Mythological basis for the names of constellations. How did the names of the constellations come about?

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION UR

ON THE TOPIC: “Zodiac Constellations”

Performed :

Student of 11th grade "B"

Serebryakova M.A.

Checked:

Nikitina N.Yu.

Izhevsk, 2001

History of the names of the constellations................................................... ........................... 3

Aries................................................. ........................................................ ................ 3

Constellation Taurus................................................... .............................................. 4

Where are the twins in the sky from?................................................. ................................ 5

How cancer appeared in the sky................................................... .................................. 6

Is the lion in the sky scary?................................................ .................................... 7

Virgo................................................. ........................................................ ................. 8

Libra is the only "non-living" thing zodiac constellation........................... 10

Is the constellation really similar to Scorpio?.................................... 11

Who is the star archer aiming at?................................................. .................... 12

Where is the Capricorn galloping?................................................... ........................................ 13

Where does Aquarius pour water?.................................................. ................................... 15

Pisces closes the ring of zodiac constellations.................................................. 16

Bibliography................................................ ........................................... 17

HISTORY OF CONSTELLATION NAMES

The history of the constellations is very interesting. A very long time ago, sky observers united the brightest and most noticeable groups of stars into constellations and gave them various names. These were the names of various mythical heroes or animals, characters from legends and tales - Hercules, Centaurus, Taurus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Pegasus, etc. In the names of the constellations Peacock, Toucan, Indian, South. The Cross, Bird of Paradise reflected the Age of Discovery. There are a lot of constellations - 88. But not all of them are bright and noticeable. Most rich bright stars winter sky. At first glance, the names of many constellations seem strange. Often in the arrangement of stars it is very difficult or even simply impossible to discern what the name of the constellation indicates. The Big Dipper, for example, resembles a ladle; it is very difficult to imagine a Giraffe or Lynx in the sky. But if you look at ancient atlases starry sky, then the constellations are depicted in the form of animals.

0 – 30° ecliptic. Aries is considered the first in the zodiac, since at the time when Greek astronomy was created, the Sun entered this constellation during the spring equinox. The constellation is not particularly remarkable; it consists of stars of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th magnitudes. Main star Aries - Hamal - navigation star.

The cult of the sacrificial lamb (lamb) has passed through millennia. The symbol of a white meek, innocent creature, sacrificing itself to people for the sake of their good and atonement for their actions - this is the idea of ​​​​the hieroglyph of the constellation Aries.

The supreme god of Egypt, the sun god Amun-Ra, whose sacred animal was the ram, was often depicted with a ram's head, and his horns were bent so that he could not protect himself with them. On the additional horns of Aries the disk of the Sun shines - a symbol of cosmic wisdom.

CONSTELLATION TAURUS

In Egypt, the cult of the sacred bull (calf) Apis flourished for thousands of years. He personified strength, the power of reproduction. Therefore, images of Apis are a symbol of creative power.

Among the ancient peoples, the most important constellation was Taurus, since the new year began in the spring. In the zodiac, Taurus is the most ancient constellation, since cattle breeding played a role in the life of ancient peoples huge role, and the bull (Taurus) was associated with the constellation where the Sun seemed to conquer winter and herald the arrival of spring and summer. In general, many ancient peoples revered this animal and considered it sacred. IN Ancient Egypt was sacred bull Apis, who was worshiped during his lifetime and whose mummy was solemnly buried in a magnificent tomb. Every 25 years Apis was replaced with a new one. In Greece, the bull was also held in high esteem. In Crete the bull was called Minotaur. The heroes of Hellas Hercules, Theseus, Jason pacified the bulls. The constellation Aries was also highly revered in ancient times. The supreme god of Egypt, Amon-Ra, was depicted with a ram's head, and the road to his temple was an alley of sphinxes with ram's heads. It was believed that the constellation Aries was named after Aries with the Golden Fleece, after whom the Argonauts sailed. By the way, there are a number of constellations in the sky that reflect the Argo Ship. The alpha (brightest) star of this constellation is called Gamal (Arabic for "adult ram"). The most bright Star in the constellation Taurus is called Aldebaran.

