• Navajo: Ursa Major
• Lakota: Constellation of the Hand
• Hindu: Rishis
• Greek: Scorpius
• Greek: Draco
• Greek: Heracles
• The Nemean Lion
• The Lernaean Hydra
• Greek: Cancer
• Greek: Orion
• Greek: Taurus
• Greek: Aquila
• Greek: Andromeda
• Greek: Cassiopeia
• Greek: Cepheus
• Greek: Pegasus
• Greek: Perseus
• The Big Dipper and Bootes
• Greek: Cygnus

"The Abduction of Europa"by Francois Boucher (1703-1770). Painting (1734).
The princess Europa is seated on the back of a beautiful white bull with her playmates nearby, tending to her and handing her garlands of flowers.
Click on image for full size
Image courtesy of the Reunion des Musees Nationaux, France.

Europa

Zeus changed into a white bull and appeared in the sea shore where Europa was playing. The appearance and movements of the bull were so gentle that Europa spread flowers about his neck and dared to climb upon his back.

But suddenly, the bull rushed away over the sea with Europa. He took her to Crete. After seeing the bull was Zeus, Europa married him.

At last, Zeus reproduced the shape of the magic white bull in the stars. Even today we can recognize its shape in the constellation Taurus.

You might also be interested in:

Traveling Nitrogen Classroom Activity Kit

Check out our online store - minerals, fossils, books, activities, jewelry, and household items!...more

Europa

Europa was first discovered by Galileo in 1610, making it one of the Galilean Satellites. It is Jupiter's 4th largest moon, 670,900 km ( miles) from Jupiter. Europa's diameter is about half the distance...more

Hyades

For the ancient Greeks, the Hyades were daughters of Pleione and Atlas, a giant who carried the heavens on his shoulders. The Hyades had several sisters, such as the Pleiades and the Hesperides. They were...more

The Myth of Jupiter and Callisto

Callisto was a river goddess. Her great grandfather was the river god Inachus. Callisto was the favorite companion of the goddess Diana. She accompanied Diana on the hunt and helped her and looked after...more

Tour - The Myth of Jupiter and Callisto

One day the god Jupiter saw the beautiful Callisto and fell in love with her. Knowing that Diana had warned Callisto about men and gods, Jupiter pretended he was the goddess Diana. In this disguise, Jupiter...more

Tour - The Myth of Jupiter and Callisto

Some time after Callisto had been forced out of the company of Diana, she gave birth to a boy child named Arcas. Jupiter's wife Juno was mad and changed Callisto into a bear. Callisto was afraid and she...more

Europa

Europa was a beautiful princess. According to Greek mythology, Europa was seduced by Zeus, the king of the gods. Zeus fell in love with Europa after seeing her gathering flowers by the sea. Zeus changed...more

Apollo

In Greek mythology, Apollo was the son of Zeus (Jupiter) and Leto (Letona). His twin sister is Artemis (Diana). He was the god of the Sun, and was also a fine musician and healer. He was known as the god...more