Have you ever wondered why one of the zodiac signs, proudly bearing the name Cancer, is so often depicted as a sideways-scuttling crab? This might seem like a strange inconsistency, but behind this astronomical quirk lies a fascinating story, rooted in ancient myths and observations of the night sky.
Imagine ancient stargazers, continuously peering into the shimmering clusters of stars night after night. They tried to organize the chaos of celestial bodies, to see familiar shapes in them, to navigate time and space, and to link heavenly phenomena with earthly events. This is how constellations were born — groups of stars forming recognizable figures in our imagination.
One such constellation, located in a relatively dim part of the sky, was named Cancer. To be honest, the outlines of this constellation are quite blurry and don’t immediately resemble any living creature. So why «Cancer»?
Several theories, spanning centuries, exist:
1. Mythological Roots:
The most common theory is connected to the ancient Greek myth of the twelve labors of Hercules (the Roman Hercules). In one of his trials, Hercules fought the multi-headed Hydra. To help the monster, a huge crab crawled out from the depths of the swamp and clamped its claws onto the hero’s foot, trying to hinder him. Hercules, enraged, crushed the crab. The goddess Hera, who hated Hercules, placed the image of the crab in the sky as a constellation in gratitude for its loyalty to the Hydra.
Thus, already in ancient Greek mythology, the celestial Cancer was directly linked to the crab. This connection became firmly established in astronomical tradition.
2. Astronomical Observations:
Some researchers suggest that the name might have arisen from the Sun’s behavior during the period when it passes through the constellation Cancer (approximately during the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere). After reaching its highest point in the sky, the Sun seems to move «sideways» or «backward,» much like a crab. This metaphor could have formed the basis for the constellation’s name.
3. Symbolism:
In various cultures, the crab is associated with protection (thanks to its shell), tenacity, and the ability to move in different directions. These qualities could have been transferred to the astrological sign linked with the Cancer constellation.
So why did the «crab» stick, while «Cancer» remained only in the name?
Probably, mythological influence proved decisive. The story of the crab fighting Hercules was vivid and memorable, which helped solidify the image of this marine creature for the constellation. Furthermore, the image of the crab as a protector and a creature associated with water (the element of the Cancer sign) turned out to be quite symbolic.
Over time, this connection became so strong that in astrology and popular culture, the image of a crab became the universally accepted symbol for the sign of Cancer, despite the fact that the constellation itself bears no obvious resemblance to this animal.
This once again proves how closely intertwined astronomy, mythology, and symbolism are. The names and images of constellations are often not a literal reflection of their shape, but rather reflect the rich history of human imagination and attempts to understand the mysterious world of the cosmos.
So, the next time you look at the night sky and recall the sign of Cancer, remember this interesting connection between the celestial symbol and its earthly «representative» — the tenacious and resilient crab. This is yet another amazing story the Universe tells us!