Carpe Diem #816 Draco (Dragon)

!! Sorry that I am publishing this late, there were other circumstances which asked my attention !!

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

What a wonderful kourney among the stars we have. We have visited several constellations already and a few days ago I saw for the very first time that "W", the shape of Cassiopeia as I looked at the nightsky. I didn't know this constellation and today we have another not so well known constellation, Draco (Dragon) and maybe I can see that one tonight, I don't know. The nightsky is polluted by the lights of the cities, so maybe I can see it vaguely. I don't know.
As I was preparing this episode the first thing which came in mind was the Chinese Dragon, but also that "nasty" character in the Harry Potter series, Draco Lucius Malfoy. Can it be that J.K. Rowling had this constellation in mind as she created those famous stories about Harry Potter? I can't say.

Credits: Draco Malfoy

Let us take a look at the mythology behind this constellation ... shall there be a connection with this character from Harry Potter.

Dragons in Greek mythology that may have inspired the constellation's name include Ladon, the dragon who guarded the golden apples of the Hesperides. Hercules killed Ladon during his 12 labors; he was tasked with stealing the golden apples. The constellation of Hercules is depicted near Draco.

In Greco- Roman legend, Draco was a dragon killed by the goddess Minerva and tossed into the sky upon his defeat. The dragon was one of the Gigantes, who battled the Olympic gods for ten years. As Minerva threw the dragon, it became twisted on itself and froze at the cold North Celestial Pole before it could right itself.

Sometimes, Draco is represented as the demon son of Gaia, Typhon. And that could be the source of information on which Rowling based her character Draco Malfoy. Typhon was the most fearsome monster of Greek mythology.

Credits: Draco (Dragon)

Traditional Arabic astronomy does not depict a dragon in modern-day Draco, which is called the Mother Camels. Instead, two hyenas, represented by Eta Draconis and Zeta Draconis are seen attacking a baby camel (a dim star near Beta Draconis), which is protected by four female camels, represented by Beta Draconis, Gamma Draconis, Nu Draconis, and Xi Draconis. The nomads who own the camels are camped nearby, represented by a cooking tripod composed of Upsilon, Tau, and Sigma Draconis. In some mythology, Draco had one hundred magnificent heads, guarded the golden apple tree, and was put in the sky as a constellation for protecting the apples with valor. The constellation has been subject to many more myths, but ones that are obscure.

crystal clear sunlight
reflects all colors in the mirror -
shadow of a dragon

© Chèvrefeuille

This episode is NOW OPEN for your submissions and will remain open until September 13th at noon (CET). I will try to publish our next episode, a new CD Special and a new Time Mchine episode, later on.