Cygnus Is Greek For Swan

The constellation I have chosen is Cygnus. Cygnus is Greek for "Swan." I have chosen this constellation due to it being a fairly interesting creature, the swan. I have always enjoyed the stars - so to see a constellation with such finesse, truly amazes me. Cygnus has a star that is known as "Deneb." This is the brightest star in its constellation. The meaning behind this word, is from the Arabic word "the tail." The star Deneb, represents the tail of the swan, except it is at the top of the cross. The wings of the swan signify the horizon of the cross. The head of the swan, is the double star "Albireo," which is located at the southern point of the star. Cygnus is roughly 1,500 light years away from Earth.

Greek Mythology identifies that Cygnus has been found in many different stories. The famed "King of the gods" Zeus, is known to transform himself from his original form, into a Swan. He has been known to do this, and seduce women such as, Leda. She was the Spartan kings husband. There is also another story in place, which is the story of Phaethon. The story indicates that the son of the sun god, Helios,
wanted to ride the chariot, in which his father owned. The chariot, being vastly more powerful than he was, he lost control. Zeus was forced to use his thunderbolt to destroy the chariot. Thus plummeting Phaethon into the Earth, ending his life. Phaethon's brother, Cycnus, was so upset over the death, that he ended up collecting the bones from the river in which his brother plummeted to. He spent days on end collecting the bones himself. Eventually, the gods took notice, and felt touched. The gods then decided to turn Phaethon's body among the night sky, and turned him into a beautiful swan. Which we now call "Cygnus."

In Greek Mythology, a man named Cynus was a wealthy King. He was not just wealthy, he was kind and generous. He took the country of Greece under his wing, and protected it from all of the malicious attacks it would face. One day, he found himself in the graces of the one person who could change all of that - Zeus. Cynus did not fear the god, and forced him to surrender at the hands of Greece. Zeus threatened to destroy the entire country, all due to the downfall of one man. Days passed, and Cynus prepared for the downfall. A month passed, and the god ventured into the kingdom. Cynus, whom had forgotten of the plague, was surprised. Zeus demanded Cynus to come with him.

Cynus agreed on the decree in which Zeus stated.
"The downfall of Greece, will be that the man who controls it, will no longer control it. He will no longer be capable of handling its riches. Now, you will watch your kingdom in which you built, burn to the ground - from the heavens." Cynus, who was taken back insisted that Zeus find another means of punishment. However, the god had already decreed that Cynus be taken away. "In two days time, you will be sent to the heavens. There you will watch your kingdom perish." One day passed, and Cynus knew what he had to do. He told his wife of the matters, and explained that he had only one option. Hades would have to take him if he decided to steal from the poor, and kill himself. Later that night, Cynus stole all of the countries gold, and threw it into the ocean. There he jumped into the ocean, and eventually
drowned.

Zeus befuddled by this, took Cynus into the sky, and placed him to watch over the country. All the gold was restored to the kingdom, by the graces of Poseidon himself.