THE NAMES OF many of the constellations are strongly tied to Greek and Roman legends, but the indigenous people living in the Southern Hemisphere did not visualise star groups in the same manner as the ancient Greeks.

The astronomical mythology, except for cosmological myths, of the various Southern Hemisphere peoples seemed to be primarily concerned with the appearance or disappearance of certain prominent stars, which may have signified the times for religious rituals or agricultural acts. Relatively few elaborate legends have been recorded that relate to a star group, except for myths about the Pleiades, which seems to have piqued the imagination of many diverse ethnic groups.

LEGEND OF ANDROMEDA

See the legends of Cassiopeia and Perseus.

LEGEND OF AQUARIUS

Ganymede was a very kind and gentle shepherd boy. One day, while Ganymede was tending his sheep and playing with his dog Argos on the plains of Troy, the god Zeus sent Aquila, his giant eagle, to swoop down and take Ganymede to the temple of the gods to become Zeus's favourite water carrier. Ganymede was then given ambrosia, the food of the gods, to make him immortal. Wherever Zeus went, Ganymede would accompany him, riding on the back of Aquila.