THE CELESTIAL CARTOGRAPHER: Uncovering Interconnections in the Night Sky

Illustration by Patrick Zolp-Mikols.

By Francisco Silva

The night sky has always been a source of fascination for humanity, inspiring cosmic drama and stories, legends, and cultural beliefs that span across time and civilizations. As we gaze up at the star-studded expanse of the night sky, it is fascinating to explore the threads that weave together seemingly disparate cultures and mythologies. Let us journey through time and space in this article, tracing the connections between ancient civilizations and the celestial ballet that has captivated human imagination for millennia.

I will speak of Ursa Major, the Great Bear. In modern times, it is often referred to as the Big Dipper, due to light pollution obscuring some of its stars. It is one of the most familiar and visible constellations in the Northern Hemisphere, and it's worth noting that Ursa Major has played a significant role in the different cultures of the human race.

The ancient Sumerians, who hailed from Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), were keen observers of the night sky. They developed one of the earliest known systems of celestial division and associated various constellations with their myths and Gods. The Sumerians saw a divine shepherd guiding his flock through the heavens, while the Babylonians interpreted Ursa Major as a cosmic wheel, symbolizing time and destiny's ever-turning hand.

Across Asia, Ursa Major has played pivotal roles in several culture's belief systems and traditions. In Chinese culture it is known as "The Great Chariot," symbolizing the celestial charioteer with a wheel formed by seven stars from Ursa Major. It also represents justice (Li) and wisdom (Zhi). In Japanese mythology, Ursa Major is linked to the story of the celestial weaver, who uses her loom to create the fabric of reality itself. In Vietnamese mythology, it is known as the The Big Rudder. The imagery of a rudder suggests a navigational tool, emphasizing the role of these stars in guiding travelers across the night sky. 

In India, the constellation is associated with the Sapta Rishis, the seven sages. Meanwhile, in African cultures, Ursa Major is linked to the myth of the "Wild Hunt," where a group of celestial hunters, led by a charioteer, ride across the sky. 

One fascinating thing about this group of stars is how many different cultures have seen a bear in them. Moreover, these interpretations often overlook the bear’s short tail and depict a long tail instead, adding to the mystery of how these stories came to be, how they have been passed down from person to person, and how they have traveled and evolved into new tales.

Before the Romans named the constellation Ursa Major, the Greeks called it Artos, meaning bear. Interestingly, this word also links with the English word 'Arctic,' referencing the northern regions where Zeus and Callisto's story unfolded. It is in the Artic where Zeus discovers and seduces the beautiful young Callisto, and they have a kid called Arcas. When Zeus’ wife, the goddess Juno, finds out, she tries to punish Callisto and Arcas, but Zeus protects them by disguising them as bears and placing them in the heavens.

In the Americas, many indigenous stories include Ursa Major as a bear. Inuit groups saw a bear in the constellation, with the handle representing its tail. In Micmac and Algonquin mythology, Ursa Major represents a bear being hunted by seven hunters. The Lakota view Ursa Major as Wicasa, a powerful hunter who leads the constellation. And the Pawnee believe it's seven brothers who were cast into the sky. The Iroquois see the movement of Ursa Major across the heavens as part of the story of their changing seasons. They tell tales of hunters chasing the bear; in autumn, the bear is caught and its blood turns the leaves red.

Let's now move to the deserts of North America, and explore the stories of indigenous peoples in the Great Basin region. The lower Colorado River Valley, which includes parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada, has a rich cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years. The ancient cultures of this region have long been connected by trade networks, ceremonial traditions, and mythological narratives that span vast distances.

To the Mojave people, the big dipper is the fisherman throwing a large net into the water to catch the fish in the Milky Way. The Navajo have Náhookos Bika’ii, The Northern Male. This figure is a man lying down on one of his sides, representing the father and protector of the home.

Aztec mythology tells a different story about Ursa Major. This star cluster depicts Tezcatlipoca, the cunning sorcerer who was also Quetzalcoatl's troublesome brother. A door slammed shut on him, costing him one of his legs. When his mischief went too far, Quetzalcoatl turned him into a three-legged jaguar and banished him to the night sky. Bound to an eternal dance around Polaris, Tezcatlipoca hops on one leg in the east, walks on his hands near the west, and crawls on his back when high above us. We can hear the echoing of these sacred stories in the relatives of the Aztecs, the people of the Great Basin. For example, the Shoshone and Paiute tribes have tales about a three-legged deer or coyote. These stories often revolve around themes of transformation, balance, and the cyclical nature of life.

As we gaze upon the Ursa Major this spring, let us remember that its stories are not just distant echoes, but vibrant threads connecting humanity across time and space. Each culture's interpretation is a unique lens through which we can better understand ourselves and our place in the universe, and view the interconnectedness of all things.

STARGAZING TIPS

Ursa Major will be visible in the northern sky this spring, with its seven bright stars forming an inverted ladle shape. You can find Polaris (the North Star) shining brightly near the top of constellation. As you look at the Big Dipper part of Ursa Major, the two bright stars at the end of the dipper’s “cup” will point you to Polaris, which is the star that forms the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper constellation. This star marks the celestial pole and is a helpful navigational aid.