"Even death though could not separate the two brothers, for Pollox willingly gave up his own mortality, with Zeus transforming the twins into the Gemini constellation."
Facts[]
- The zodiacal constellation of Gemini remains one of the 88 modern constellations, being the 30th largest in the sky, occupying an area of 514 square degrees. The name Gemini comes from Latin, and it translates to twins. The constellation is associated with the mythological twin's Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology.
- Gemini is Latin for "twins," although the twins identified with the constellation depend on the culture, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. In Egyptian astrology, the constellation was identified with twin goats, while Arabian astrology said it was twin peacocks.
Myths[]
In Greek mythology, the Twins, as represented by Gemini were the Dioscuri, two brothers named Castor and Pollux.
Castor and Pollox were the offspring of Leda, queen of Sparta, but whilst the father of Castor was King Tyndareus, Pollux was the son of Zeus. This meant that whilst Castor was mortal, Pollux was said to have been immortal.
The two brothers were said to be inseparable, and were always found in the company of the other. Famously, Castor and Pollux would rescue their sister Helen when she was abducted by Theseus, and were also named as Argonauts and hunters of the Calydonian Boar.
Castor though would be killed when the brothers fought with Idas and Lynceus. Even death though could not separate the two brothers, for Pollox willingly gave up his own mortality, with Zeus transforming the twins into the Gemini constellation.
Gallery[]
| Zodiac Constellations | ||
| Constellations : | Aries ✧ Taurus ✧ Gemini ✧ Cancer ✧ Leo ✧ Virgo ✧ Libra ✧ Scorpio ✧ Sagittarius ✧ Capricorn ✧ Aquarius ✧ Pisces | |