Table of Contents
Pleiades Associations
| Culture | Myth/Association |
|---|---|
| Greek Mythology | The Pleiades are seven sisters transformed into stars to escape Orion. |
| Māori (New Zealand) | Known as Matariki, they signal the Māori New Year and are associated with harvest and prosperity. |
| Navajo (Native American) | Known as the “Seven Sisters,” they are associated with the planting season. |
| Lakota (Native American) | Linked to the myth of the “Seven Little Girls” saved from a bear. |
| Hopi (Native American) | Associated with agricultural planting and ceremonies. |
| Japanese | Known as Subaru, representing unity and togetherness. |
| Aztec (Mesoamerica) | Called the “Fire Drill,” their rising was crucial for timing ceremonies. |
| Maya (Mesoamerica) | Associated with the beginning of their calendar cycle. |
| Australian Aboriginal | Various stories, such as the Seven Sisters pursued by Orion, the hunter. |
| Hindu (India) | Known as Krittika, the wives of the seven sages (Saptarishi). |
| Zulu (Southern Africa) | Called “IsiLimela,” they are associated with agriculture and the planting season. |
| Inca (Andes) | Considered an important agricultural marker and linked to the goddess Pachamama. |
| Tongan and Samoan (Polynesia) | Known as Matali’i, marking the start of the new year and planting season. |
Taurus and the Pleiades across cultures and legends:
| Culture | Association/Legend |
|---|---|
| Greek Mythology | Taurus is associated with Zeus, who transformed into a bull to abduct Europa. The Pleiades are part of the constellation, marking the bull’s shoulder. |
| Egyptian | Taurus is linked with the bull god Apis, an earthly manifestation of Osiris. The Pleiades represent the “Seven Sisters” mourning Osiris. |
| Mesoamerican (Maya) | The Pleiades, known as Tzab Ek, are part of Taurus and play a significant role in the agricultural calendar and mythology. |
| Babylonian | Taurus is associated with the Bull of Heaven, Gugalanna, sent by Ishtar. The Pleiades mark the back of this celestial bull. |
| Persian (Zoroastrian) | Tishtrya, the rain-bringing god, is linked with the Pleiades. Taurus symbolizes fertility and renewal in agricultural cycles. |
| Native American (Iroquois) | The Pleiades represent hunters in a bear hunt myth, with Taurus forming part of the celestial scene. |
| Hawaiian | The Pleiades (Makali’i) mark the start of the Makahiki, a harvest celebration. They are associated with Taurus in the context of agriculture and seasonal change. |
| Indian (Vedic) | Taurus, called Vrishabha, is associated with fertility and strength. The Pleiades (Krittika) are positioned in this sign, marking the harvest season. |
| Arabian | The Pleiades, known as Al-Thurayya, are part of Taurus and are significant in folklore and navigation, representing abundance and prosperity. |
This table highlights the various cultural connections between the Taurus constellation and the Pleiades, reflecting their importance in mythology and agriculture across different societies.
Orion Associations
| Culture | Myth/Association |
|---|---|
| Greek Mythology | Orion is a giant huntsman placed among the stars by Zeus, pursuing the Pleiades. |
| Egyptian | Associated with Osiris, believed to be resurrected as the constellation Orion. |
| Maasai (East Africa) | Orion’s Belt is “Three Stone Cattle Kraals,” representing three chief warriors. |
| Chinese | Part of the White Tiger of the West constellation, associated with the winter season. |
| Norse | Often associated with Thor, the god of thunder. |
| Mayan (Mesoamerica) | The three stars of Orion’s Belt were considered part of the hearthstones of creation. |
| Aboriginal Australian | Represents a hunter or group of young men in some cultures. |
| Babylonian | Known as “The Heavenly Shepherd,” representing a god or hero figure. |
| Hawaiian | Known as Ka Heihei o nā Keiki, or “String Figure of the Children.” |
In various mythologies and traditions, different celestial beings and figures are associated with the constellation Orion. Here are some of the most notable associations:
Greek Mythology
- Orion the Hunter: In Greek mythology, Orion is depicted as a giant huntsman placed among the stars by Zeus. He is often portrayed with a club and shield, or bow, hunting various animals depicted by nearby constellations.
- Orion and the Pleiades: Orion is associated with the Pleiades as he was said to have pursued the seven sisters. The constellations are positioned in such a way that Orion seems to be chasing the Pleiades across the sky.
- Orion and Scorpius: The constellation Scorpius is also associated with Orion. According to myth, Orion boasted that he could kill all the animals on Earth, which angered the Earth goddess Gaia. In response, she sent a giant scorpion to kill him. Zeus placed both Orion and the scorpion in the sky, positioning them so that when Scorpius rises, Orion sets, to prevent further conflict between them.
Egyptian Mythology
- Osiris: In Egyptian mythology, the constellation Orion is associated with Osiris, the god of the afterlife, death, and rebirth. The stars of Orion were believed to represent Osiris, and the constellation was significant in ancient Egyptian culture and religion, symbolizing the god’s power and eternal presence.
Norse Mythology
- Freyja’s Gown: In some interpretations, the stars of Orion were thought to be part of the goddess Freyja’s gown, representing her status as a powerful deity of love, beauty, and fertility.
Other Cultures
- Gilgamesh: In Babylonian mythology, the constellation is sometimes associated with Gilgamesh, the hero of the epic bearing his name, symbolizing his strength and heroic deeds.
- Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli: In Aztec mythology, Orion’s belt was associated with Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl, one of their important gods.
Pleiades as seven sisters
The myth of the Pleiades as seven sisters transformed into stars to escape Orion originates from Greek mythology and provides a fascinating explanation for the cluster’s presence in the night sky. Here’s a summary of the myth and its symbolic meaning:
The Myth
According to the myth, the Pleiades were seven sisters: Maia, Electra, Taygete, Alcyone, Celaeno, Sterope, and Merope. They were the daughters of the Titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione. The sisters were renowned for their beauty, which caught the attention of Orion, a giant and mighty hunter.
The Pursuit and Transformation
Orion became infatuated with the sisters and pursued them across the earth for many years. To save them from Orion’s relentless pursuit, Zeus, the king of the gods, transformed the sisters into stars and placed them in the sky. This transformation allowed the sisters to escape Orion’s advances and remain together in the heavens.
Symbolic Meaning
- Escape and Protection: The story symbolizes the idea of divine intervention to protect the innocent and preserve their purity. It reflects themes of escape from unwanted attention and the idea of being safeguarded by a higher power.
- Celestial Beauty: By transforming the sisters into stars, the myth associates their beauty with the night sky, suggesting that their allure was so great that it became a permanent fixture in the heavens.
- Eternal Pursuit: In the sky, the constellation of Orion is positioned near the Pleiades, eternally chasing them but never able to catch them. This celestial arrangement reinforces the narrative of escape and unrequited pursuit.
This myth provides a poetic explanation for the presence and arrangement of these star clusters, illustrating how ancient cultures used storytelling to interpret and find meaning in the natural world.
