Signs of the zodiac: designations and mythological roots of symbolism

For a long time the zodiacal circle has various designations for each sign. How do the symbols of the zodiac signs look like, we will present below, but at the same time we will also consider the prerequisites for the formation of such a notation system.

As you know, all the signs of the zodiac in classical Western astrology, like in its Vedic predecessor, twelve. They are symbolized either by animals or by mythical characters. Not everyone knows, but such signs of the zodiac signs in astrology are not accidental. To each of them corresponds a certain legend, which connects the heroes of folk tales with those or other constellations. For people of Western culture, this connection is set and determined by Greco-Roman mythology. It is based on the classical designation of the signs of the zodiac.

Aries

The first sign is Aries. Also he is called a sheep. According to legend, during his lifetime, it was a zlatororny ram, which Hermes gave to the pious woman Nephele. The latter was the wife of the foolish king Amamant, until he abandoned her for the sake of a new lover named Ino, an insidious woman with a jealous heart and a cruel temper. Ino hated the two children of Afamant - Frix and Gell, whom he had from Nephela, and tried in every possible way to get rid of them. Eventually, during the crop failure and famine, with the help of intrigues and bribery, she was able to convince the king that the gods would have mercy and save the country from death if he brought his offspring to the sacrifice. The trusting king ordered the altar to be prepared for sacrifice, which Nephela recognized and, of course, decided to save her children. To do this, she asked the very zlatornom ram to send them to a safe place, which he did. Along the way, however, Gella fell into the sea and drowned, and the ungrateful Phryx, having reached a safe haven, killed the ram, sacrificing it to Zeus. The father of all the gods accepted him and, for his courage, granted him a place in heaven. The sign denoting this constellation is the following symbol: "♈".

Taurus

The next sign is Taurus. This sign is the image of Zeus himself, who took the form of a beautiful bull to charm the young Europe - the most beautiful daughter of the Phoenician king. Carrying her on his back to Crete, he made her his mistress. From this connection, they had three children. The symbol of this sign is "♉".

Twins

At the heart of this sign is also the story of the love affairs of Zeus. This time he in the image of a swan seduced Leda - the wife of King Sparta. From this affair Leda gave birth to two eggs, of which came out for a pair of twins. It is believed that the two girls were from her legal spouse, and two boys from Zeus. They were called Pollux and Castor. And so they loved each other, that when Castor died in the war, Pollux promised to sacrifice himself if Zeus returns life to his brother. As a reward for such love, loyalty and readiness for self-sacrifice, the Lord of the Gods gave them an inheritance in the heavens where other signs of the zodiac were located. The notation for Gemini is based on paired anthropomorphic images. And schematically the symbol of this zodiac looks like this: «♊».

Cancer

In legends, the cancer seems more like a negative character - Hera sent it to prevent Hercules from killing the Lernae hydra. But the hero crushed cancer. Nevertheless, for his obedience, he received a place from Hera in the sky, and he was taken to the zodiac signs. The designations of the cancer symbolize that the sun in this place slows down. His symbol is: "♋".

a lion

The constellation of the lion recalls another feat of Heracles - a battle with the Nemean lion. The demigod conquered this invulnerable beast, and the memory of him was immortalized in the same name constellation. The symbol of the lion: "♌".

Virgo

Signs of the zodiac, whose designations usually contain zoomorphic motifs, also have such an interesting image as a virgin. He goes back to the myth of the Pandora's box, from which numerous curses fell upon the earth, and the gods left the earth. So, the constellation of the Virgin is the goddess Astrea, the last of the gods, who went to heaven beyond the heavens. The sign of the Virgin: "♍".

Libra

Libra continues the previous mythological plot. Under this constellation lies Themis - the goddess of justice and the mother of Astrea. According to legend, when humanity attains the golden age in its development, Themis and Astrea will return to earth.

The designation of the zodiac signs is usually zoomorphic, sometimes anthropomorphic, but Libra is the only constellation personified by an inanimate object. The symbol is: "♎".

Scorpio

This constellation represents the same scorpion who killed Orion, the son of the god of the seas of Poseidon. There are many versions of how this happened, but ultimately both of them - both Orion and Scorpio - got to heaven, becoming constellations. The sign of Scorpio looks like this: "♏".

Sagittarius

The signs of the zodiac, the designations of which were presented above, are either an animal or people. The exception is Libra - neither animal nor human, and this constellation of Sagittarius is both an animal and a person at the same time. Under his mask is the centaur Chiron. He went to heaven as a reward for his nobility, replacing Prometheus with himself on a rock, to which the latter was chained for giving fire to people . The symbol of Sagittarius is the following: "♐".

Capricorn

Under the name of Capricorn, the image of the gay god Pan is immortalized in the zodiac, although most often it is portrayed in the form of his distant prototype - the Babylonian god Ea, who had the body of a goat with a fish tail. Schematically, this constellation is represented as follows: "♑".

Aquarius

Constellation of Aquarius perpetuates the memory of the Greek Noah - the righteous Deucalion, who alone with his wife was saved during the Great Flood. For his piety he was awarded the honor of becoming a constellation. The symbol is: "♒".

Fish

Signs of the zodiac, whose designations make up the celestial circle, end in the constellation of Pisces. By these creatures in this case means the goddess of love Aphrodite and her son Erot, who were converted to fish by Zeus, to save them from the terrible monster of Typhon. Athe-pallas ascended to heaven. This constellation is designated as: "♓".