Bright stars in the sky form characteristic shapes. Such clusters are called constellations. People always look at stars for a long time, trying to unravel the mystery of their cosmic origin. They want to find among the constellations those that they once read or heard about. Twelve of the celestial figures are constellations of the zodiac signs. Each of them is associated with legends telling about its discovery and explaining its name. What are these zodiac signs?
Constellations of the zodiac signs in the sky
The zodiac is a certain belt of the sky along which some planets, the moon and the sun, pass by 12 constellations. Since they are located in the zodiacal field, they got their name - the zodiac constellations. Each of them in ancient astrology was designated or accompanied by a certain symbol called the zodiac sign. Here is such a simple story as the constellations of the zodiac signs appeared.
How many are there
The sun for a year goes around a large circle of the celestial sphere. This circle (called the zodiac, only 360 degrees) is divided into 12 sectors of 30 degrees, named after the constellations that pass the Sun on its way.
Each month corresponds to that zodiac sign by which the sun makes its movement in this month. Once upon a time, the constellations of the zodiac signs served people as a calendar, since in each of them the Sun traveled for about a month. But since the point of the vernal equinox is constantly moving (by 70 ° at 70 years old), the Sun these days moves not one at a time, but along two adjacent constellations, but the designations that existed earlier for the months have been preserved. According to the constellation Virgo, the Sun moves for the longest time - 44 days, and the constellation Scorpio Sun passes in 6 days. In fairness, it should be noted that the Sun between November 30 and December 18 passes another cluster of stars - Ophiuchus, but so historically it happened that he did not get a month, and he was not included in the constellations of the zodiac signs.
Origin of names
To each constellation of zodiac signs, people have come up with their own name. According to one version, the origin of the names of the zodiac signs correspond to the deeds of Hercules. Other versions are based on the ancient Greek myths about the gods of Olympus. Each name and sign has its own legend. It is interesting that, despite the ancient Greek origin, all the names of the zodiac signs were written in Latin from ancient times.
To date, astrologers call the 12 signs of the zodiac, united by 4 elements:
- Earth - Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo;
- water - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces;
- fire - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius;
- Air - Libra, Aquarius, Gemini.
According to mystical doctrine, the signs of the zodiac — constellations in the sky — endow people born under them (i.e., in the month when the sun passes a certain constellation) certain character traits.
Aries constellation
The first spring months - March and April (March 21 - April 20) - correspond to the zodiac sign Aries. Aries constellation consists of 20 stars. Mesartim, Sharatan, Gamal - these are the three brightest stars of Aries. About 2000 years ago, the place of the vernal equinox was in Aries. According to astronomers, she will not return here soon, but after a long 24,000 years.
One myth tells how Aries rescues Frix and Gella, two children who, at the behest of the evil stepmother Ino, should be sacrificed. The fate of the children was different, but the memory of the golden-lamb lamb was forever preserved by the starry sky.
Constellation taurus
Taurus (April 21 - May 21) is a very noticeable constellation, an attentive observer will see up to 130 of his stars, 14 of them are seen especially clearly. The brightest ones are Aldebaran, Nat and the star of Alcyone and Zeta Taurus. In this constellation is the point of summer solstice.
According to one of the legends, Taurus is identified with Zeus. He took this image to kidnap Europe - the daughter of the Phoenician king.
Twins
In the constellation of Gemini, you can see about 70 stars, two of which - Castor and Pollux - are the brightest. The immense brotherly love of Castor and Pollux, about which ancient Greek myths tell, prompted people to find two shining stars in the sky and call them Gemini. The sign corresponds to May and June (May 22 - June 21).
Cancer Constellation
The summer months - June and July (June 22 - July 23) - correspond to the zodiac sign Cancer. The Cancer constellation is very large and at the same time the weakest, it is lost against the background of its bright neighbors-brothers Leo and Gemini. In good weather at night, you can see about 60 stars of the constellation without telescopic instruments. The brightest is Altarf or Beta Cancer.
The legend appears in the sky of this constellation with the name of the irreconcilable rival Heracles Hera, it was she who lifted the sea monster there, which bit Heracles during the battle with Hydra. Although, according to legend, it was not cancer, but crab, astronomers liked the first name more.
Leo constellation
According to the constellation Leo (July, August), another zodiac sign is named. The constellation Leo is the brightest in the zodiac family. His biggest star is called Regulus, which means king. The constellation is also interesting because in November, once every 33 years, you can see in it stellar showers of meteor shower.
The mythological Nemean lion (which is associated with the appearance of the constellation), born of the half-female half-snake Echidna, was able to defeat the illegitimate son of Zeus Heracles. And the great thunderer immortalized the victory of his son, lifting the defeated monster to heaven.
Constellation virgo
Virgo is a large cluster of stars in the zodiac, 164 of its stars are visible without a telescope and a telescope. The brightest is Spica. In our era in the constellation Virgo is the point of the autumnal equinox. The zodiac sign corresponds to August and September.
Numerous legends connect Virgo with either Rhea, the mother of Zeus, or Themis, or Gaia, the mother earth.
Constellation Libra
Libra - the months of September and October. Once the constituent stars were part of the constellation Scorpio, but, moving away, subsequently formed a new constellation. The origin of the constellation is associated with the daughter of Zeus Astrea, who, without getting tired, walked the earth, evaluating the unjust and fair affairs of people with the help of scales.
It consists of 83 stars, the brightest of which are Zuben El Shemali and Zuben El Genubi.
Scorpio
Among the signs of the zodiac, Scorpio found its place. This southern zodiac constellation is one of the brightest in the sky, it has 17 stars, the brightest of which is Antares.
According to myths, Scorpio, mortally stinging the young hunter Orion, settled forever in heaven with him. This zodiac sign corresponds to October and November.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius (months of November and December) - the brightest cluster of stars. Before the observer's attentive gaze, 115 constellation stars will appear, of which 14 stars are very bright, Alnazl, Albaldah, Kaus Borealis, Kaus Meridianalis, Askella, Nunki and Kaus Australis hold the championship.
This is a very interesting part of the sky. There are three nebulae, the center of the galaxy and a supermassive black hole. The constellation Sagittarius is the point of winter solstice.
Sagittarius is the image of a powerful mythological centaur, eternally rushing through the sky.
Capricorn
The zodiac sign Capricorn corresponds to December and January. Without telescopic equipment, 86 stars of this cluster can be seen. Beta Capricorn is the brightest of all.
There are many legends about this constellation. In ancient Greek mythology, it is said that Capricorn was the son of Hermes. Frightened by the one-headed Titan, he threw himself into the sea. After which his appearance changed greatly, he turned into a goat with a fish tail. The gods were amazed at the sight of the monster and took him to heaven.
Aquarius
Aquarius (the months of January and February) is another large cluster of stars on the solar path, seven stars in it are the brightest. Aquarius is clearly visible at night from August to October. Closer to the second half of summer, active meteor showers can be observed in the constellation. Aquarius is also famous for the fact that it contains the huge and closest to the Earth the Nebula Snail. The name of the constellation according to ancient legends means "master of the waters."
Fish
The constellation of the zodiac sign Pisces corresponds to February and March. The largest star in the constellation is Alrisha. The cluster has 75 visible stars. This is the vernal equinox.
According to mythological traditions, fish are the lovers of Akid and Galatea. Pursued by Cyclops Polyphemus, who was in love with Galatea, they, in order not to part, rushed into the deep sea and were swallowed by it. The gods brought the lovers to heaven and gave them eternal life in the constellation Pisces.