WHERE ARE THE TWINS IN SKY FROM?

The names of the stars marking the heads of Gemini reflect the elements Greek mythology– Castor and Pollux are twin heroes, sons of Zeus and Leda, who accomplished a number of feats.

The Egyptians gave this constellation their own interpretation.

Depicted hieroglyphically standing woman, overshadowed by the star Pollux. The man walks opposite her. Press his head with the star Castor, left hand it is actively brought forward. The right hand is connected to the woman’s hand, which symbolically indicates the harmonious union of these two principles: female potential energy and male – realizing energy.

In this constellation, two bright stars are very close to each other. They received their name in honor of the Argonauts Dioscuri - Castor and Pollux - twins, sons of Zeus, the most powerful of the Olympian gods, and Leda, a frivolous earthly beauty, brothers of the beautiful Helen - the culprit Trojan War. Castor was famous as a skilled charioteer, and Pollux as an unsurpassed fist fighter. They took part in the Argonauts' campaign and the Calydonian hunt. But one day the Dioscuri did not share the spoils with their cousins, the giants Idas and Lynceus. In the battle with them, the brothers were severely wounded. And when Castor died, the immortal Pollux did not want to part with his brother and asked Zeus not to separate them. Since then, by the will of Zeus, the brothers spend six months in the kingdom of gloomy Hades, and six months on Olympus. There are periods when on the same day the star Castor is visible against the background of the morning dawn, and Pollux - in the evening. Perhaps it was precisely this circumstance that gave rise to the birth of the legend about the brothers living in kingdom of the dead, then in the sky. The Dioscuri brothers were considered in ancient times to be the patrons of sailors caught in a storm. And the appearance of “St. Elmo’s Fire” on the masts of ships before a thunderstorm was considered a visit to the Twins by their sister Elena. St. Elmo's lights are luminous discharges of atmospheric electricity observed on pointed objects (tops of masts, lightning rods, etc.). The Dioscuri were also revered as guardians of the state and patrons of hospitality. IN Ancient Rome A silver coin “Dioscuri” with the image of stars was in circulation.

HOW A CANCER WALKED IN THE SKY

90 – 120° ecliptic. A barely noticeable constellation: its brightest stars do not exceed 4th magnitude. The most modest of the zodiac constellations. The main star is Akubens. This constellation contains the Manger star cluster. The Tropic of Cancer is named after the constellation sign.

Over two thousand years ago, the summer solstice fell on this constellation. The sun, like a mother, poured light and warmth onto the Earth. Therefore, the constellation is associated with the name of the goddess Isis, who personifies the idea of ​​motherhood, eternal femininity and earthly wisdom. One of the attributes of the goddess is the Moon, and the constellation Cancer is dedicated to the Moon, and its symbol is depicted as a crab, resembling the moon in shape. Hieroglyphically, the constellation means wisdom, which manifests itself in selfless love.

IS THE LION SCARY IN THE SKY?

120 – 150° ecliptic. Occupies large area sky. Stars of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th magnitude. 1st magnitude star - Regulus, or Heart of Leo, blue, navigation star. Its luminosity is 150 times greater than the sun. In the “tail” of the constellation there is a 2nd magnitude star – Denebola.

Hieroglyphically, this constellation depicts a Leo - a symbol of courage and strength, supported by the serpent - a symbol of wisdom. Denebola is depicted as a meek maiden - a symbol of the highest wisdom. At the end of the serpent's tail is a falcon - a symbol of the god Horus. Above the back of the Lion, with a scroll in his hand - a symbol of secret knowledge, sits the god of knowledge Sioux, who helped the creator god Atum create the building of the world. The meaning of the hieroglyph comes down to the fact that at this stage of development a person reaches the full flowering of his spiritual and physical strength and strives for further improvement.

