AQUARIUS
(January 21 - February 19)
Aquarius by KAGAYA
CLICK TO ENLARGE |
The constellation
of Aquarius shows a person pouring water out of a jug. The story
behind this group of stars is that of handsome Ganymede, cup
bearer to Zeus.
Ganymede was the son of king Tros, after whom Troy was named.
The young prince was the most exquisite and handsome youth that
ever lived, and was adored and admired by both gods and mortals.
Zeus, who was especially fond of beautiful people, was totally
infatuated with Ganymedes's external appearance. Thinking it
would be a shame for so handsome a mortal as Ganymede not to
live with the gods, the mighty god disguised himself as an
enormous eagle.
Zeus then flew down to Earth, swept up the handsome youth as he
was tending his sheep on the mountain, and brought him up to
Mount Olympus.
Up high on the heavenly palace, Zeus had to find a justification
for his young protégée to be there. So, he decided that Ganymede
should be given the special honor of being his personal
cupbearer.
The position was considered to be highly distinguished, since
the person who was assigned the duty of the cupbearer, was
responsible for pouring into the glasses of the Olympians the
divine drink called nectar. This was the special drink that
bestowed on the gods their eternal youth and vigor.
Zeus was particularly fond of his cupbearer, so he honored him
by giving him a prominent position on the Greek zodiac, as the
constellation of Aquarius. |
