The Myth Behind the Cancer Constellation

Although it is an area of the sky devoid of bright stars, the ancient Greeks looked at the constellation Cancer and saw a giant crab. The crab is part of the myth of the great hero Hercules, one of many constellations connected with this legendary strongman.

Hercules

Hercules was just in the beginning of his famous Twelve Labors, working on the second one, when he encountered the giant crab while trying to destroy the fearsome hydra, a multi-headed serpent.

Jealousy

Hera, who was jealous and upset that Hercules was the offspring from an affair between her husband Zeus and a mortal woman, sent the crab to try to distract Hercules as he did battle with the hydra.

Crab Attack

The crab came out of the swamp where Hercules engaged the hydra and grabbed his foot, but Hercules unceremoniously crushed it beneath his heel, killing it.

Crab's Reward

Hera felt compelled to reward the crab for its brave sacrifice, so she placed it in the sky, but made sure it had no bright stars since it did fail so thoroughly.

Other Links

Other constellations linked to the Hercules myth include Hydra, Sagitta, Crater, Lyra, Aquilla, Serpens and Centaurus.

References

• Cancer:Universe Today
• Cancer:Dome of the Sky
• Constellation Families:Sed.org