150 – 180° ecliptic. A large constellation of stars of 1st, 3rd, 4th magnitude. The 1st magnitude star is the bluish-white navigation star Spica, with 740 times the luminosity of the Sun. There is currently a point in the constellation autumn equinox.

Hieroglyphically, the Virgin is depicted here with an ear of bread in her hand - a symbol of the origin of life. She stands motionless, and this means that she is outside of time and space - eternal. One of the gods is depicted behind the Virgin underground kingdom- Anubis, in his left hand he holds the wand of was - a symbol of power, inviolability, in his right hand - an Egyptian cross - a symbol of life. Anubis symbolizes the idea of ​​death as a transitory phenomenon and subordinate to life, so he follows Virgo and is smaller in size. General meaning hieroglyph - a person learns the idea of ​​Life and Death, their Unity.

LIBRA IS THE ONLY "NON-LIVING" ZODIAC CONSTELLATION

180 – 210° ecliptic. A small constellation with stars of the 3rd and 4th magnitudes. Libra is a double star, the Arabs called it Zuben Elgenubi - Southern Libra and Zuben El Hamali - Northern Libra. More than two thousand years ago, the Sun was in this constellation during the spring equinox, hence the emergence of a sign that “balances day with night and work with rest.”

Hieroglyphically, the sign means the next stage in development. Sagittarius - half-animal, half-man, having defeated Scorpio (sensuality), turns into thinking man who must think about his actions and be responsible for them; then the scales will be in balance, and the person will begin to be in harmony.

Indeed, it seems strange that among the animals and “semi-animals” in the Zodiac there is the sign of Libra. Over two thousand years ago, the autumnal equinox was located in this constellation. The equality of day and night could be one of the reasons why the zodiac constellation received the name “Libra”. The appearance of Libra in the sky in the middle latitudes indicated that the time for sowing had come, and the ancient Egyptians, already at the end of spring, could consider this as a signal to begin harvesting the first harvest. Scales - a symbol of balance - could simply remind ancient farmers of the need to weigh the harvest. Among the ancient Greeks, Astraea, the goddess of justice, weighed the destinies of people with the help of Libra. One of the myths explains the appearance of the zodiac constellation Libra as

IS THE CONSTELLATION REALLY LIKE SCORPIO?

210 – 240° ecliptic. A large constellation with a very beautiful grouping of stars of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th magnitudes. The heart of Scorpio is a reddish-orange star of 1st magnitude - Antares - one of the most beautiful stars in our sky. Navigation star. The curved “tail” of the constellation with a “sting” is marked by two stars of the 2nd magnitude.

Hieroglyphically, Scorpio represents the sensuality that Sagittarius must overcome in order to move further along the path of inner growth and improvement.

Not only because of its external similarity, this constellation was assigned the role of a poisonous creature. The sun entered this area of ​​the sky in late autumn, when all nature seemed to be dying, to be reborn again, like the god Dionysus, in early spring next year. The sun was considered to have been "stung" by some

WHO IS THE STAR SAGITTARIUS AIMING AT?

240 – 270° ecliptic. A large constellation of stars of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and two stars of 2nd magnitude. Lies in an area rich in star clusters and nebulae. The main star is called Alrami. Nowadays the winter solstice point is located in the constellation.

By ancient greek mythology The wisest of the centaurs, Chiron, the son of the god Chronos and the goddess Themis, created the first model of the celestial sphere. At the same time, he reserved one place in the Zodiac for himself. But he was ahead of him by the insidious centaur Krotos, who took his place by deception and became the constellation Sagittarius. And after his death, the god Zeus turned Chiron himself into the constellation Centaur. That's how two centaurs ended up in the sky. Even Scorpio himself is afraid of the evil Sagittarius, at whom he aims with a bow. Sometimes you can find an image of Sagittarius in the form of a centaur with two faces: one facing backward, the other forward. In this way he resembles the Roman god Janus. The first month of the year, January, is associated with the name Janus. And the Sun is in Sagittarius in winter. Thus, the constellation seems to symbolize the end of the old and the beginning of the new year, with one of its faces looking into the past, and the other into the future. In the direction of the constellation Sagittarius is the center of our Galaxy. If you look at a star map, the Milky Way also passes through the constellation Sagittarius. Like Scorpio, Sagittarius is very rich in beautiful nebulae. Perhaps this constellation, more than any other, deserves the name “celestial treasury.” Many star clusters and the nebulae are strikingly beautiful.

