The idea that the Big and Little Dippers were interpreted as bears by the Greeks may seem bit odd to many due to those lengthy tails, but there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.

As with the case with many Greek tales, it starts with Zeus being a bit of a slut. Zeus had fallen in love with yet another mortal woman and Hera came to know about it. In a jealous rage, she turned the woman into a bear. Fast forward several years and that woman’s son that she left behind became a hunter. One day in the woods, he unknowingly came upon his mother and drew back his bow to shoot her. Seeing what was about to happen, Zeus intervened and turned him into a bear too before he could kill his mother. Taking pity upon the mother and her child, he took them both by the tail and swung them above his head, which dramatically stretched their tails, flinging them into the sky where they are today.

1 year ago

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