The Mystery of the Dragon: Mythology and Astronomical Significance of Draco Constellation
Fascinating Symbol in Astrology: The Secrets of Draco, the Largest 8th Constellation in the Northern Hemisphere
Astrology is based on the ancient belief and interest in stars and constellations. Constellations are significant symbols used in the interpretation of birth charts and in predicting the future in astrology. Each constellation has its unique meanings and effects. Astrologers can make predictions about personality, emotional state, career, relationships, and many other aspects based on the positions of these constellations. Constellations are among the many symbols and tools used in astrology, and the position of stars in the sky according to astrology can shed light on information about people’s lives.
For those who are new to astrology or interested in astronomy, I have compiled the 88 constellations for you, starting with the Draco constellation and approaching it from mythological and astronomical perspectives.
Draco, also known as the Dragon constellation, is one of the modern 88 constellations that holds historical significance and is located in the northern hemisphere. Its name is derived from the Latin term “draconem” as it appears to move like a giant snake in the northern sky. It is the eighth-largest constellation in the sky. Its brightest stars are “Thuban” and “Eltain”. The Draco constellation is best observed in July.
The constellation Draco officially contains 17 stars, as named by the IAU. Its astronomical significance lies in its role in determining the position of the North Star, Polaris, as it revolves around it. It also hosts various star clusters, one of which is the “Draco Cluster”, located in the northwest part of the constellation and approximately 400 million years old. This star cluster is a region where young stars form and develop, and it has been extensively studied by astrophysicists. Draco also contains various binary star systems, such as the “Nu Draconis” binary star system, where two stars orbit each other closely and exhibit a complex orbital arrangement. Such binary star systems are studied by astrophysicists to gain a better understanding of star evolution and stellar interactions. The “NGC 6543” or “Cat’s Eye Nebula”, which is of great importance to astronomers, is also located within this constellation. This planetary nebula is found in the southwest part of the Draco constellation and is a popular target for astronomy enthusiasts and amateur observers. Other planetary nebulae and star clusters within the Draco constellation are also studied with telescopes.
Every mythology and culture has interpreted the Draco constellation according to its own mythological stories and beliefs, highlighting the cultural and mythological significance of constellations. There is no exact information about when and by whom it was discovered. Ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Indians, and many other civilizations have developed observations and legends about the Draco constellation.
Chinese Mythology: In Chinese mythology, the Draco constellation represents the orbit of a dragon called the “Great Tail”. Dragons are considered symbols of power, wealth, and good luck in Chinese culture. The Great Tail is seen as a symbol of prosperity, abundance, and extraordinary abilities in Chinese mythology.
Persian Mythology: In Persian mythology, the Draco constellation is associated with the story of a dragon named Aži Dahāka. Aži Dahāka is depicted as a malevolent dragon or serpent in Persian mythology, believed to have been created to devour humans. The defeat of Aži Dahāka by two heroes named Zal and Rostam is an important theme in Persian mythology and is reflected in the meaning of the Draco constellation.
Celtic Mythology: In Celtic mythology, the Draco constellation is associated with the story of a dragon named Cadarn. Cadarn is depicted as a powerful and fearsome dragon in Celtic mythology and is believed to reside underground in some stories. Cadarn is considered a symbol of nature and cosmic order in Celtic mythology, and the Draco constellation can be seen as a reflection of this mythological story.
Arabian Mythology: In Arabian mythology, the Draco constellation is associated with the story of a dragon called Tinnin. Tinnin is depicted as a monstrous sea serpent in Arabian mythology, known for its immense size and strength. The story of Tinnin is often associated with the struggle between good and evil in Arabian mythology, and the Draco constellation may be interpreted in this context.
Overall, the Draco constellation has been interpreted and associated with various mythological stories and beliefs in different cultures, highlighting its cultural and mythological significance throughout history.
For astrology students, three important myths are undoubtedly Greek mythology, Maya mythology, and Hindu mythology.
Greek Mythology: In Greek mythology, the Draco constellation is associated with the golden gardens of the Hesperides and one of Hercules’ tasks.
The Hesperides are the nymphs of the evening, daughters of Nyx, the goddess of night, according to some myths. In another myth, they are said to be the daughters of Zeus and Themis, the goddess of justice. The main duty of the Hesperides is to guard the golden apples in the garden of the gods. Gaia, the goddess of the earth, gave this tree as a wedding gift to Hera, the goddess of heaven, and Zeus, the king of the gods, and it was planted in a garden at the western end of the world. Hera assigned Ladon, a dragon with hundreds of heads, to guard the golden apples. Hercules’ task is to steal the golden apples from this garden. Hercules devises a plan to bypass the monster guarding the golden apples by wrapping himself around the tree. To execute his plan, he needs an assistant. For this, he chooses Atlas, who was punished by carrying the world on his shoulders due to his rebellion against Zeus. Hercules tells Atlas that he will take over the burden of carrying the world in exchange for bringing him a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides. Atlas accepts this offer. Hercules kills Ladon by shooting him with poisonous arrows and carries the world on his shoulders, while Atlas brings three golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides. While talking to Hercules, Atlas realizes that he has a perfect opportunity to get rid of the burden of carrying the world forever. He asks Hercules to continue carrying the world for a few more months. Then he promises to take the burden back. Realizing the situation, Hercules asks Atlas to take the burden of the world back for a short time so that he can carry it more comfortably. Atlas agrees without suspicion and takes the burden of the world back on his shoulders. Hercules thanks him and leaves. Hera is saddened by the death of Ladon and honors him by placing him near the North Star in the sky.
