Aries (The Ram) - In Greek mythology, Aries was a winged ram with golden wool. His hide became the much- desired Golden Fleece.
Taurus (The Bull) - Jupiter, the supreme Roman god, turned himself into a bull when he swam from Phoenicia to Crete.
Gemini (The Twins) - This constellation reminded the Greeks of Castor and Pollux, the mythological twin sons of Zeus. It was thought to bring good luck to sailors since it appeared at the end of the winter storm season.
Cancer (The Crab) - Cancer represents the crab that Juno, queen of the gods, sent to rescue Hydra. But Hercules stepped on the crab, crushing it to death. To reward the crab for its heroic attempt, Juno chose it to represent this constellation.
Leo (The Lion) - This large constellation honors the strength and bravery of the lion.
Virgo (The Virgin) - Virgo is traditionally depicted as a maiden holding an ear of grain to symbolize the harvest.
Libra (The Scales) - Libra is the symbol of balance. This constellation appears at the time of the autumnal equinox, when days and nights are equal.
Scorpio (The Scorpion) - In mythology, Scorpio was the scorpion that attacked and killed the hunter Orion.
Sagittarius (The Archer) - This constellation is usually pictured as Chiron the archer, who is a centaur (half man, half horse). Chiron is said to be aiming his arrow at Scorpio, to avenge the death of Orion.
Capricorn (The Sea Goat) - In many cultures, Capricorn has the head of a goat and the tail of a fish. The goat, an expert climber, represents the sun's climb from its lowest position in the sky. After December 22, the shortest day, the sun's time in the sky increases daily.
Aquarius (The Water Bearer) - The Babylonians believed that this group of stars represented an old man pouring water from a Jar. The Greeks saw Ganymede, the cup bearer of the gods, who poured the water of life.
Pisces (The Fishes) - Represents Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, and her son Cupid. To Escape from a monster, they turned into fish and jumped into a river.
