KIMONO WITH ZODIAC SIGNS

The inspiration for the illustrations came from Urania’s Mirror — a set of 32 constellation cards first published in November 1824. These cards were based on illustrations fromA Celestial Atlas by Alexander Jamieson. Behind each zodiac sign lies a story rooted in ancient Greek mythology.

ARIES was named after the myth of the ram who rescued the children of the King of Thessaly. Fun fact: even before the ancient Greeks, this constellation was known as “The Farmer.”

TAURUS: according to legend, the god Zeus took the form of a golden bull to abduct the beautiful Europa. Later, Taurus was placed in the sky in memory of their love.

GEMINI: this constellation is named after Zeus’s sons — Castor and Pollux. According to the myth, they were inseparable, like water. People born under this sign are considered the most loyal and trustworthy friends.

CANCER: according to the myth, during Heracles’ battle with the Lernaean Hydra, all the creatures supported him — except for the crab, who dared to leap out of the swamp and bite the hero on the leg. The goddess Hera, who despised Heracles, rewarded the crab by placing it among the stars.

LEO: legend has it that Heracles performed his first labor by strangling the Nemean Lion with his bare hands. The gods placed the defeated beast in the sky — most likely as a trophy of the hero.

VIRGO: this constellation was named after Demeter — the ancient Greek goddess of fertility.

LIBRA received its name in honor of Themis — the goddess of justice. Interestingly, it is the only inanimate zodiac sign.

SCORPIO: the god Jupiter placed Scorpio among the stars in gratitude for helping him defeat Orion and saving life on Earth.

SAGITTARIUS was named after the centaur Chiron.

CAPRICORN received its name in honor of Pan, the rustic god.

AQUARIUS was named after Ganymede — a Trojan youth of extraordinary beauty, abducted by Zeus to serve as cupbearer on Mount Olympus. That is why he is traditionally depicted with a jug in his hands.

PISCES: according to legend, the goddess of love Aphrodite and her son Eros turned into fish to escape from Typhon, who could not bear water. Afterwards, Athena created the constellation to commemorate their escape.