Constellation Myths | Aquarius: The Great Flood That Destroyed the World 🌊

Previously, I shared the most common myth about Aquarius: Ganymede, the beautiful boy abducted by Zeus. However, there are other myths associated with Aquarius. This time, let's explore the Great Flood from Greek mythology! 😆 Legend has it that Zeus, angered by humanity's wicked deeds, decided to send a great flood to destroy mankind. Prometheus, foreseeing this, warned his son Deucalion. Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha took refuge in a boat and became survivors of the flood. After the waters receded, the couple asked the gods how to repopulate the earth. The oracle's response was: "Cast the bones of your mother behind you." After much thought, they finally understood: their "mother" was the Earth, and her "bones" were stones! So, they threw stones behind them. The stones thrown by Deucalion turned into men, and those thrown by Pyrrha turned into women, thus repopulating the earth. So, what's the connection between this story and Aquarius? In Hyginus's *Astronomica*, an ancient Roman writer, it's recorded that the ancient Greek poet Hecataeus believed Aquarius represented Deucalion, as a great flood descended from the heavens during his reign. Therefore, the stream of water poured by Aquarius can also be seen as a reminder of that flood which submerged the earth. Interestingly, although this flood brought destruction, it also served as an opportunity for humanity to start anew. Symbolically, water may not only represent destruction but also evoke cleansing and rebirth 🌱