In another myth, Draco was one of the monsters that fought against the younger gods of Olympus and the older gods for the ownership of the universe in a war known as the Titanomachy. Towards the end of the war, Draco opposes the war goddess Athena. Athena catches him by the tail and throws him into the sky with great force. Draco flies backward and stumbles. He crashes into the dome of the sky, and his body becomes knotted in the sky. Draco freezes without unraveling the knots in his body, as he collided with the sky near the North Pole in cold regions. That’s why Draco is seen as knotted in the sky. The knots in the North and South…
The current North Star, Polaris, has not always been our North Pole star. Once upon a time, it was an ordinary star called Phoenice that was observed in the northern sky. Thuban, a star in the Draco constellation, was used as the North Pole star by the ancient Egyptians approximately 5,000 years ago when they were building the pyramids. And 12,000 years ago, our North Pole star was Vega.
So, what caused this change? Why does our North Pole star keep changing?
The reason for this change in the sky is the precession motion of the Earth’s axis. The Earth, influenced by the gravitational forces of the Sun and the Moon, behaves like a top that wobbles, and this wobbling creates a precession motion that takes about 15,771 years to complete. Currently, the North Star is still approaching the North Celestial Pole, and on March 24, 2100, it will be closest to the North Celestial Pole, at least for now. We know that Polaris will continue to point toward the North for many years to come, and this astronomical data aligns with the description of “wobbling” in Greek mythology.
Maya Mythology: In Maya mythology, the Draco constellation represents the “Path of the Creator,” which is the path of a serpent. Snakes hold an important place in Maya culture as symbols of continuity, creation, cyclical transformation, and power. The Draco constellation, known as the “Path of the Creator” in Maya mythology, is considered a symbol of creation and cyclical transformation.
Spiral or Snake: In Maya culture, the main snake symbols encountered are the two-headed snake, seven-headed snake, tree snake, snake coiled in a spiral around its eggs, double snakes intersecting in the shape of “S”, two-dotted (starred) snake, or “S”-shaped snake with dots (representing star positions), and the feathered snake, known as Kukulkan in some depictions, which is associated with creation in a similar manner to the ancient Egyptian tradition of Mehen, with the same name. In some depictions, the feathered snake (deity Kukulkan) is represented by a snake that draws “S” shapes, and round jade stones are placed within the snake to depict the positions of stars in orbit. In many traditions, the snake has been used to represent both positive and negative meanings. The reason why the snake was chosen as a celestial symbol among the Maya is likely due to its ability to take the shape of celestial orbits and draw “S” shapes with its body.
Hindu Mythology: In Hindu mythology, the Draco constellation is associated astrologically with the myth of Draco and the North Lunar Node (Rahu) and the South Lunar Node (Ketu).
The Draco constellation is considered the abode of Sarpa or Naga snakes in Hindu mythology. The arrangement of stars in the Draco constellation resembles the body of a snake. Rahu and Ketu are associated with the stories of Naga or Sarpa. Sarpa or Naga are serpent beings with powerful, wise, and mystical qualities, and they play different roles in Hindu mythology. Rahu and Ketu represent the headless form of the Naga or Sarpa, symbolizing concepts such as karma, fate, spiritual transformation, and spiritual journey.
Mythologically, the story of Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) comes up in Hindu mythology. Samudra Manthan is a story of a great churning of the ocean of milk (Milky Way) that took place between the gods and demons, and it is one of the most important epic tales in Hindu mythology, found in the Mahabharata.
“Samudra Manthan” is a mythological story that revolves around the continuous struggle between gods and demons. The gods seek to obtain Amrita, also known as the nectar of immortality. To achieve this, the gods and demons collaborate to churn the ocean of milk, where Amrita is believed to reside. They start churning the ocean using Mount Mandara, but the mountain sinks so deep into the ocean that the gods and demons struggle to hold on to it.
In response, god Vishnu decides to stir the ocean of milk with the guidance of the goddess Lakshmi and the help of the serpent god Vasuki. While the gods hold the head of Vasuki to churn the ocean, the demons hold the tail. However, as the ocean is churned, a powerful poison emerges that threatens the entire universe. To save the universe, god Shiva decides to drink the poison and holds its effects in his throat, which turns blue.
As the process of Samudra Manthan continues, various significant objects and beings emerge. These include the white elephant Airavata, the cow Kamadhenu who is the giver of all desires and beauties, and the god of love Kamadeva, among others.
Eventually, when the ocean of milk is churned and the Amrita is fully manifested, it becomes a drink that needs to be shared between the gods and demons. However, during this process, the demon Rahu sneaks among the gods and tries to drink the Amrita. The gods notice this and god Vishnu cuts off Rahu’s head. But since Rahu has already consumed the drink, his head becomes immortal. Thus, Rahu is placed in the sky as a headless serpent-like form, while his tail becomes Ketu.
Rahu represents the material world and worldly desires. He is depicted as a heartless and soulless entity, symbolizing people who are captivated by the attractions of the material world such as earthly pleasures, achievements, ambitions, and goals. Rahu is a force that constantly directs people toward the external world and arouses their desires for material pleasures.
Onanotherhand, Ketu is the opposite of Rahu and is associated with instincts, intuitions, and spiritual development. Ketu represents letting go of worldly attachments and turning towards the spiritual realm. Ketu is considered as a guiding force that leads people toward spiritual growth and existential understanding.
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