Gemini (astrology)
Gemini | |
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Zodiac symbol | Twins |
Duration (tropical, western) | May 20 – June 20 (2024, UT1)[1] |
Constellation | Gemini |
Zodiac element | Air |
Zodiac quality | Mutable |
Sign ruler | Mercury |
Detriment | Jupiter |
Exaltation | North Node |
Fall | South Node |
Astrology |
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Background |
Traditions |
Branches |
Astrological signs |
Symbols |
Gemini (♊︎) (/ˈdʒɛmɪnaɪ/ JEM-in-eye [2] Greek: Δίδυμοι, romanized: Dídymoi, Latin for "twins") is the third astrological sign in the zodiac. Under the tropical zodiac, the sun transits this sign between about May 21 to June 21.[3] Gemini is represented by the twins, Castor and Pollux,[4] known as the Dioscuri in Greek mythology. It is known as a positive, mutable sign.
Mythology[edit]
In Babylonian astronomy, the stars Pollux and Castor were known as the Great Twins. Their names were Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea, meaning "The Mighty King" and "The One who has arisen from the Underworld". Both names are titles of Nergal. Also could be referencing Zeus and Hades.[5]
In Greek mythology, Gemini is associated with the myth of Castor and Pollux, a pair of twins conceived by different fathers. Zeus, who seduced Leda, conceived Pollux while Tyndareus, the king of Sparta and Leda's husband, conceived Castor. When Castor died, because he was a mortal, Pollux begged his father Zeus to give Castor immortality, which was done through uniting them together in the heavens.
In popular culture[edit]
NASA named its two-person space capsule Project Gemini after the zodiac sign because the spacecraft could carry two astronauts.[6]
Google's next-generation AI model announced on December 6, 2023, is named Gemini.[7]
Gallery[edit]
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From the medieval Georgian manuscript of a 12th-century astrological treatise
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Ornamentation from an altar cloth from 13th-century Germany. The two figures are depicted with the heads of dogs.
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Gemini (al-Gawzaa) depicted in the 14th/15th-century Arabic astrology text Book of Wonders
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Gemini by Willem Blaeu, 1602
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White and Black Geminis by Arija, 1904
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ Astronomical Applications Department 2011.
- ^ Unicode Consortium 2015.
- ^ Britannica n.d.
- ^ Oxford 2018, entries for Gemini and Cancer.
- ^ White 2008, p. 125.
- ^ Humans n.d.
- ^ "Introducing Gemini: our largest and most capable AI model". Google. December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
References[edit]
- Astronomical Applications Department (2011). Multiyear Computer Interactive Almanac. 2.2.2. Washington DC: US Naval Observatory. Longitude of Sun, apparent geocentric ecliptic of date, interpolated to find time of crossing 0°, 30°....
- "English Oxford Living Dictionary". Oxford University Press. 2018. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016.
- "Gemini". Encyclopedia Britannica. n.d. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- "Humans in Space". National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian. n.d. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- Unicode Consortium (2015). "Unicode 8.0 Character Code Charts" (PDF). Retrieved April 21, 2016.
- White, Gavin (2008). Babylonian Star-lore. Solaria Pubs.