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Resurse bibliografice ale proiectului: Ciauanu, Gh. F., Superstiiile poporului romn. n asemnare cu ale altor popoare vechi i noi, Bucureti, Editura Saeculum I.O., 2007; Evseev, Ivan, Dicionar de magie, demonologie i mitologie romneasc, Timioara, Editura Amaracord, 1998; Ghinoiu, Ion, Vrstele timpului, Bucureti, Editura Meridiane, 1988; GHINOIU, Ion Ghinoiu, Ion, Srbtori i obiceiuri romneti, Bucureti, Ed. Elion, 2004; Ionic, I. Ion, Drgu, un sat din ara Oltului (Fgra). Manifestri spirituale. Reprezentarea cerului, Bucureti, Institutul de tiine Sociale al Romniei, 1944,; Manoloiu, Vlad, Mic Dicionar de astronomie i meteorologie rneasc, Bucureti, Editura Mentor, 1999; Ion Mulea, Ion Brlea, Ovidiu, Tipologia folclorului din rspunsurile la chestionarele lui B.P. Hadeu, Bucureti, Editura Minerva, 1970; Olinescu, Marcel, Mitologie romneasc, Bucureti, Editura Saeculum I.O., 2001; Otescu, Ion, Credinele ranului romn despre cer i stele, Bucureti, Editura Paideia, 2002; Pamfile, Tudor, Cerul i podoabele lui dup credinele poporului romn, Bucureti, Editura Paideia, 2001; Talo, Ion, Gndirea magico-religioas la romni. Dicionar, Bucureti, Editura Enciclopedic, 2001; Vulcnescu, Romulus, Mitologie romn, Bucureti, Editura Academiei Republicii Socialiste Romnia, 1987; Muzeul Astra Observatorul Astronomic. Viziunea Popular despre Cer i Stele. Descoper astrele cu Muzeul ASTRA Proiect de pedagogie muzeal al CNM ASTRA;
*Ghidul de orientare i hri - onka Adrian Observatorul Amiral Vasile Urseanu Bucureti
*Translation of texts adapted from Ion Ottescu -Romanian peasants beliefs in stars and sky. http://www.sarm.ro/newsite/index.php?id=1&zi=29&luna=12&an=2009&act=news Thanks to Andrei Dorian Gheorghe and Alastair McBeth SARM members
CONSTELAII RELIGIOASE
CONSTELAII PASTORAL-AGRARE
CONSTELAII ALE ORIGINII POPORULUI ROMN CARUL MAREPRIZONIERI DACI The Great Chariot CARUL MICNOBILI DACI The Little Chariot
URSA MAJOR
URSA MINOR BALAURUL The Dragon OMUL The Man CIOBANUL CU OILE The Shepherd with His Sheep CRUCEA MARE Great Cross CRUCEA MICA Little Cross VULTURUL DOMNULUI Gods Eagle FATA DE IMPRAT CU COBILIA The Emperors Daughter with a Yoke COASA The Scythe CARUL DRACULUI
AQUILA
CEPHEUS PERSEUS
CASSIOPEIA
ANDROMEDA PEGASUS TOACA The Bell Board CARUL LUI DUMNEZEU The Chariot of God
JGHEABUL The Drain of the Well PUUL The Well CAPRA CU TREI IEZI The She-Goat and her three She-Goats Kids VCARUL -The Herdsman
AURIGA BOOTES
CORONA BOREALIS CALEA RTCIILOR The Road of the Lost Men CRAPII The Carps
HORA CASA CU OGRAD The Ring Dance, the House with a Courtyard DRACUL The Devil
OPHIUCUS
PISCES ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIUS SAGGITARIUS CAPRICORNUS AQUARIUS
BERBECUL The Ram TAURUL-GONITORUL The Bullthe Running Bull FRAII Brothers RACUL The Crayfish CALUL The Horse FECIOARA MARIA The Virgin CNTARUL The Scales SCORPIONUL The Scorpion ARCASUL The Archer APUL The He-goat VRSTORUL He Who Pours Out the Water CEI TREI CRAI TRESFETITELE The three Kings, the Three Saints RARIA, PLUGUL SAU GREBLA,SFREDELUL MARE, SECERA The Little Plough, the Plough, the Rake, the Great Auger, the Sickle CINELE MARE The Mastiff CINELE MIC The Little Dog CLOCA CU PUI The Hatching Hen with Her Chicks ROMULUS I REMUS
ORION
PLEIADES
DETEPTTORUL Alarm Clock VIERII PORCII Boars -Swine DRUMUL PRIZONIERILOR DACI
Ursul se ndrepta spre boi, a ncremenit i el de fric, cnd vzu cum diavolul este strivit de Om i tia c i vine rndul i lui acu - acu. n amintirea acestei lupte, se vd bine i astzi toate acestea pe cer. n mijlocul acestor chipuri, Omul, biruitor, se vede falnic i mre, iar dracul s-a stlcit att de mult zgribulindu-se, nct abia de se mai vede. Astfel c i acolo sus, Omul tot regele firii este, aa cum este i pe Pmnt.