WHERE WILL CAPRICORN GO?

The hieroglyph for Capricorn means that as a result of evolution, the Fish turns half into an animal, retaining only part of the body as a fish. Above Capricorn is the god Horus, in right hand he has ankh, in his left vas. He patronizes Capricorn and its further development. Horus, according to the ancient Egyptians, was a benefactor god who was in an eternal struggle with the god Seth, the personification of evil.

Capricorn is a mythical creature with the body of a goat and the tail of a fish. According to the most common ancient Greek legend The goat-footed god Pan, son of Hermes, patron of shepherds, was frightened by the hundred-headed giant Typhon and threw himself into the water in horror. From then on he became a water god and grew a fish tail. Transformed into a constellation by the god Zeus, Capricorn became the ruler of the waters and the harbinger of storms. It was believed that he sent abundant rains to the earth. According to another legend, this is the goat Amalthea, who fed Zeus with her milk. The Indians called this constellation Makara, i.e. a miracle dragon, also half goat, half fish. Some peoples depicted him as a half-crocodile - half-bird. Similar ideas existed in South America. When the Sun entered the constellation Capricorn, the Indians celebrated New Year, wearing masks depicting goat heads for ceremonial dances. But the indigenous Australians called the constellation Capricorn the constellation Kangaroo, which celestial hunters are chasing in order to kill it and roast it on a big fire. Many ancient peoples revered the goat as a sacred animal, and services were held in honor of the goat. People dressed in sacred clothes made of goat skins and brought a gift to the gods - a sacrificial goat. It is with such customs and with this constellation that the idea of ​​the “scapegoat” - Azazel - is associated. Azazel - (scapegoat) - the name of one of the goat-shaped gods, demons of the desert. On the so-called day of scapegoating, two goats were selected: one for sacrifice, the other for release into the desert. Of the two goats, the priests chose which one would be for God and which one would be for Azazel. First, a sacrifice was made to God, and then another goat was brought to the high priest, on which he laid his hands and thereby, as it were, transferred to him all the sins of the people. And after that the goat was released into the desert. The desert was a symbol of the underworld and a natural place for sins. The constellation Capricorn is located in the lower part of the ecliptic. Perhaps this gave rise to the idea of ​​the underworld. About 2 thousand years ago, the winter solstice point was located in the constellation Capricorn. The ancient philosopher Macrobius believed that the Sun, having passed the lowest point, begins to climb upward, like a mountain goat striving for the top.

WHERE DOES AQUARIUS POUR WATER?

300 – 330° ecliptic. A large and complex constellation. Consists only of stars of the 3rd, 4th, 5th magnitudes. Almost entirely lies in the southern hemisphere. It contains a beautiful planetary nebula.

The zodiac constellation hieroglyphically shows that Pisces, having begun the path of its development, is subjected to various trials and sufferings. This is depicted in the form of fiery streams pouring onto her from two vessels, the symbolism of which is testing and encouragement.

PISCES CLOSES THE RING OF THE ZODIAC CONSTELLATIONS

330 – 360° ecliptic. Large zodiacal constellation of stars of the 4th and 5th magnitudes. It lies almost entirely in the northern hemisphere of the sky. The main star of Pisces is the beautiful double star El-Risha. Now in the constellation there is the point of the vernal equinox.

