Orion's Belt: The Greek Creation Myth

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The constellation that I chose is the Orion's Belt. I have chosen this constellation because of its orientation in the night sky. The myth behind the constellation is also intriguing to me. The Greek creation myth is one of my personal favorite. Orion's Belt is a group of three stars either vertically or horizontally aligned with each other. It usually disappears from the night sky when the Scorpion constellation appears. Orion's Belt's origin myth can be traced to Greek Mythology. Orion was the brother of two giants that had fought against the Olympian Gods and lost. Orion was a hunter and frequently went on hunts with Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Artemis was quite fond of Orion and spend a lot of time with him. This made Apollo, Artemis's …show more content…

Orion had two other siblings, Daedelon and Helen. Daedelon and Orion were inseparable and frequently went on hunts together. One day Orion and Daedelon went into the forest. Orion saw a beautiful woman, bow in hand, as she moved through the forest as if she was gliding. This was the Goddess of the hunt, Artemis. As soon as Artemis saw Orion, she beckoned him to join her. As Orion looked back at his brother, then to Artemis he made his choice. He went with Artemis. As Daedelon saw his brother being led by Artemis, he shook with rage and called out to him. Orion paused, then turned around to face his brother. "Why are you leaving me brother?" shouted Daedelon. Orion merely shrugged and said "To be with Artemis." Daedelon was further enraged and threw the spear that he carried at Artemis. Orion was wide eyed with shock and his body seemed to move on his own. He leaped in front of Artemis, sacrificing his own life to save her. As he lay dying, Artemis leaned over him and said "Your courageous spirit will be forever remembered." Orion breathed his last and was no more. Artemis turned to Daedelon and said "What you have done will affect you for the rest of your life." So she turned Daedelon into a scorpion forever tormenting travelers and hunters alike. Artemis put Orion in the heavens where he can still be seen today. He burns bright in the night sky, but when he sees the scorpion coming he falters and fades as he sees his brother come

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