After the worlds creation, the Sky and the Earth were very close together. But man was indifferent, and did not understand this divine generosity (Gods counsel being good under any conditions). Mans indifference was so pronounced that one day a woman threw a childs stained nappy into the sky -although fortunately, it did not actually touch the sky. God became very upset at this, and removed himself and the Sky far away from the Earth, so that we now say of something, It is far away, like the sky. The woman was the culprit, for the woman has a long dress and a short mind or is only good to make trouble. But the Man suffered because of Gods absence, and so he decided to journey to the Sky, looking for the Creator. He knew the road would be difficult and long, so the Man took with him his Great Chariot with four oxen, his Small Chariot, his Votive Light from the wall, the Great Cross of the Church, the Fountain of the Crossroads, his Axe, his Great Auger, his Small Auger, his Sickle, his Scythe, his Great Plough, his Small Plough, his Mastiff from the sheepfold, his Little Dog from the courtyard, the Hatching Hen with her Chicks, the Sow with her Piglets, the Shepherd, the Herdsman, the Charioteer and Hora the Ring Dance from the village. Because he wanted to appear before God like a good Christian, he took with him the most necessary human beings and things, to provide him with cheery company and help in times of trouble. He also took seeds and wheat to till and sow in the skys fields for his future food. Then he set off, and he travelled for a long time, but in the middle of the Skys road, He Who Will Be Killed By The Cross, the Devil, stopped him. Where are you going?, asked the Devil. None of your business, replied the Man. Who are you looking for?, queried the Devil. Leave me alone!, shouted the Man. You are a petulant fellow!, retorted the Devil. Thats not true! You are a scoundrel and an evil one!, was the Mans response. Then the Devil, furious, pulled out from his bag the Dragon, the Violent Serpent, the Great Bear, the Damned Scorpion, the Angry Horse and the Skull, and threw them around the Man to scare him. But the brave Man began to fight with the Devil, and their battle created a great storm beneath the Sky, called by us on Earth the rabid wind. In the meantime, the strong Mastiff and the Little Dog attacked the Horse, so the Horse ran far away. The Shepherd struck the Dragon Balaurul with a yoke. The Herdsman banished the Serpent with the Ring Dance. The Charioteer crushed the Skull with the Axe. With the battle going so badly, the worried Scorpion, which had tried to seize the Man with her claws, burst in a moment, and blood gushed from her eye. Only the oxen of the Great Chariot ran off, when the frightened Great Bear became rigid with terror. Now, we see these events in the sky. In the midst of all these creatures, people and things, the victorious Man appears large and grandiose, while the Devil is very small and huddled. God made the Man to be king in the Sky, as on Earth. Even the Devil recognises the Man as his master! But the Man still has a long way to go to reach God. He trusts in Gods help when he asks Him something with a pure soul.
A myth from Neamt County , Romania about the seven brightest stars from Ursa Major: The Great Chariot, which has four wheels and three pair of oxen (every star of the Shaft is here imagined as a couple of oxen), climbed up a hill. At the top, God said to the Carter, Up hill, up hill with Gods help. But the Carter answered him, With or without God, I am at the top. Then God, in order to humble the man, made the oxen go backwards, damaging a wheel. Ever since, the Chariot has always rounded the Pole backwards.
n versiune tradiional romneasc, constelaia Cassiopeia poart numele de Scaunul lui Dumnezeu, Tronul Ceresc, Mnstirea, pentru c mnstirea este considerat Casa Domnului. Aceast identificare poate fi regsit cu uurin pe cerul nopilor de iarn, cnd forma constelaiei Cassiopeia seamn cel mai mult cu un scaun. Aceast constelaie a fost aleas pentru a ilustra componenta religioas a viziunii populare romneti asupra cerului.
Romanian peasants called constellation Cassiopeia Scaunul lui Dumnezeu (Gods Chair) or Mnstirea (the Monastery), because, of course, a monastery is also Gods Seat or Chair. This identification can be easily found on winter nights sky, when the shape of Cassiopeia resemble the most with a chair. This constellation was chosen to illustrate the religious component of romanian peasants vision about the sky.
Ciobanul cu Oile (the Shepherd with His Sheep) is the reflection onto romanian sky of the constellation Lyra, the star Vega being the Shepherd, and the four stars which seem to follow him, forming a quadrilateral, being the Sheep. A popular expression is: In the days of Lent or Advent, the people can eat cheese only after the Shepherds rising. The Shepherd is seen in the sky until sunrise, say the peasants. The star Vega is also called Luceafrul cel Mare de Miezul Nopii (the Great Star of Midnight), or Luceafrul cel Frumos (the Beautiful Star), or Regina Stelelor (the Stars Queen).
Din steaua Altair i cele dou stele luminoase de o parte i de alta a ei, ranii formau constelaia Fata de mprat cu cobilia, Altair fiind Fata iar cele dou stele crligele cobiliei de care sunt atrnate cofele n care Fata de mprat duce ap spre a rcori sufletele celor mori. Acestei constelaii i se mai spune i Vulturul Domnului.
From the star Altair and the two brighter stars to either side of it, the (romanian) peasants formed a constellation which they called Fata de mparat cu Cobilia (the Emperors Daughter with a Yoke), where Altair is the girl and the other two stars are the Hooks of the Yoke, that support the pails in which the Emperors Daughter carries water in order to refresh the souls of the sinful dead who are in Hell. Aquila is also called Vulturul Domnului (Gods Eagle).
