The Pleiadians, from the Pleiades star cluster, commonly known as the Seven Sisters, have been a significant feature in the mythologies and folklore of various cultures around the world.
Greek Mythology
In ancient Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the ocean-nymph Pleione. Their names—Maia, Electra, Taygete, Alcyone, Celaeno, Sterope, and Merope—are immortalized in the stars. According to myth, the sisters were pursued by the hunter Orion and were placed in the sky by Zeus to protect them. The Pleiades are often associated with themes of beauty, grace, and celestial navigation.
Aboriginal Australian Lore
The Pleiades feature prominently in the Dreamtime mythology of Aboriginal Australians. Tribes have their own interpretations, but a common theme is the pursuit of the sisters by male figures, often represented by Orion. The Pleiades are sometimes seen as young women who were transformed into stars. These stories are integral to the cultural and spiritual practices of Aboriginal people, symbolizing the connection between the land and the sky.
Native American Traditions
Among Native American tribes, the Pleiades hold significant spiritual and agricultural importance. The Cherokee refer to them as “Ani’tsutsa,” the Daughters of the Sun, while the Lakota Sioux have stories linking the star cluster to creation myths and the spirit world. These narratives often involve the Pleiades marking important seasonal changes and guiding agricultural practices.
Japanese Mythology
In Japan, the Pleiades are known as “Subaru,” which means “unite” or “gather together.” The cluster’s name is also the inspiration for the automobile brand. In Japanese folklore, the Pleiades are associated with the god of agriculture and the seasons, reflecting their importance in marking time and guiding planting cycles.
Hindu Tradition
In Hindu astronomy, the Pleiades are known as “Krittika” and are associated with the six mothers of the war god Kartikeya, also known as Skanda. The star cluster is significant in various Hindu texts, where it symbolizes nurturing and warrior attributes. The Krittika constellation is also linked with the lunar mansion system used in Vedic astrology.
Ancient Chinese Astronomy
In ancient Chinese astronomy, the Pleiades are part of the “White Tiger” constellation, one of the four cardinal points of the sky. Known as “Mao” (昴), the Pleiades were used in calendrical calculations and were seen as markers of seasonal change. The cluster’s visibility in the sky was crucial for agricultural planning and timing of rituals.
Norse Mythology
In Norse mythology, the Pleiades are sometimes associated with Freyja, the goddess of love, fertility, and battle. They are also linked to the story of the giantess Hyrrokkin, who is said to have been sent to push the ship of the dead god Baldr out to sea. The Pleiades’ appearance in the night sky was used by the Norse for navigation and to mark the passage of time.
Polynesian Traditions
In Polynesian cultures, the Pleiades are known as “Matariki” in Maori and are associated with the Maori New Year. The heliacal rising of the Pleiades marks the beginning of the new year and is a time of remembrance, celebration, and planning for the future. The Pleiades are also important for navigation across the vast Pacific Ocean.
Conclusion
The Pleiades star cluster, known by many names and seen through various cultural lenses, holds a universal place in human mythology and folklore.
From the Greeks and the Aboriginal Australians to the Native Americans, Japanese, Hindus, Chinese, Norse, and Polynesians, the Pleiades have been a source of inspiration, guiding agricultural practices, marking seasonal changes, and symbolizing various spiritual and mythological themes. This widespread reverence underscores the shared human fascination with the stars and our place in the cosmos.
