The 88 Modern Constellations - Part 2 (Circinus - Dorado)
Last updated: Tuesday January 5th, 2021
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23. Circinus
Area: (85th)
Symbolism: The draftsman's compass
24. Columba
Area: (54th)
Symbolism: The dove, in 2019 to 2020 some OSIRIS-REx students discovered a black hole, which was pretty close to the constellation
25. Coma Berenices
Area: (42nd)
Symbolism: Latin fo "hair of Berenice". Queen Berenice was ruling Cyrenaica from around 250 BC, she was the wife of Ptolemy III Euergetes
26. Corona Australis
Area: (80th)
Symbolism: The southern crown. It has been associated with the myth of Bacchus and Stimula. After Bacchus became an adult he honored his deceased mother by placing a wreath in the sky.
27. Corona Borealis
Area: (73rd)
Symbolism: The northern crown. It's associated with the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur. It's considered to represent a crown given by Dionysus to Ariadne. When she wore the crown at her marriage to Dionysus, he placed it in the heavans to honor their wedding.
28. Corvus
Area: (70th)
Symbolism: The crow or raven. A legend tells that a crow stopped to fetch water for Apollo, so it could eat some figs. Instead of telling the truth to him, he lied and said that a snake (Hydra), kept him from the water, while holding a snake in his talons as proof. When Apollo realised he was lying, he flung the crow, cup (Crater) and the snake (Hydra) into the sky. He further punished the bird by ensuring it would forever be thirsty, both in real life and in the heavens, where the Cup is just out of reach.
29. Crater
Area: (53rd)
Symbolism: The cup (it's associated with the story of Corvus previously, so there's no way copying it again.)
30. Crux
Area: (88th)
Symbolism: The Southern Cross, the smallest constellation of the 88 others. The constellation is known for it's appearance in the flags of:
- Australia (Victoria, ACT, Northern Territory. Let's not forget the territories of Christmas Island and Cocos Islands)
- Brazil (Londrina, Parana/ Palmeira, Parana), also it appears on the coat of arms
- Chile (Magallenes and Chilean Antarctica, Los Lagos Region)
- New Zealand (Tokelau)
- Papua New Guinea (with the bird of paradise, or Apus. It also appears in the province flags of Chimbu, Gulf, New Ireland and Western)
- Samoa
This constellation is shown so much in these countries, since the constellation appears ONLY in the Southern Hemisphere, which these countries are located
31. Cygnus
Area: (16th)
Symbolism: The swan or Northern Cross. The sad thing about Cygnus is that it's not featured in flags, but it has a legend behind it. In Greek mythology, Cygnus has been identified as Zeus who disguised himself as a swan to seduce Leda, Tyndareus's wife, who gave birth to Gemini (Castor and Pollux), Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra.
32. Delphinus
Area: (69th)
Symbolism: The dolphin. The legend says that Poseidon wanted to merry Amphitrite. However, wanting to protect her virginity, she fled to the Atlas Mountains. Her suitor then sent out several searchers, among them a Delphinus, which accidentally stumbled upon her and was able to persuade Amphitrite to accept Poseidon's wooing. Out of gratitude the god placed the image of a dolphin among the stars.
33. Dorado
Area: (72nd)
Symbolism: The dolphinfish