5.COASA(CEPHEUS)The Scythe
Stelele Errai i Alderamin mpreun cu steaua mai mic dintre ele formeaz coporia sau coada coasei. Steaua Alfirk este mnerul sau cornul, iar fierul coasei este format din Steaua lui Garneth, i stelele Zeta i Delta Cephei. Important de subliniat i specific constelaiilor romneti tradiionale: din inventarul uneltelor agricole ale gospodriei, ranii au identificat pe cer numai acele constelaii care semnau cu unealta descris.
Constellation Cepheus is known by romanian peasants as Coasa (the Scythe). The line between the stars Errai and Alderamin forms Coporia or Coada Coasei (the Scythes Tail). The star Alfirk alone is Mnerul Coporii (the Tail Handle -of the Scythe); the Garneth star and the stars zeta and delta form Fierul Coasei (the Scythes Iron Blade). It is important to emphasize and specific to traditional romanian constellations that from their farm agricultural tools inventory the romanian peasants identified in the sky only the constellations resembling to the depicted tool.
In the Well with a Drain romanian traditional constellation we will find the four stars of Pegasus Square being the corners of the Wells edges, with Andromeda as the Drain. Considering only the four stars which form the Great Square of Pegasus: Algenib, Markab, Scheath and Alpheratz, this is called Toaca (the Bell Board), which was imagined by romanian peasants as a bell-board, ritual object of great significance for orthodox christians, object that could not miss from the religious component of the romanian sky.
7. CAPRA CU TREI IEZI (AURIGA) The She-Goat with three She-Goats Kids
Era odat o capr care avea trei iezi. Iedul cel mare i cu cel mijlociu dau prin b de obraznici ce erau; iar cel mic era harnic i cuminte. Vorba ceea : "Sunt cinci degete la o mn i nu samn toate unul cu altul". Poate v amintii povestea Steaua Capella este capra iar cele trei stele mici de lng Capr sunt Iezii caprei. Poporul romn are trei iezi, dou stele oldurile celor doi iezi - a treia stea reprezint capul iedului din dreapta fa de cei doi iedui de pe cerul occidental adic yed prior i yed posterior din constelaia Ophiucus.
The star Capella is Capra (the She-Goat), and the three stars near the She-Goat are Iezii Caprei (the She-Goats Kids), which is also their astronomical name, the Kids. However, the three Kid-stars are also considered a distinct constellation, called Sfredelul Mic or Burghiul (the Little Auger) or Sfredelul Pmntului (the Earths Auger).
This romanian constellation is traditionally called Hora (the Ring Dance). The star Gemma is the Fata Mare din Hor (the Great Maiden in the Ring Dance), and the two smallest stars from the Ring are called Lutarii (the Singers). In other cases, Corona Borealis is known as Casa cu Ograda (the House with a Courtyard). Hora (the Ring dance) is a traditional romanian folk dance, symbol for the joy of life and for group membership, probably coresponding to an ancient ritual that imagine the wheel of life.
The Pleiades are formed into a separate constellation by the romanian peasants, called Closca cu Pui (the Hatching Hen with Her Chicks). In the winter months, the Hatching Hen is their night clock, and they measure time before daybreak by this constellations height in the sky. There are some special peasant beliefs about the Hatching Hen , like he who sees it rising on Great Sunday (the first Sunday after Easter) will have good luck. Sometimes the Pleiades are called the Stars of the Shepherd, and during spring shows them when can sheep eat grass.
Ursa Minor is a circumpolar constellation described by Ptolemy in the II century A.C. It is visible throughout the year in the northern sky and is bordered by the constellations Ursa Major, Draco and Cepheus. The brightest star of this constellation is Polaris, or the Northern Star, the star that Romanians call it " the Skys Votive Light " probably because this star remaines constantly in the same place. Romanian legend about the Great Chariot is closely linked with that of the Little Chariot. It is said that the Emperor Trajan transported the Dacian prisoners to Rome with the Great Chariot, and the Dacian captains with the Little Chariot. Note that in Norwegian mythology, Ursa Major was called Mans Chariot and Ursa Minor the Womans Chariot.
The constellation Gemini is an ecliptic constellation visible especially in the winter nights sky. It is bordered by the constellations Cancer, Canis Minor, Orion, Taurus, Auriga and Lynx. Paradoxically, the brightest star of the constellation is Gemini, Pollux, more "bright" than his brother Gemini, Castor. Romanians called this constellation Brothers(Fraii) and reduced it only to the two brightest stars, which they call Romulus and Remus, the name clearly reminiscent of the formation of Rome. It is interesting that in the southern hemisphere, natives Tasmanian from Australia replaced the two brothers with two black people, who in their beliefs invented the the fire.
Swan or Cygnus is a constellation visible at the zenith, better seen at our country latitude during summer. Its neighbors are the constellations Vulpecula, Lyra, Draco, Cepheu, Lacerta and Pegasus. The brightest star of the constellation is Deneb and together with the stars Vega from Lyra and Altair from Aquila form the summer triangle, or the sailors triangle. Romanian peasants recognized in the Cygnus constellation the sign of a huge cross, perhaps the most important symbol of Christianity. They saw there the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. This association is found in other mythologies, many nation called Cygnus constellation the Northern Cross, a bigger replica of the constellation Crux in the southern hemisphere.
