Interestly enough, this constellation was also associated with the term "the Asses' Crib" or "the Asses' Manger." The reason for this association is that in the constellation of Cancer there are two stars named "the Asses" (asini). Most ancient sources agree on these asses being placed in the sky by the Greek god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus. However, there are several different variations as to what these asses were and why Dionysus placed them in the constellation of Cancer.
One version is that Dionysus, Hephaestus, and the satyrs (see Sagittarius) were riding into battle against the "giants." They were riding into this battle on the backs of donkeys. The "giants" who could not yet see the oncoming entourage, could hear the braying of the donkeys in the distance. For some odd reason, the sound of the donkeys' braying terrified the "giants" and they fled the scene. I suppose this means that these donkeys were able to make asses out of the "giants." By way of honoring of this achievement, Dionysus arranged for the donkeys to be placed in sky as two stars.
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..I was hoping to continue my little series...maybe making romantic stories of star constellations ain't a Greek thing...Maybe I should try Asian stuffs.
The third story from Thailand is about the brightest star in our night sky, Sirius. This bright star has long been referred to as the dog star, and in Thailand it is the sleeping dog star, Dao Mah Lap. Some elder Thai folks say that it is also called Dao Jone , the robber star and that children born at the time this star rises will likely become a member of a robber gang! They say that when this star is in the night sky, dogs fall fast asleep and are not easily wakened, making the life of the robber much easier. In October, Sirius does not rise until very late at night, around 3am but if you are up then, it is such a bright star it is very easy to see even close to the horizon. If you are up that late and see Dao Mah Lap, you might also try waking up your dog!
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Okay, not Thailand either.
One version is that Dionysus, Hephaestus, and the satyrs (see Sagittarius) were riding into battle against the "giants." They were riding into this battle on the backs of donkeys. The "giants" who could not yet see the oncoming entourage, could hear the braying of the donkeys in the distance. For some odd reason, the sound of the donkeys' braying terrified the "giants" and they fled the scene. I suppose this means that these donkeys were able to make asses out of the "giants." By way of honoring of this achievement, Dionysus arranged for the donkeys to be placed in sky as two stars.
**************************************
..I was hoping to continue my little series...maybe making romantic stories of star constellations ain't a Greek thing...Maybe I should try Asian stuffs.
The third story from Thailand is about the brightest star in our night sky, Sirius. This bright star has long been referred to as the dog star, and in Thailand it is the sleeping dog star, Dao Mah Lap. Some elder Thai folks say that it is also called Dao Jone , the robber star and that children born at the time this star rises will likely become a member of a robber gang! They say that when this star is in the night sky, dogs fall fast asleep and are not easily wakened, making the life of the robber much easier. In October, Sirius does not rise until very late at night, around 3am but if you are up then, it is such a bright star it is very easy to see even close to the horizon. If you are up that late and see Dao Mah Lap, you might also try waking up your dog!
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Okay, not Thailand either.