What Does the Cancer Constellation Stand For?

Glancing at the constellation of Cancer the Crab, you might see it as an upside-down letter "Y." Ancient civilizations that named the star group saw it as such creatures as a crab or a tortoise.

Significance

The Greeks believed that this constellation was the crab that the goddess Hera sent to distract Hercules by pinching his feet as he battled the Hydra. After Hercules crushed the crab, Hera placed it among the stars.

History

The Chinese, Babylonians and Egyptians thought that this particular region of the heavens looked like a great tortoise. Later the Egyptians peered at this constellation and saw a scarab beetle, a symbol of immortality in their culture.

Considerations

The open star cluster within Cancer goes by the name of the Praesepe, Latin for "manger."

Famous Ties

Two dim stars that flank the Praesepe to its north and south, nicknamed the northern and southern asses, represent the donkeys that the gods Bacchus and Vulcan rode upon as they fought with the Titans.

Fun Fact

The Roman scholar Pliny would use the star cluster within Cancer to predict summer storms, feeling that one was imminent if the Praesepe was not visible on a clear night.

References

• Cancer the Crab
• Skyscript