Delphinus is a zenithal constellation easily identifiable in summer nights sky. It is surrounded by the constellations Equuleus, Aquila, Sagitta, Pegasus and Aquarius. The constellation does not contain very bright stars, the brightest being Sualocin and Rotanev with magnitudes close to the visibility limit. However our ancestors saw there "the hand cross carried by the priests on the first day", that is the beautifully adorned cross carried by the Orthodox priests from house to house at the beginning of the year.
Capricorn is an ecliptic constellation identified by Ptolemy, with optimal visibility at this latitude in the autumn. It is bordered by the constellations Sagittarius, Aquila, Aquarium and Piscis Austrinus. The brightest star of the constellation is Capricornus, Deneb Algedi. Capricorn is a mythological creature half goat, half fish, in which god Pan has been metamorphosed to escape the giant Typhon. In Romanian mythology, the constellation is called He-goat or Goats horn. In the Romanian peasant imagination when it lightens in the Goats horn, rainy weather will surely follow.
The constellation Cancer is an ecliptic constellation visible in the sky especially during winter nights. The following constellations: Gemini, Lynx, Leo, Hydra and Canis Minor are in the surrounding area. It is a constellation of very pale stars, the brightest star being Cancer or Altaraf, with a magnitude at the borderline of the human eye visibility. A legend of the peasants in Arges says that while Jesus was on the cross, his torturers wanted to stick a nail in the navel. A crayfish came out of nowhere and stole the spike, slink with him going back, thus thwarting their plan. In gratitude, Jesus blessed the animal putting it in the sky.
Leo is an ecliptic constellation, visible in the clear spring nights sky. It is bordered by Equuleus, Coma Berenices, Virgo, Crater, Sextans and Cancer. The brightest star of the constellation is Regulus, often called "Lion Heart". In Greek mythology, Leo was identified as being the Nemean lion, that had terrorized the region in which habitats and ended finally killed by Hercules in one of the 12 labors of his. Romanian people saw in that zone of the sky the configuration of a horse, calling it The Horse, or Great Gvad, constellation which has a smaller equivalent in Pegasus, Small or Little Gvad.
Draco is a circumpolar constellation visible from this latitude throughout the year, the optimal time for observation is at his culmination in July. The constellation is a broad one and has common border with the constellations Cepheus, Cygnus, Lyra, Hercules, Bootes, Ursa Major, Camelopardis and Ursa Minor. The brightest star of the constellation is Draco, Etamin. The group of stars was named by the Romanians the dragon(Balaur), but not in the sense of fierce snake but rather the Zmeu or Balaur - a character from Romanian folk tales and ballads, which fight with Prince Charming. In the arrangement of the stars in the constellation, two trapeziums can be seen. The middle trapezius was named Twist or Coil and the one from the edge Dragon Head(Capul Balaurului).
Corvus is a Southern constellation described by Ptolemy. From this latitude it can be best seen in May, when the constellation rises about 15 degrees above the horizon in the southernpart of the sky. It is bordered by the constellations Crater, Virgo and Hydra, and the brightest star is Corvus, Gienah, that in a literal translation means "raven wing". In Greek mythology, the raven was the creature sent by the god Apollo to fetch water in a bucket (neighboring constellation). The bird would be late participating at feast of figs, and god, angry, threw it in the sky. In the Romanian peasant vision, raven and dove birds had been sent by Noah from the ark looking land after the flood. The Dove returned with an olive branch in its beak, but the raven never returned, clear indication that dove did find land and raven didnt.
Libra is an ecliptic constellation of weak bright stars, a configuration difficult to recognize even in the June nights sky, when the constellation is at the superior climax. It has common borders with the constellations Virgo, Ophiuchus, Scorpius, Lupus, Centaur and Hydra. The main stars of the constellation are Zubeneschamali and Zubenelgenubi, who once represented the northern and southern claws of Scorpius. When and how did them become component stars of the constellation Balance can not be predicted with certainty. In the Romanian tales about the sky and stars, Libra represent actually the scales used by Christ to weigh the facts of the people at the "doomsday".
The Virgin or Virgo is an ecliptic constellation occupying a large area of the sky, being from this point of view the second largest after Hydra. The constellation contains the autumnal point, the point that marks the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere. The optimal moments to observe the constellations are the May nights when the group is at the culmination. It is surrounded by the constellations Leo, Coma Berenices, Bootes, Ophiuchus, Libra, Corvus and Crater. The brightest star of the constellation is Virgo, Spica, name of Latin origin meaning "ear of wheat". In the Romanian people vision, the constellation is associated with the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. The star Spica, with its whiteness represents the pure heart of Virgin Mary.
Pisces Constellation is one of the ecliptic constellations visible best from Romania at his culmination that takes place in November. On the surface of this constellation it is located one of the two points of intersection of the ecliptic with the celestial equator, the vernal point that marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. Its neighbors constellations are Pegasus, Andromeda, Triangulum, Aries, Cetus and Aquarius. It is a formation composed of very pale stars, the brightest of them, Eta Pisces or Alpherg having a magnitude close to the limit of the human eye visibility. Romanians call this constellation Fish or Carps. In the imagination of the Romanian peasants, they were the two fish that Jesus fed the 5.000 people.
