Capricorn – The Ancient Greek Myth Behind the Zodiac Sign

Capricorn. Photo by D. Hellandbrand on flickr

The zodiac sign of Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

The zodiac sign of Capricorn, represented as a sea-goat, has one of the oldest mythological ties with Greek mythology.

The constellation is sometimes wrongly thought of as Amalthea, the she-goat, which raised the infant, Zeus, after his mother, Rhea, saved him from being eaten by his father, Cronos (Saturn).

Capricorn is identified as the satyr Pan, the god with a goat’s horns and legs, who saved himself from the monster, Typhon, by giving himself a fish’s tail, becoming a sea – goat and diving into a river, or, as the sea – goat, Pricus.

A detail of Plate 16 of Uranographia by Johann Bode (Berlin, 1801) with Capricorn and Globus Aerostaticus

10th sign of the zodiac

December 22 to January 19

Symbol: Sea Goat

Element: Earth

Ruling Panet Saturn

Capricornus as a sea-goat from Urania’s Mirror (1825).

The Winter Solstice, in the northern hemisphere, no longer takes place while the sun is in the constellation Capricornus, as it did until 130 BCE, the constellation of Capricorn, is still used to show the position of the solstice.

The latitude of the sun’s most southerly position though, continues to be called the Tropic of Capricorn, a term which also applies to the line on the Earth at which the sun is directly overhead at local noon on the day of the winter solstice.

The constellation Capricornus as it can be seen with the naked eye.

The Ancient Greek Myth Behind the Zodiac Sign of Capricorn:

The Myth of the Sea-Goat

Roman floor mosaic (approximately the first century BC through 375 BC) shows the winged god Eros riding an Aigipan (sometimes a name for Pan), or sea goat of the constellation Capricorn. Museo Nazionale Romano in Rome, Italy

Roman Art. Eros Riding the Goat-Fish Aegipan. Mosaic, end of 2nd century AD. Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome, Italy

There are various versions of the Greek myth of the Sea-Goat, a legendary creature that is half goat and half fish associated with the zodiac sign of Capricorn.

The one exception is the myth of the goat nymph, Amaltheia, who is said to have raised the infant Zeus, in a cave on Mount Ida on the island of Crete after he was saved by his mother, Rhea, from being devoured by his father Cronus (Saturn).

Amaltheia

Cronus devoring his son, Zeus. Goya, c. 1823.

As a reward for her good deed, Amaltheia, is said to have been placed amongst the stars as the constellation Capricorn by Zeus, who grew up to be king of all Greek gods.

Amalthea became confused with the male Sea-Goat of the Zodiac, Capricorn, with whom there is no relation.

The Education of Jupiter (Zeus) on Mount Ida in Crete, with Amalthea, the she – goat. Hermann Steinfurth.

Capricorn and the Myth of the Sea-Goat Pan

The satyr, Pan, Greek God of Shepherds, Woodlands and Pastures, with a body half man, half goat is usually depicted with horns and carrying panpipes.

Pan liked nothing more than to spend his days frolicking in the green pastures, lush forests and fast flowing rivers of Arcadia his homeland.

Satyrs are, more often than not, in a state of permanent ‘arousal ’ and so it was with Pan who was forever on the lookout for an attractive wood nymph (dryad) with whom there may be a chance of a roll in the hay (His amorous natureand love of nature have become part of the character of people born under this sign).

The satyr Pan

One day, Pan’s party, attended by many of the Greek gods, was interrupted by Typhon, a giant with the body of a man and legs which were coils of vipers that would hiss and attack as he moved.

Typhon by Stefan Kopinski.

In order to escape the monster Typhon, the gods transformed themselves into animals and ran away; all except Pan, who jumped into the river, where his lower half, emerged in water, became a fish, his upper-half, however, was still dry and remained a goat; Pan had been transformed into a sea- goat.

Upon seeing that Typhon had caught hold of Zeus, Pan scrambled out of the river and came to his rescue, ever grateful, Zeus promised to place Pan, as a sea – goat, in the skies as the constellation of Capricorn.

Capricorn and the Myth of the Sea-Goat Pricus

Pricus was the father of all Sea-Goats, intelligent and honorable creatures, who could speak and think as humans.

The young Sea-Goats, loved to leave the sea and soak up the sun on the beach, the longer they lazed in the sun though, the more they became to resemble regular goats, their fish tails became legs, the hot sun addled their brains, causing them to be unable to speak or think.

Their father, Pricus, after losing some of his children to the land, where they became mindless imbeciles, devises a plan to stop them ever reaching the shore again.

Pricus the sea – goat

Pricus, who had been blessed with the gift of being able to reverse time, uses his ability and reverses time which forces his children to return to the sea.

Not affected by this reversal of time, Pricus, is the only one who knows what lays ahead for the Sea-Goats and forbids them to put foot on shore ever again.

Children will be children and whatever Pricus did, the little Sea-Goats managed to find their way to the shore where they once again, became regular goats.

Realizing that he cannot control the future of his children, Pricus, in his misery, begs

Chronus the personification of time, to let him die, as he cannot bear to be the only Sea-Goat left.

Chronos, Father Time by Ros Kovac.

Taking pity on him Chronos instead allows Pricus to live in the sky as the constellation Capricorn, where he can see his children from the stars, even on the highest mountain tops.

Personality Traits of Capricorn

Capricorn traits

Those born under this sign are generally pragmatic, ambitious and disciplined although they can also be somewhat stoic and pessimistic.

Capricorns are typically traditional and serious by nature with an inner state of independence.

As masters of self-control they have the ability to lead the way, make realistic plans and manage many people who work for them at any time, they learn from their mistakes and get to the top based on their experience and expertise.

Capricorn traits

Positive Traits

(Traits Source: Ganeshaspeaks)

Loyal

Capricorns are pure souls. They have got a heart of gold. They are basically just genuine and loyal to the core. One can not measure their depth of kindness and willingness to help others. One can depend on a Capricorn to be there when in need and they will defend you, no matter what it may entail. They take their responsibilities very seriously.

Hardworking

Capricorns are committed and hard workers to the core. They very well know that only hard work will bring success in the long run. People with this star sign are a clear example of hard work and accomplishment.

Team player

A Capricorn finds it extremely easy to merge into a group and will look like one of its original members. They are a great team player. Anyone who hires a Capricorn is lucky to have them on their team. They are the valued spot in the team.

Ambitious

Capricorn is deeply driven to succeed and fiercely ambitious. Capricorns are very determined and always work towards a better and more prosperous future.

Classy

If any word can truly describe a Capricorn then it sure is Classy. Not only do they look classy but they act classy too. Capricorns are always Elegant, Charming, and Compassionate. They don’t follow crazy trends unless they feel they can make it classy.

Negative Traits

Capricorn negative traits

Overly Serious

Capricorns are overly serious and sober individuals having a strong sense of built-in responsibility to protect and provide for others. Reserved personality of Capricorn and serious demeanor can make them appear standoffish, aloof, and rigid to the point of not being fun.

Critical

Capricorns are often overly critical to others. They expect others to live by their rules which might put pressure on their near ones.

Melancholy

There could be times when the Capricorns might seem melancholy and also depressed. They have the tendency to become melancholy due to which they want someone who can make them happy as well.

Unforgiving

One of the unknown traits of Capricorns is their unforgiving nature. They are notoriously unforgiving when it comes to perceiving others as lacking in ambition and diligence.

Suspicious

Capricorns are very suspicious when things are too easy, as they hate when things are going too well and think everyone is out to get them. They are naturally suspicious people and will trust you until you give them a reason not to.