Constellation Notes: Aquarius
Name Meaning: "Water Bearer"
References:
Allen, Richard H. "Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning."
Olcott, William Tyler. "Star Lore: Myths, Legends, and Facts."
Ridpath, Ian. “Star Tails.”
Staal, Julius DW. "The New Patterns in the Sky: Myths and Legends of the Stars."
Information:
Staal states, "When in Classical times the Sun passed in front of the stars of Aquarius, it used to be the rainy season" (Staal 42). "Two thousand years ago Aquarius coincided with the month of February, which has its derivation from februare, "to cleanse." In those far off days it was during the time of Aquarius that people cleaned their homes, farms, and barns after the long dark winter" (Staal 43).
This constellation is located in an area of the sky commonly associated with water. Other aquatic constellations in this region include: Cetus, Pisces, Piscis Austrinus, Capricornus, Eridanus, and Delphinus. "According to Ideler, the reason for this designation of "the Sea" for this region of the heavens is because the sun passes through this part of the sky during the rainy season of the year" (Olcott 31).
Staal claims that, "in practically all countries of the world the story of the great flood is told in some version or another. Ancient mythology personified this event in Aquarius..." (Staal 43).
The Aquarius constellation is often seen as pouring water (in the form of the constellation of Eridanus) into the mouth of the southern fish (Piscis Austrinus). It's unknown the historical/mythological significance of the fish, however this imagery is often repeated throughout different artistic reimaginings (Olcott 32).
Aquarius was seen by many different cultures as a human figure pouring out water from "a jar or pitcher." The sole exception would be Arabic astronomers, who were "forbidden by law to draw the human figure" (Olcott 31). Instead Aquarius was represented by a mule carrying barrels of water (or alternatively a water bucket) on its back.
In Greek Mythology, Aquarius is associated with Ganymede who became the cup-bearer of the gods. Jupiter was fascinated with the beauty of the young boy and kidnapped him/sent an eagle to kidnap him, as was often the case with Jupiter (Olcott 32). Water-carrying was an important and common occupation in ancient times. Water was offered to travelers as refreshment and to clean their feet. "Ganymede had a place next to Jupiter's throne on Olympus and, whenever he accompanied Jupiter elsewhere, he was seated on the eagle" (Staal 43). The eagle that did this is said to be the one seen in the constellation of Aquila.
In Ovid's "Fasti," says that the liquid is a mixture of water and nectar, the drink of the gods (Ridpath 25).
Aquarius has been associated with biblical figures such as Moses or John the Baptist (Allen 46).
The acient Egyptians associated the constellation with good fortune and imagined that "the setting of Aquarius caused the rising of the Nile, as he sank his huge urn in the river to fill it" (Allen 47).
In Norse Mythology, "Aquarius was considered Wali's place and was supposed to be covered in silver" (Olcott 32).
In the Indian Zodiac Aquarius was called "Kumbha" (meaning "water jar") and had an associated with Storm-gods (Olcott 32).
Aquarius, as we know it, was "unknown to the ancient Chinese" (Staal 43).
Ridpath states, "Several stars in Aquarius have named beginning with 'Sad.' In Arabic, sa'd means 'luck'" (Ridpath 26).
Notable stars:
Alpha Aquarii Name: Sadalmelik Color: Yellow Apparent Magnitude: 2.95 - Translates to "the lucky stars of the king" in Arabic (Ridpath 26). - This was the determinate star of its respective lunar station (Allen 51).
Beta Aquarii Name: Sadalsuud Color: Yellow Apparent Magnitude: 2.95 - Translates to "luckiest of the lucky" in Arabic (Ridpath 26).
Delta Aquarii Name: Skat Color: White Apparent Magnitude: 3.27 - This is a very unlucky star with the alternate name "Scheat" (Allen 53).
Zeta Aquarii Name: Sadaltager Color: Yellow Apparent Magnitude: 3.65
Lambda Aquarii Name: Hydor Color: Red Apparent Magnitude: 3.722
Epsilon Aquarii Name: Albali Color: White Apparent Magnitude: 3.77
Gamma Aquarii Name: Sadachbia Color: White Apparent Magnitude: 3.849 - Translates to "lucky stars of the tents" in Arabic (Ridpath 26). - Allen claims it translates instead to the "Lucky star of hidden things/hiding places" (Allen 52).
Ideas:
This is another constellation I can't see myself writing too much with, but I have a number of thoughts about it. I'm fascinated by the combination of luck, renewal, and death found in their constellation. They used to bring in the wet season but they were also the memory of a great flood that would wipe out most of the planet's population. Then you have Ganymede-- cup-bearer of the gods. To whom where these stars lucky? Alpha Aquarii being the luck of kings in particular gives this constellation an interesting vibe to kind of go with. Maybe this constellation, in the story, does not serve the common folk but rather the richer ones. Maybe they're a bit corrupt? I dunno.