The Ram or Aries is an ecliptic constellation described by Ptolemy in his book Almagest. It is one of the constellations that looks nothing like what the name suggests. It is possible that Ptolemy had associaed the group of stars not with the shape observed, but rather with the period in which it is visible. The formation can be seen in good condition in the autumn nights sky, passing the meridian in December. The constellation has common borders with the constellations Pisces, Triangulum, Perseus, Taurus and Cetus. The brightest star of Aries is Hamal, one of the stars with an angular diameter very accurately measured. In Greek mythology, the constellation represents the ram whose Golden Fleece inspired the story of the Argonauts expedition led by Jason. Here in Romania, farmers see only the animal horns.
Canis Major is an austral constellation best visible in the winter nights sky, having the culmination in February. The Group contains the brightest star of the winter sky, Sirius; only Moon, Venus, Jupiter and occasionally Mercury and Mars are brighter than Sirius. It is also one of the closest stars to our solar system, being at only 8.6 light years away from us. It is bordered by the constellations Lepus, Monoceros, Pupa and Columba. Romanians call this constellation Mastiff and Sirius Star is caled Zoril or Morning star.
Bootes is a zenithal constellation, easily identifiable in the spring-summer nights sky, after the brightest star, Arcturus (which means bear in Greek language). It is easy to be found, extending the shaft of the Great Chariot (Ursa Major). It is bordered by the constellations Draco, Hercules, Corona Borealis, Serpens Caput, Virgo, Coma Berenices, Canes Venatici and the Great Chariot. In some places in Romania, the constellation is associated with a Herdsman(vcar). It takes care of the seven oxes identified in the brightest stars of Ursa Major.
Columba is a Southern constellation created by Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius in the sixteenth century. It's actually a group of stars detached from Canis Major, but it is listed among the 88 official constellations recognized by the I.A.U. It is visible from this latitude only near the horizon in the winter nights sky. Its neighbor constellations are Canis Major, Pupa, Pictor, Caelum and Lepus, and the brightest star is called Phact. Being a relatively new constellation and difficult to see from this latitude, is quite low recognised in Romania. However, our peasants associated this grouping of stars with the dove sent by Noah from the ark at the end of the flood looking for land, dove that was returning to the ship with an olive branch in its beak.
The Aquarius is an ecliptic constellation, best visible during the eveneings of October. The constellation is situated in a sky area often called the sea due to the abundance of constellations with names closely linked with water. It is surrounded by constellation Pisces, Cetus, Sculptor, Piscis Austrinus, Capricorn, Equuleus , Delphinus and Pegasus. The brightest star of the constellation is Sadalsuud, the name coming from Arabic language and meaning the luckiest fortunate man in an aproximate translation. Romanians have the same name for this constellation, and the story of the character come from Greek mythology, where it is identified with Ganymede, the Gods cup-bearer.
Cetus is a large equatorial constellation positioned just below the ecliptic, some planets may occasionally be captured within the boundaries of the constellations. From this latitude can be seen in the best condition during the month of September, when the constellation is at climax. It is bordered by the constellations Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Eridani, Fornax, Sculptor and Aquarius. The brightest star of the constellation Cetus is and is called Deneb Kaitos or Diphda, a giant star which is more than 96 light-years away from us. In Greek mythology, the sea monster Cetus is the one that was going to be given Andromeda as an offering, but Romanians call it Chitul, or the whale that kept the prophet Jonah three days in its belly.
Ecliptic constellation Taurus is probably one of the oldest constellations known since prehistoric times and it is best seen on winter night sky. It has common borders with the constellations Auriga, Gemini, Orion, Eridani, Cetus, Aries and Perseus. The brightest star of the constellation Taurus is or Aldebaran, the star that Romanian peasants called Luceafrul Porcesc (the Bright Star of the Pig), or Porcarul (the Swineherd), because when it rises, the swine wake and grunt, signalling that day is approaching. It is also called Detepttorul (the Alarm Clock), because at its rising, the cockerels begin crowing at the days start. Thus the peasants think that Aldebaran was put especially into the sky as a herald; the workers must wake, the ghosts must return to their graves, and the evil spirits must disappear from the earth when it appears. In Romania the constellation Taurus was also called Gonitorul, but it was reduced to the stars Aldebaran, Ain and Taurus , stars wich form the head of the bull.
The constellation Hercules is a zenithal constellation visible in the summer nights sky. It is bordered by the constellations Ophiuchus, Corona Borealis, Vulpecula, Sagitta, Bootes, Draco and Lyra. The brightest star of the constellation is called Kornephoros and it is positioned in the ancient hero's shoulder. Romanians called the constellation The Man and it is often associated with a lofty hero (Ft Frumos) or a Prince Charming who had to fight in the sky with a Zmeu or Balaur identified by our farmers with the Dragon constellation. As if this fight wouldnt have been enough, our man had to face the Devil aswell, but even he would be defeated. Traces of this struggle can be seen in the sky today. Man, conqueror, is seen lofty and majestic and the Devil is so much beaten that is barely visible.
