Constellation myths · Star names
Star Stories
Constellation myths and folklore, traditional Japanese star names and the Chinese view of the sky. How the same stars are named and told in different places, compared side by side with sources.
Myths and folkloreJapanese and Chinese star namesCompared across culturesSources cited
One sky, many ways of seeing it
In Greece, the three stars in the middle of Orion are a hunter's belt. In Japan they were seen as a hand drum or a plough, and in China they belong to the mansion called Shen (参宿).
This site puts the myths of each constellation side by side with the names used in Japan, China and other parts of the world. When a story has more than one version, we give each one with its source.
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CONSTELLATION MYTHS
Constellation myths
Constellation mythsST-01The myth of Orion made simple: the scorpion, Artemis, and what Japan and China called the same starsThe myth of Orion in its scorpion and Artemis versions, with sources. Why Orion and Scorpius never meet, and Japanese, Chinese and other names for the same stars.
Constellation mythsST-02The myth of Scorpius made simple: Orion's killer, Antares, and the fishhook seen from Japan to PolynesiaThe myth of Scorpius, version by version, with ancient sources. Why it never meets Orion, Japanese and Chinese names for Antares, and Maui's fishhook in the Pacific.
Constellation mythsST-03The myth of Gemini made simple: how Pollux shared his immortality with Castor, and what Japan and China call the twin starsThe myth of Gemini version by version: who fathered the twins, how Castor died, and how Pollux shared his immortality. Plus Japanese, Chinese and Aboriginal names.02
STAR NAMES
