The Legend of Corona Borealis Corona Borealis: this constellation is shaped like the crescent moon.
Greece: the crown given to the Princess Ariadne after she was left behind by Theseus. The seven stars of the constellation represent the seven maidens and seven youths sacrificed to the Minotaur of Crete after the death of King Minos' son in battle. According to the legend, Theseus went to Crete to kill the monster and was aided by the beautiful Ariadne who gave him a ball of string. Using the trail of string as he walked through the Labyrinth, Theseus slew the Minotaur, followed the string out of the maze and returned to Athens with Ariadne as his bride. Reportedly, she became shrewish during the return voyage and he left her behind. Other versions of the tale have her falling asleep on the island of Naxos and being left behind by mistake. In both versions of the story, Dionysus, feeling sorry for her, gave her a golden crown made by Hephaestus. It was placed in the sky after her death. Another interpretation of the Corona Borealis is connected with the legend of Hercules. See the Greek legend of Hercules.
Arabic: called al-Fakkan, or the Bowl. Its brightest star's name translates to mean Brilliant One of the Bowl.
Algonquin/Iroquios: the den from which a bear, represented by the four dipper stars of the Big Dipper, appears. Various hunting birds chase after her until the bear returns to her den in late autumn. See the Native American legend of Ursa Major.
Australian Aborigines: the boomerang.
Christian legend: the crown of thorns worn by Christ at the crucifixion.
Shawnee: the celestial sisters from the legend of White Falcon. White Falcon was a great hunter. One day he came upon a circle in the grass that was perfectly shaped and had no trails leading up to it that would tell him who had made the circle. Wanting to know what could have made the shape he waited and saw a silver basket descending from the sky bearing 12 beautiful sisters. Wanting to marry one, he disguised himself and eventually caught one of the women, making her his wife. She was unhappy with life on earth and made her own basket one night when White Falcon was hunting. Singing a magical song, she rose to the sky but did not return to her original home. She became the star Arcturus in the constellation, Boötes. Her sisters live in the Corona Borealis.Back to the Constellations
