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The Pleiades constellation embodies a rich tapestry of Greek mythology, agricultural significance, and artistic inspiration. Originating from the tale of Atlas's daughters transformed into stars to escape Orion, these celestial sisters also marked key agricultural timelines. Their sorrowful legacy and beauty have permeated poetry and literature, from Sappho to Tennyson, while their astronomical and religious relevance continues to captivate.
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According to Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione
Catasterism
Zeus transformed the Pleiades into stars, placing them in the sky, in an event known as catasterism
The myth suggests that the sisters ended their own lives, and Zeus immortalized them as a star cluster, symbolizing the interplay between human emotions and celestial phenomena
The Greek poet Hesiod notes that the heliacal setting of the Pleiades signaled the end of the sailing season and the beginning of the agricultural cycle, making them crucial for farmers
The Pleiades served as vital celestial guides for ancient agricultural societies, in addition to their cultural symbolism
The Pleiades have been a source of artistic inspiration, symbolizing themes such as the passage of time, beauty, and isolation, as seen in works by Sappho and Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The Victorian era poet Tennyson described the Pleiades as a "swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid," showcasing their aesthetic appeal
The myth of the lost Pleiad, associated with Merope, may have an astronomical basis if one of the stars was less visible in antiquity
The Pleiades are mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Job, highlighting their splendor and elusiveness as a symbol of divine beauty and the mysteries of the cosmos
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Pleiades' parentage
Daughters of Titan Atlas and sea-nymph Pleione.
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Atlas's punishment
Condemned to hold up the sky for eternity.
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Orion's pursuit of Pleiades
Hunter Orion chased the Pleiades before their transformation.
