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-Z- (z@gundam.com)
Mon, 27 Nov 2000 18:24:46 -0800
Mark Simmons just added a profile of the MMS-01 Serpent to his Gundam Project
page:
http://www.gundamproject.com/mecha/endlesswaltz_serpent.html
Since this is an addition tp the Zodiac MS series, but not one of the twelve
traditional signs of the Zodia, Mark titled the link that he placed on the
top-level page "The 13th Constellation" -- a very apt name, indeed.
I don't know if Mark is aware of this, as it's just by chance that I know of it
myself, but there is an actual 13th Sign of the Zodiac and it is indeed related
to serpents.
Back in the '60s, the movement that is now called "New Age" began in the
Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco. Interest in the occult in general and
astrology in particular was quite high. A number of college students, of the
ilk that would later become computer geeks, began to combine modern science with
traditional mysticism. One result of this was the development and promotion of
a new astrological chart that had 13 signs.
The traditional Zodiac consists of the twelve constellations that lie in the
ecliptic plane, which the plane in which the Sun appears to orbit the Earth, but
is of course actually the other way around. Using mainframe computer
technology, primarily the IBM 360/40, someone determined that, due to
precession, a 13th constellation should now be considered part of the Zodiac.
That constellation is Ophiuchus the Serpent Holder (also known as the Serpent
Bearer and Serpent Wrestler), situated at right ascension 17 hours, declination
0 degress -- between Sagittarius the Archer and Scorpius the Scorpion. The Sun
is in Ophiuchus in December, in the season just now upon us, which is another
reason this bit of trivia clicked with me. The named stars are Rasalhague,
Cebalrai, Yed Prior, Yed Posterior, Sabik and Marfic.
Ophiuchus is a symbol of health and healing because of the connection with the
serpent, which was a symbol of rebirth in the classical culture. It was thought
that the serpent was reborn when it shed its skin each spring.
There are several stories who Ophiuchus is thought to represent:
He might be King Karnabon of Scythia. Ceres ordered Triptolemus to teach
humanity how to grow grain. King Karnabon showed friendly hospitality when
Triptolemus came to him, but after a short while he changed his attitude
completely and tried to kill Triptolemus. To prevent his flight, Karnabon
killed the dragon that pulled Triptolemus' wagon. Ceres,immediately sent
another dragon and let Karnabon kill himself. To keep the memory of his cruelty
alive, she placed him next to the dragon on the sky.
On the other hand, there is a story that Ophiuchus is Hercules, slaying a giant
snake near the river Sagaris in Libya.
He is also thought to be Triopas, who destroyed a temple of Ceres. He was
punished first with hunger and finally with that snake (or dragon) clinching him
permanently.
Some see him for Phorbas who had slain that very dragon on the island Rhodos.
Another story gives him as Aesculapius, healing and revitalising Glaucus, son of
Minos, after he was bitten by a snake. This name also appears in the Gundam
Wing canon as the OZ-10VMSX Gundam Aesculapius, which makes me wonder if perhaps
this is not a coincidence.
I find that the more you know about Western classical literature, the more
you'll appreciate certain references in Japanese animation.
-Z-
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