What To Know About Orion
Everything there is to know about the constellation Orion, from star names and positions to myths across the globe.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
8
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2,972
European Myths
Chapter 6
Hungary
Orion is often referred to as the magic archer (Íjász) or Reaper (Kaszás). Some myths have recently been rediscovered where Orion was called Nimrod (not the insult, this Nimrod was a great hunter), the father of Hunor and Magor, legendary founders of the Huns and the Magyars. The stars on the upper right side form the reflex bow, or a lifted scythe. In some other traditions, Orion's belt is known as the "Judge's stick (Bírópálca).
Scandinavia
Orion's belt was called Frigg's Distaff (Friggerock) or Freyja's distaff.
A distaff is a tool to help with spinning, to keep the fibers from tangling and make spinning easier.
Frigga was a goddess in Norse pagan mythology who was married to Odin, the chief god, making her a queen of the gods, of sorts.
Freyja was the old Norse goddess of love, sexuality, beauty, fertility, gold, seiðr, war, and death.
Finland
Väinämöisen was a central character in much of Finnish folklore. His name comes from the Finnish for stream pool.
Kalevi was an ancient Finnish ruler, and he and his sons are very important in Estonian, Finnish and Karelian mythology.
Siberia