The very arrangement of the stars in the sky suggests the idea of ​​two fish tied together with a ribbon or rope. The origin of the name of the constellation Pisces is very ancient and, apparently, is associated with Phoenician mythology. The Sun entered this constellation just in time for the rich fishing. The goddess of fertility was depicted as a woman with a fish tail, which, as legend has it, appeared when she and her son, frightened by a monster, threw themselves into the water. A similar legend existed among the ancient Greeks. Only they believed that Aphrodite and her son Eros had turned into fish: they walked along the river bank, but frightened by the evil Typhon, they threw themselves into the water and were saved by turning into fish. Aphrodite became the southern Pisces, and Eros became the northern Pisces.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Siegel F.Yu. Treasures of the Starry Sky: A Guide to the Constellations and the Moon. - M.: Nauka, 1980. - 312 p.

2. I explore the world: Det. Encycl.: Space / Author. - comp. T.I. Gontaruk. - M.: 1995. - 448 p.

The names of constellations and stars that are located in the northern part of the sky are directly related to myths Ancient Greece. Today, a lot of things have changed in the meaning and content of myths, but in this case these facts do not matter, since the importance of the main characters has remained, whose names have become the names of groups of celestial bodies.

Ursa Major and Ursa Minor

Constellation Ursa Major Johann Bayer "Uranometry" 1603

Sailors of ancient times, sailing in the northern parts of the planet, where many polar bears live, focused their attention on the northern constellations and gave them names - Ursa Minor and Ursa Major.

Also included in these objects was the myth of the beautiful Callisto. She was the lover of the almighty Zeus himself. This event greatly upset the legitimate wife of Zeus - she turned the nymph Callisto into a Ursa. The saddened Bear was on the verge of death at the hands of her own son Arcas (also the son of Zeus), whom she encountered while hunting. Zeus himself saved from murder. He gave her eternal life as a constellation in the sky (Ursa Major). Her son Arkas and his dog were also sent to heaven. Arkas accepted the role of his mother's eternal guardian. Zeus turned him into the constellation Bootes (the bear guard or shepherd), and his dog into the constellation Ursa Minor s.

There is another version about this legend and the origin of the names of the constellations. Indians South America in the silhouette of “our” Ursa Minor we saw a monkey, which grabbed the star with its tail and spun around it. Kazakhs of antiquity connected Maly and Big Dipper into a single whole, seeing there a horse connected with an “iron nail”, i.e. North Star. They gave the name “Temir-Kazyk”.

Other constellations

The name of the constellation Cassiopeia is associated with the name of the Queen of Ethiopia. Cassiopeia's husband Cepheus is also not forgotten; between Ursa Minor and Cassiopeia there is a group of stars named in his honor. The constellations Cygnus, Lyra and Eagle, which include the brightest stars such as Deneb, Vega, Altair, create a summer-autumn triangle in our sky, which does not fit in with any legend or myth. The singer Orpheus is depicted in the Swan, whose singing touched the hearts of not only people, but also wild animals.

The eagle depicts the bird that fulfilled Zeus’s order to peck the liver of Prometheus, who betrayed all the gods and gave fire to people. Hercules (Hercules) freed Prometheus from torment by killing the Eagle. Another constellation, the Dragon, also reminds us of the achievements of Hercules. This Dragon guarded the garden where beautiful golden apples grew. Hercules fought the Dragon and won.

The names of many other groups of celestial bodies also have in common with the names of brave men and heroes of various myths. This is the giant hunter Orion. Close to Orion are his dogs – Canis Minor and Canis Major. The constellations Auriga, Taurus and Gemini are adjacent. In one of the myths, Taurus is a bull, with whom Orion, well equipped with weapons, fights. According to other myths, Taurus is chasing the Pleiades, daughters of the titan Atlas.

From one legend, the constellation Auriga is associated with the mythical charioteer. According to other versions, this is the chariot of the son of the Sun god - Photon. In honor of the goat that fed Zeus with its milk, the star of Auriga was named Capella. Gemini is the personification brotherly love between the glorious and courageous sons of Zeus.

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