appeared in the 20th century and stems from our long-standing fascination with outer space—after all, anything beyond our planet must be remarkable since it defies our understanding.

Image: NASA

Let’s say you’re working on an assignment, but your friend is spacing out and not doing their share of the work—it’s now your job to get them to focus. Continuing with this metaphor, your friend might be drifting aimlessly through outer space, while you’re tasked with bringing them back to reality. In that sense, the phrase "bring someone down to Earth" means to make someone face reality, even if it involves revealing some hard truths along the way.

Image: Vivek Doshi

You’ve probably noticed that most of the idioms in this article refer to things visible in the night sky, so why not conclude by honoring the most important celestial body in our solar system? The phrase "everything under the sun" is used to refer to, well, everything—or at least everything found on our planet. Interestingly, this does leave out countless stars and galaxies, but the phrase’s meaning remains too powerful to ignore.

WILD HOLIDAYS

10 Crazy Festivals From Around The World You Have To See To Believe

Image: Adam Whitlock

When it comes to something universally loved worldwide, coming together to celebrate things is undoubtedly one of them. Anniversaries, popular traditions, and historical and religious events are an important part of human culture. Some places, however, take festivities to new heights, pushing the boundaries of social norms with crazy festivals and dangerous traditions.

From ancient traditions to modern-day spectacles, these 10 festivals offer a glimpse into the wonderfully weird tapestry of human culture. Get ready to expand your horizons and maybe even add a few new destinations to your bucket list!

Image: Graham McLellan, CC BY 2.0

Location: Buñol, Spain

For one day in August, the small town of Buñol in Spain becomes ground zero for the world's largest tomato fight. Thousands of participants hurl overripe tomatoes at each other in a messy, yet strangely cathartic, display of pure fun. The tradition originated in the 40s after a spontaneous tomato fight erupted during an unrelated festivity, and after that, it became so popular that everyone in town started to join in.

Image: Jirka Matousek, CC BY 2.0

Location: Boryeong, South Korea

Every summer, the sleepy coastal town of Boryeong in South Korea transforms into a mud-soaked playground during the Boryeong Mud Festival. What started as a promotional event for the town's mineral-rich mud skincare products has evolved into a massive celebration featuring mud pools, mudslides, and even mud skiing competitions.

Image: Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0

Location: Thailand

During Songkran—known as the Thai New Year—all Thailand engages in a country-wide water fight. Locals and tourists take to the streets armed with hoses and buckets, ready to douse each other with water in a symbolic cleansing ritual. Originating as a celebration of harvest and springtime, people traditionally throw water on images of Buddha or statues in Buddhist temples.

Image: Tara Raye

Location: Castrillo de Murcia, Spain

In the village of Castrillo de Murcia in Spain, an unusual tradition takes place during the week-long festivities of Corpus Christi, a strange ritual known as El Colacho in Spanish, or "Baby Jumping". As part of the ritual, men dressed as devils jump over rows of babies born in the past year that lie on mattresses in the street. The tradition is believed to cleanse them of sin and protect them from evil spirits.

Image: Vfbia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Location: Ivrea, Italy

In a similar fashion to the Spanish Tomatina, the Carnival of Ivrea includes a traditional orange battle, where organized teams fight each other by throwing oranges. However, the festivity goes back to medieval times, as it commemorates the city’s successful rebellion against a local tyrant. The Carnival lasts three whole days, during which the orange battle rages on while various other minor traditions are held.

Image: Bry Ulrick

Location: Nevada, U.S.A.

Burning Man isn't just a festival—it's a temporary city built in the heart of the Nevada desert for one week each summer. This experimental community celebrates radical self-expression, art, and communal living, culminating in the ritual burning of a massive wooden effigy known as "The Man." Festival goers are encouraged to clean after themselves and embrace principles of inclusion and responsibility.

Image: San Fermin Pamplona - Navarra

Location: Pamplona, Spain

Each year in July, the Spanish city of Pamplona hosts the infamous Running of the Bulls during the Saint Fermin festival. Brave—or foolhardy—participants run alongside a herd of charging bulls through the narrow streets of the city in a thrilling display of adrenaline-fueled madness. Despite its inherent dangers (as one would expect, injuries are common), it's a tradition that dates back centuries and continues to attract thrill-seekers from around the world.

Image: Dave Farrance, CC BY-SA 3.0

Location: Gloucestershire, England

In the tiny English village of Brockworth, Gloucestershire, an age-old tradition known as the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake takes place each spring. Participants launch themselves down a steep hill in pursuit of a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese, risking life and limb for the chance to be named the winner. Recently, the quirky event gained worldwide recognition, with participants coming from all over the world for a chance to catch the elusive cheese.

Image: Sime Basioli

Location: Looe Key Reef, United States

Ever dreamed of joining an underwater orchestra playing catchy old-time tunes? If that’s the case, then you definitely should go check out the Underwater Music Festival that takes place annually in the Florida Keys. This underwater spectacle features musicians playing specially designed instruments while submerged in the crystal-clear waters of Looe Key Reef, creating a one-of-a-kind sensory experience that blurs the line between art and nature.

Image: U.S. Air Force photo/Cortney Paxton

Location: Sonkajärvi, Finland

First introduced at Sonkajärvi, Finland, the Wife-Carrying Contest is exactly what you would expect from its name: male contestants race through an obstacle course while carrying their female partners on their backs. While the precise origin of this weird practice is not clear, today it’s considered sort of a joke sport—though competitors tend to take it very seriously—with the winners taking home the wife’s weight in beer.