What is the myth of the Pleiades?
What is the myth of the Pleiades?
In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas. He was forced to hold up the sky for eternity, and was therefore unable to protect his daughters. To save the sisters from being raped by the hunter Orion, Zeus transformed them into stars.
Who are the 7 daughters of Atlas?
Pleiades, in Greek mythology, the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the Oceanid Pleione: Maia, Electra, Taygete, Celaeno, Alcyone, Sterope, and Merope. They all had children by gods (except Merope, who married Sisyphus).
Is Orion and Pleiades the same?
The Pleiades are about 425 light years away, located against the backdrop of the constellation of Taurusand nearby the constellation of Orion. In Greek Myth, from where they get their name, the Pleiades are the seven daughters of Atlas. Running from the hunter Orion, the sisters beg Zeus to save them.
Is the Pleiades in our galaxy?
With the exception of the Andromeda galaxy and the Magellanic clouds1, every star, star cluster and nebula that is visible to the naked eye is part of the Milky Way. The Pleiades is a star cluster in the Milky Way.
What is the other name of the Pleiades?
The Seven Sisters
The Pleiades (/ˈpliː.ədiːz, ˈpleɪ-, ˈplaɪ-/), also known as The Seven Sisters, Matariki, Messier 45, and other names by different cultures, is an asterism and an open star cluster containing middle-aged, hot B-type stars in the north-west of the constellation Taurus.
How did the Mayans view the Pleiades?
The Pleiades was clearly revered also by the Mayans, who in the area of Chichen Itza knew that the Sun casts a snake-like shadow on the side of the north stairway of the Kukulcan pyramid during the spring equinox.
Who are the Pleiades in Greek mythology?
Pleiades (Greek mythology) The Pleiades (/ˈplaɪ.ədiːz, ˈpliːədiːz/; Greek: Πλειάδες [pleːádes]), companions of Artemis, were the seven daughters of the titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione born on Mount Cyllene.
How many pages are in the Pleiades mythology?
Pleiades Mythology The mythology associated with the Pleiadescluster is extensive; Burnham alone devotes eight pages to the subject, and Allen more than twice that number (see references). Here only Greek legends are presented.
Why did Zeus turn the Pleiades into stars?
After Atlas was forced to carry the heavens on his shoulders, Orion began to pursue all of the Pleiades, and Zeus transformed them first into doves, and then into stars to comfort their father. The constellation of Orion is said to still pursue them across the night sky.