Name | Image | Mythology |
Aquarius | Water CarrierBabylonian Name. In Greek mythology, Aquarius (also known as Ganymede in Roman myth) was a beautiful young boy whom Zeus brought to Olympus to be the cup bearer of the Gods. It is suggested that Zeus fell in love with Aquarius. | |
Aries | Ram or Golden Fleece.In Greek mythology, the ram carried Athamas's son Phrixux and daughter Helle to Colchis to escape Ino. When the ram reached Colchis, Phrixux sacrificed the ram and hung its fleece in the Grove or Ares. This fleece turned to gold and later was the quest of Jason and the Argonauts. The constellation name was common in Greek, Babylonian and Egyptian cultures. | |
Cancer | CrabJuno sent a crab to defeat Hercules while fighting Hydra. The crab was crushed by Hercules. | |
Capricorn | Sea GoatAlso known as Amalthea who provided for baby Zeus after Rhea saved him from Cronos. The word "cornucopia" comes from the broken horn of Capricorn - or the "horn of plenty." | |
Gemini | Twin BrothersThe two bright stars - Castor and Pollux - are also the brothers' names. They were the brothers of Helen of Troy. They are also the protectors of ships and sailors. | |
Leo | LionPrehistoric constellation associated with royalty. In Egyptian mythology, it represents the life giving floods since the Sun was in this constellation during the heavy rains. In Greek mythology, Leo represents the Nemean Lion which was killed by Hercules. | |
Libra | ScalesThe only "non-living" object in the Zodiac. Romans chopped claws from Scorpio during Autumn Equinox to make Libra. In Greek mythology, Libra is the scaled held by Astraea that represents justice. | |
Ophiuchus | Serpent HolderWhile not an Astrological sign, Sun spends longer time here than in Scorpio. In Greek mythology, Ophiuchus is a legendary physician who tried to become immortal to avoid death. Zeus killed him with a bolt of lightening, but honored him because of good works. | |
Pisces | Two FishVenus and her son Cupid escaped Typhon as two fish tied together. In Greek mythology, they are Aphrodite and Eros. | |
Sagittarius | The ArcherA Chiron, half-man half-horse, sent to kill the scorpion (Scorpio). In Babylonian mythology, this represents the demon Pabilsaq. | |
Scorpio | The ScorpionSent by Gaia to kill Orion when he said he would kill all animals. It is also said that Apollo sent the scorpion to kill Orion. Orion and Scorpio are on opposite sides of the sky. | |
Taurus | The BullBabylonian constellation. Jupiter turns into bull to carry off Europa - daughter of King of Crete. It is also said that Zeus brought the ram to try and win the heart of Europa. | |
Virgo | The VirginGoddess of farms and harvest. Virgo could also represent Ishtar, Isis, Demeter, Cybele, and Athena. Also thought to represent Astraea, the daughter of Zeus representing justice. It is also suggested that Virgo represents Persephone, queen of the underworld. |
jueves, 22 de diciembre de 2011
How did the constellations get their names?
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