The ecliptic constellation Perseus is best visible during the month of December. It is bordered by the constellations Triangulum, Andromeda, Cassiopeia , Camelopardis , Auriga , Taurus and Aries. The brightest star of the constellation is Perseus, Mirphak, but a very special star is Algol. For the ancient Arabs, the unclean nature of the Constellation came from this star bizarre behavior that changes its brightness perceptibly about once every three days. Today we know the real cause of this devilish flicker, Algol being a binary variable star with eclipse. For the ancient peasants the constellation is known as the Axe or the Devil's Chariot. In the legend of the Romanian sky, the Axe is the tool with which the Coachman smashed the Skull of the deadman thrown by the devil in his path. The alternative name of Devil's Chariot derives from our ancestors beliefs that with this chariot the sinners souls were transported to hell for eternal damnation.
The constellation Ophiuchus or the Man with the Serpent is an equatorial constellation, but some astronomers frame it in the category of ecliptic as the Sun in his apparently route crosses this constellation. In its surrounding area the following constellations can bee seen: Scutum, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra, Hercules and Aquila. The brightest star of the constellation is Rasalhague, a star located about 49 light-years away. Romanians were identified in this group of stars the Serpent who tempted Eve. Another name for this constellation is the Road of the Lost Men. On this road the sinners will walk, wandering bewildered at the second coming of Christ when they hear his judgment.
Scorpius is an ecliptic constellation with optimal visibility at this latitude in July. It is bordered by the constellations Ara, Norma, Lupus, Libra, Ophiuchus and Sagittarius. The brightest star of the constellation is Antares, a red giant with a diameter of more than 800 times larger than the Sun. Scorpius was put on sky by people living in warmer area, where the animal is well-known and where this constellation climbs higher in the sky. For the peasants of Romania, who did not know much about this animal, the constellation has been likened to a witch, a monster with claws, bloodthirsty, which was thrown by the devil in front of the bold man who attempt to reach God .
Sagittarius is an ecliptic constellation visible in the summer nights sky, the constellation being at culmination in August. From this latitude it can be observed only near the southern horizon, the constellation having a rather complicated pattern which is not easily identifiable. It is bordered by the constellations Scorpius, Ophiuchus, Scutum, Capricorn, Microscopium, Indus and Corona Australis. The brightest star of the constellation is called Kaus Australis and it is almost four times more massive than the Sun. In Greek mythology, Sagittarius is identified as the centaur Chiron, mentor of many legendary Greek heroes: Ajax, Theseus, Achilles, Jason and Hercules. The faith of our ancestors, Sagittarius is seen as a Roman warrior.
Canis Minor is an equatorial constellation occupying a relatively small area of the sky and it can be best observed on the nights of March, when the constellation is at the culmination. It has common borders with the constellations Hydra, Monoceros, Gemini and Cancer. The constellation highlights only two bright stars, the brightest of which is Procyon, the seventh brightest star in the sky. In Greek mythology, Canis Minor is one of the two dogs that followed Orion for the hunting. In Romania, the constellation is called Little Dog or Little Auger. In some places it is called also Little Drill, the star Procyon being the drill handle and Gomeisa, the next brightest star being the tip of the drill.
In the constellation Taurus, the Romanians have identified two other constellations that have no equivalent in the groups of stars from the official list of the International Astronomical Union: the Hatching Hen with her Chicks or the Pleiades and Boars. Therefore, these two constellations are purely Romanian asterisms. Boars are identified by Romanian peasants in the star cluster of Hyades and merges practically with the bull head. Hyades are actually several V-shaped stars, the brightest being Aldebaran, the star from the bull's eye, or the Bright Star of the Pig in Romanian belief. In some areas, the constellation is called the Swine or Sow with her Piglets, the star Aldebaran being the Sow and fainter stars in the asterism sow piglets.
In the constellation Orion, Romanians have identified no less than four other pure Romanian constellations that have no equivalent among the 88 constellations officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Three Saints is one of them representing the Three Hierarchs Basil, Gregory and John. They are located in the three stars in the belt of the hunter, Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka. Other names for this asterism are the Three Kings, Kings from the East, or the three wise men. In some parts, the peasants tell them Staffs, others call them Kings Belt, names that remind of Orion's staff and belt.
The Little Plough is one of the Romaniana constellations formed on the pattern of asterism from the constellation Orion, so it is not found in the official list of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. The Little Plough is an agricultural tool similar with the plow that overthrow the furrows on both sides, forming grooves. The construction of the formation begins from the star Bellatrix, continues with Mintaka, passing through Orion's belt, decends to Saiph star, the Rigel star follows and the quadrilateral closes with the return in Mintaka star. The Little Plough announce the peasants the end of the night before corn harvesting. Alternative names for this region of the sky are Plow or Rake.
The Sickle is a constellation associated exclusively to Romanian sky, formed by the Romanian peasants in an asterism from Orion constellation, so it is not among the 88 official constellations of the International Astronomical Union. The group is located between Three Saints and the star Rigel. It is an arch containing stars eta, c, theta, iota, upsilon, and tau in Orion. The Sickle is part of pastoral and agrarian Romanians constellations. It's interesting that the hoe is completely missing from the inventory of agricultural tools. One of the possible explanations is that the hoe is not a very appreciated tool by the Romanian peasant. Another explanation could be that the object does not resemble any stellar configuration.
