Pisces

Lore & Background

Pisces originates from some composition of the Babylonian constellations Šinunutu4 'the great swallow' in current western Pisces, and Anunitum the 'Lady of the Heaven,' at the place of the northern fish. In first-millennium BC texts known as the Astronomical Diaries, part of the constellation was also called DU.NU.NU (Rikis-nu.mi, 'the fish cord or ribbon'). Pisces is associated with the Greek legend that Aphrodite and her son Eros either shape-shifted into forms of fishes to escape, or were rescued by two fishes. In the Greek version according to Hyginus, Aphrodite and Eros while visiting Syria fled from the monster Typhon by leaping into the Euphrates River and transforming into fishes. The Roman variant has Venus and Cupid carried away on the backs of two fishes. A different origin tale preserved by Hyginus tells of an egg that rolled into the Euphrates; fishes nudged it to shore, doves sat on it until Aphrodite hatched out, and the fishes were placed in the skies as a constellation. In 1690, astronomer Johannes Hevelius regarded Pisces as composed of four subdivisions: Piscis Boreus, Linum Boreum, Linum Austrinum, and Piscis Austrinus.

Reader's Guide

Pisces is significant as one of the zodiac constellations, marking the location of the March equinox, a key point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator. Its dimness—only two stars brighter than magnitude 4—makes it the second dimmest zodiac constellation, essentially invisible in or near major cities due to light pollution. The active galaxy 3C 31 has jets extending several million light-years. Van Maanen's Star, the closest-known solitary white dwarf, lies within Pisces, about 2° south of Delta Piscium. The constellation's mythology, rooted in Babylonian and Greco-Roman traditions, has persisted through Western folklore, such as the German tale of Antenteh and the magical fish. Its legacy endures in both astronomical study and cultural symbolism.

Did You Know?

• The March equinox is currently situated in Pisces, directly south of ω Psc, and is gradually drifting westward due to precession.
• Van Maanen's Star, located about 2° south of Delta Piscium, is the closest-known solitary white dwarf to the Sun.
• The constellation is the second dimmest of the zodiac constellations, with only two stars brighter than magnitude 4.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

Some people believe Pisces is one of the brightest zodiac constellations, but in fact it is the second dimmest, with only two stars brighter than magnitude 4. Others assume the March equinox is fixed in Aries, but it is currently situated in Pisces, directly south of ω Psc, and is gradually drifting westward due to precession.

Why It Matters (Editorial)

Pisces endures as a cultural and astronomical anchor because it marks the location of the March equinox—the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, signaling the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Its rich mythology, spanning Babylonian, Greek, and Roman traditions, reflects humanity’s long-standing need to map stories onto the stars, making Pisces a timeless link between ancient lore and modern celestial mechanics.