It’s in the Stars
Human life is full of stories and legends, and we’ve gone as far as to write them down and share them orally. We have also attributed some of these stories to the very stars hovering in our skies. With that in mind, here are 5 of the coolest myths behind these beautiful starry shapes.
1. Orion
In Greek mythology, Orion was a giant and a skilled hunter of unparalleled beauty. Boastful of his talents, Orion declared that he could slay any beast on Earth, which incensed the gods. Zeus placed Orion among the stars after he died, and he can still be seen chasing the Pleiades across the sky.
2. Ursa Major
Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is one of the heroes of the legend of Callisto, a nymph of surpassing beauty who attracted Zeus' attention. Jealous, Hera, Zeus's wife, changed Callisto into a bear. Zeus, to protect her, placed her in the heavens as the Great Bear, forever circling the North Star.
3. Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia was a queen who thought she was more beautiful than the sea nymphs. Poseidon was offended, so he sent a sea monster to ravage her kingdom. As a warning against vanity, the gods set her in the sky on a throne so that at times she is upside down.
4. Ursa Minor
Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, is associated with Arcas, the son of Callisto. As he was about to attack his mother without knowing her true form, Zeus averted the tragedy by transforming him into a bear as well. He then placed mother and son close to one another in the sky as Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, so they would never be parted again.
5. Crux
Crux, also known as the Southern Cross, has many origins. For the ancient Greeks, the constellation was part of Centaurus until it sank below the horizon. Indigenous Australians associated the stars in Crux with a mighty eagle or the footprint of a great spirit.