The Great Auger is a Romanian constellation identified By Romanian peasants in an asterism from the constellation Orion. The Auger handle is formed by the three stars in Orion's belt and the tip is located in the star Betelgeuse , facing the star Pollux in the constellation Gemini, star associated by Romanians with a treasure. Our peasants believed that when you approach the end of the world, the Auger will approach the treasure and it will pierce. Then all the gold in treasure will flow on earth, but instead all water on the planet will dry. Thirsty people seeing the gold and silver brightness will run towards it thinking that it's a lake. There the Antichrist will wait and will give to the ones who will worship him one barrel of water and a chariot with bread. The faithless and greedy shall worship him, but drinking water and eating bread will become more thirsty and hungry than before. Righteous preferred to die and Christ met them with a piece of wafer and a glass of wine that quench the hunger and thirst. It will be "the weather of afterwords" and Christ will begin " last judgment " or "doomsday " .
Ghid
Dac una din dorinele tale este s nvei cerul, o poi ndeplini mai uor dect crezi. Ai nevoie de hri, timp liber seara/noaptea i rbdare. Este la fel ca atunci cnd vrei s nvei un ora mergnd pe jos. S nvei cerul nseamn s recunoti constelaiie, stelele mai strlucitoare pe nume i planetele. Pare greu pentru c cerul este aparent n micare i sunt att de multe stele Cerul este n micare i dac nvei o constelaie nu o vei mai gsi uor dup cteva ore. Secretul este urmtorul: privete-l la aceeai or i nu se va schimba. Vei gsi constelaia pe care ai nvat-o alaltieri n acelai loc pe cer i poimne. Sunt multe stele pe cer, dar constelaiile sunt compuse din cele mai strlucitoare, cteva sute de stele. n plus nu trebuie s i bai capul cu toate pentru la nceput vei nva doar cteva constelaii.Ca s poi recunoate constelaiile ai nevoie de hri ale cerului pentru momentul cnd te-ai hotrt s iei afar. Gsii asemena hri pentru fiecare anotimp n materialul de fa, trasate pentru ara noast (adic valabile de orinde te-ai afla n Romnia). V voi da cteva indicaii dar nu prea multe, pentru c e mai bine s nvai stelele singuri i nu n grup.Iat cum se face. n cteva zile gsii punctele cardinale pentru locul vostru de observaii: dimineaa gsii locul de unde rsare Soarele acela este aproximativ estul. La mijlocul zilei, ora 13-14, privii unde se afl Soarele acela este sudul. Seara cutai locul unde apune Soarele acesta este aproximativ vestul. Momentan nu v batei capul cu nordul (care totui se afl n spatele tu dac priveti nspre sud). Folosind harta pe luna ianuarie, ieii afar seara n jurul orei 21 i identificai punctele cardinale. Nu mai avei Soarele dar sunt stele pe cer. Privii c pe hart sunt trecute punctele cardinale: scrie spre vest, est, nord i sud. Pentru ca harta voastr s corespund cu cerul trebuie s o orientai dup punctele cardinale de pe teren. Este simplu: partea cu spre sud trebuie ndreptat nspre sud. Dac v ncurcai inei minte un lucru: harta trebuie inut n sus adic s o privii de jos n sus i nu invers! Dup ce ai neles cum se orienteaz harta, cutai pe ea o stea strlucitoare (cu simbolul negru mare). Se afl una nspre sud, nu departe de orizont, numit Sirius. Pe hart bineneles, dar pe cer? Cutai-o i pe cer. Privii nspre sud, nu departe de orizont i o vei vedea. Este strlucitoare i probabil c va sclipi puternic. Sirius este cea mai strlucitoare stea de pe cer aa c nu v pierdei timpul cu orice stea pierdut prin galaxie Pe hart e Sirius, pe cer la fel, dar cum putei fi mai siguri c ce vedei voi este chiar Sirius? La fel de simplu cutai pe cer stele vecine cu ea, dispuse n anumite forme (cercuri, linii, triunghiuri, ptrate) i gsii-le i pe hart. De exemplu n dreapta sus se vd trei stele n linie, nu la fel de strlucitoare dar ndeajuns pentru a-i atrage atenia. Sunt i pe hart? nvarea cerului are avantajele sale: n primul rnd te ntorci n timp, atunci cnd orientarea pe teren se fcea dup stele. Stelele pe care le vedei acum sunt aceleai folosite de Cristofor Columb ca s ajung la rm sau de arabii cltori prin deert. i de ce nu, aceleai folosite de tranii romni c s i dea seama cnd pot semna i culege. Fr s vrem exist o legtur ntre noi i trecut al crei liant este cerul. n al doilea rnd stelele v vor nsoi pretutindeni. Fie c eti n Texas, n Suedia sau n Japonia, cnd vezi stelele te gndeti la locul de unde le -ai nvat. Ajungi fr s vrei acas. n al treilea rnd, dac te rpesc extrateretriii poi s i dai seama unde te -au dus dup cum se modific forma constelaiilor! NVAREA CONSTELAIILOR Fiecare nceptor n astronomie crede c are nevoie de un telescop. Dup lungi cutri i dup procurarea unui instrument astronomic, va descoperi c nu poate gsi nimic pe cer. Problema este, desigur, necunoaterea constelaiilor i a stelelor principale. Din pcate muli nu gsesc ajutor i i depoziteaz instrumentul astronomic n dulap sau debara. Dar, cu puin ajutor i cteva ore petrecute afar, noaptea, pot transforma un novice ntr-un maestru al gsirii obiectelor cereti, prin orice fel de instrument astronomic. Dac citii aceste rnduri nseamn c ai gsit ajutor i suntei deja la cteva zile nainte de a recunoate o constelaie.
Primul lucru de care avei nevoie este o hart stelar. Dar ce fel de hart stelar? Nu avei nevoie de un atlas scump ci de o hart stelar simpl pe care sunt trecute stele strlucitoare. Gsii acest tip de harti n acest ghid sau la rubrica harta unde sunt date din lun n lun. Acestea v vor ajuta s gsii cele mai uoare constelaii, cum ar fi Carul Mare (Ursa Major), steaua Polar, Orion i chiar triunghiul de var. Dar odat ce ai gsit o harta trebuie s i nvai s o cititi. Chiar dac pare complicat s titi c este mai usor de descifrat dect o hart geografic.Cele mai evidente simboluri sunt cercurile de diferite mrimi. Acestea reprezint stelele. Observai c cercurile vin n mrimi diferite: cercurile mari reprezint stele strlucitoare iar cele mici stele slabe ca strlucire. Pe hrile noastre sunt trecute toate stelele care pot fi vzute cu ochiul liber dintr-un ora. Unele stele sunt unite cu linii. Acestea sunt liniile imaginare care ne dau forma constelaiilor. Toate aceste figuri sunt denumite ntr-un fel. Denumirile sunt date lng fiecare constelaie i sunt n limba latin. Se mai observ un cerc ce delimiteaza harta de restul hrtiei. Este orizontul. Desigur c voi nu aveti un orizont att liber dect dac v aflai pe cmp. n oraele aglomerate cldirile ne mpiedic sa vedem orizontul deci nu ncepei s cutai stelele aflate n acea zon. Pe orizont sunt trecute punctele cardinale, acestea ajutnd la orientarea hrii. Acum v puteti ntreba unde este trecut punctul cel mai ridicat de pe cer, adic cel de deasupra capului. Ai ghicit: este trecut n mijlocul hrii. n astronomie se numeste zenit. Punctul opus zenitului se numeste nadir i se afl sub orizont i sub picioarele dumneavoastr. Pe hart sunt trecute i alte obiecte, mpreun cu numele stelelor (nume propriu sau litera din alfabetul grecesc). Calea Lactee este dra gri iar cu linie ntrerupt este trecut traseul aparent al Soarelui, numit ecliptic. Numai pe ecliptic putei gsi planetele i Luna. Dac vedei un astru care nu e stea i pare planet, cutai constelaia n care se vede i dac pe acolo trece ecliptica sunt anse mari ca astrul s fie o planet. NCEPUTUL Odat ce afar s-a ntunecat, luai una din hrile ce corespund lunii n care v aflai, ieii afar i privii cerul. nainte s ncercai s identificai prima constelaie trebuie s aflai unde sunt punctele cardinale.O putei face dup Soare sau dup stele, prima variant fiind recomandat nceptorilor. De fapt este simplu: Soarele rsare dinspre est, apune nspre vest i se afl la mijlocul zilei nspre sud. Exist ns o stea ce ntodeauna indic nordul, n orice luna, zi, or sau an. Se numete steaua Polar i sigur ai auzit de ea. Poate avei impresia c steaua Polar este cea mai strlucitoare stea de pe cer, fiind att de important. Nu este aa. Este o stea slab ca strlucire, a 50-a de pe cer. Din fericire steaua Polar este usor de gsit. Dac o facei vei nva i cteva constelaii. Pentru a identifica steaua Polar trebuie s recunoatei Carul Mare. Este cea mai uor de gsit constelaie i se vede tot timpul anului. Privii nspre nord i cutai pe cer un grup de apte stele ce formeaz un dreptunghi cu un mner. Arat mai mult ca un polonic. Cum poziia constelaiei pe cer variaz de-a lungul anului, v rugm s folosii hrile de mai jos. Ai gsit Carul Mare sau Ursa Major cum i se spune n astronomie.Dupa ce ai identificat Carul Mare privii ultimele dou stele din patrulater (din car). Acestea indic drumul spre steaua Polar. Trasai o linie imaginar de la steaua mai slab la cea strlucitoare i mergei cu privirea pn cnd ntlnii o stea cu strlucire asemntoare cu a stelelor de la care ai pornit. Aceasta este steaua Polar. Dac nu suntei siguri c ai identificat-o bine, mergei n cas (sau ateptai) o jumtate de or, apoi ieii i vedei dac steaua Polar s-a micat n raport fa de cldirile de pe teren (fata de copaci sau orizont). Daca nu s-a micat este steaua Polar. Acum tii s identificai Carul Mare i steaua Polara. Steaua Polara indic nordul ceresc. Punctul cardinal nord este proiecia punctului ceresc nord pe orizont (linia dus din stea perpendicular pe orizont). Dac titi unde e nordul gsii uor celelalte puncte cardinale. Punctele cardinale v ajut sa orientai hrile din aceasta publicaie. Luai o hart i orientai -o astfel nct nordul, estul, sudul i vestul de pe hart sa corespund cu cele de pe teren. Va trebui s privii harta de jos n sus pentru o corespondena mai bun. Acum putei s cutai alte constelaii.