The Story of Aries

Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac, is represented by the Ram and includes individuals born between March 21 and April 19. This particular Zodiac sign is believed to embody traits such as leadership, courage, and independence. The story of Aries can be traced back to ancient Greek mythology and is often associated with themes of jealousy and a mother's love.

According to Pseudo-Apollodorus' Bibliotheca, the Ram possessed a golden fleece, could fly, and was believed to be immortal. The search for the Golden Fleece of the Ram became famous thanks to Jason and the Argonauts, who embarked on a perilous journey to obtain it.

The Plot

According to Greek mythology, the mighty Zeus, the king of the gods, created a stunning cloud nymph named Nephele. She was given in marriage to Athamas, the ruler of Athamantia, and together they had two children, Phrixus and Helle. However, Nephele disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving Athamas to marry Ino. Unfortunately, Ino did not have a fondness for her stepchildren and wanted them gone. Her opportunity came when a severe famine struck the land, causing the annual crops to fail. Athamas, being a responsible leader, sent his messengers to Delphi to seek guidance from the oracle on how to end the famine. Ino saw this as a chance to eliminate her stepchildren and intercept the messengers without Athamas's knowledge. She forced them to declare that the only way to end the famine was for Athamas to sacrifice his son, Phrixus.

The Rescue of Phrixus

Athamas, the ruler of Boeotia, was deeply troubled upon hearing the news of the famine and suffering that had befallen his kingdom. The people of Boeotia relentlessly pressured him to carry out the sacrifice of Phrixus, a young prince considered the key to ending the famine. Summoning Phrixus, Athamas disclosed the foretold fate that awaited the young prince. Before Athamas could even complete his sentence, Phrixus displayed great nobility and willingly offered himself up for sacrifice if it meant it would alleviate the suffering of his people. A tearful Athamas, who was not prepared for such a response, gave the order to send Phrixus to his death.

As Phrixus approached the altar, Nephele, the cloud nymph, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, accompanied by a majestic Golden-Fleece Ram. Halting the sacrifice, Nephele placed Phrixus and his sister, Helle, on the back of the Ram and flew them away from harm's reach. Athamas was left bewildered and frustrated by what had just happened but was eventually informed of the turn of events. Nephele then vanished as mysteriously as she had appeared.

Ino, Athamas' wife and stepmother of Phrixus, was disappointed by the outcome and retreated to her chambers. However, her actions did not go unnoticed by Hera, the queen of the gods, who was angered by Ino's involvement in the plot to sacrifice Phrixus. Hera would later unleash her wrath on Ino, which would ultimately lead to tragic consequences.

Sorrow

As Phrixus and Helle held on to the Golden Ram's fleece, they soared high above the vast, blue skies, marvelling at the wondrous sights around them. They were on a mission to reach Colchis, but as they traversed a narrow strip of water that separated Europe and Asia, Helle's grip faltered, and she tragically plunged into the sea below. The Ram tried to rescue her, but his efforts were in vain, and Phrixus was left to mourn the loss of his beloved sister.

As the Ram continued its journey with Phrixus, he received a divine command to offer a sacrifice to the almighty Zeus upon reaching Colchis. Once they arrived, Phrixus dutifully followed the instructions and proceeded with the sacred gift. The Golden Fleece was then presented to King Aeetes of Colchis, who had it nailed onto an Oak Tree in a hallowed grove dedicated to Ares.

The Golden Fleece was a highly coveted treasure, fiercely guarded by a vigilant serpent that always remained awake, ensuring the safety of this revered artefact. Its presence in Colchis was a source of pride for the kingdom and a symbol of its prosperity, attracting visitors from far and wide who came to see it and pay tribute to its significance.

Despite the tragedy, Helle's memory lived on through the Hellespontos, a tribute to her life that echoes throughout time. Meanwhile, Phrixus continued his journey, taking solace in the knowledge that his sister's spirit lived on, even as he embarked on a new phase of his life in Colchis.

The Birth of Aries, The Ram

Legend has it that Nephele, the cloud nymph, bestowed a great honour upon the Ram in ancient times. As a token of gratitude for its service to humanity, Nephele placed the Ram among the stars as a constellation. This celestial recognition not only offered the Ram a place in the heavens but also marked a necessary time of year for farmers in various cultures. In many agricultural societies, the arrival of spring is signalled by the appearance of Aries, the Ram, in the night sky. This serves as a reminder to farmers to sow their grains and prepare for the growing season. Thus, the constellation of Aries has become forever associated with the renewal of life and the promise of abundance.

Story Behind The Artwork ‘Sorrow’

In the mythological tale of The Ram and Phrixus, there comes a moment when The Ram, who had previously saved Phrixus from certain death, orders him to sacrifice him. It was a cruel turn of events, and Phrixus must have felt an overwhelming sense of dread and sorrow at the loss of his beloved sister and the task of killing the very creature that had once saved his life. As an observer, one can only imagine the depth of emotions that Phrixus must have experienced at that moment and how it impacted him for the rest of his life.

The Ram with The Golden-Fleece

The Ram, also known as Chrysomallus, is a legendary creature that has captured people's imagination for centuries. According to the myth, the Ram's origin story can be traced back to a union between the God Poseidon and Theophane, the daughter of King Bisaltes. Theophane was renowned for her beauty, and suitors from all over the world sought her hand in marriage. However, Poseidon was captivated by her and abducted her, taking her to the island of Crumissa.

When the suitors learned of Theophane's whereabouts, they decided to rescue her. However, Poseidon was aware of their intentions and transformed himself into a ram, Theophane into an ewe, and the people of Crumissa into cattle. When the suitors reached the island, they were surprised to find no trace of Theophane or any of its inhabitants. Instead, they encountered only cattle. Confused, the suitors decided to camp on the island for the night and feast on the local livestock.

Seeing the suitors' actions, Poseidon is angered and turns them into wolves. He then mated with Theophane, and Chrysomallus, the Ram with the Golden Fleece, was born from their union. This magnificent creature had a golden fleece and was revered for its strength and beauty. The Ram would go on to play a significant role in many other tales, capturing the hearts and minds of storytellers and listeners alike.

Phrixus, The Prince of Boeotia

The story of Phrixus, the son of King Athamas of Boeotia, and Nephele, a cloud nymph, is filled with tragedy and triumph. Phrixus had an older sister named Hella, who died during an escape attempt, leaving behind a family that was stricken with grief.

The story of Aries, however, begins and ends with Phrixus, as he is the central figure of the tale. After sacrificing the Ram with the Golden Fleece, Phrixus found himself in the royal court of Aeetes, the King of Colchis, where he presented Aeetes with the Golden Fleece as a gift.

There are two different accounts of what happened next. One story claims that Aeetes was warned by a prophecy that a stranger bearing a Golden Fleece would end his reign. Fearing the prophecy, Aeetes decided to send Phrixus to his death. Unfortunately, this is a very anti-climatic ending, as Phrixus escaped death only to die shortly after.

The other story, however, has a much happier ending. After receiving the Golden Fleece, Aeetes welcomed Phrixus with open arms. He then sent the Golden Fleece to be placed on an oak tree in the Grove of Ares, where it would be protected by a serpent that never sleeps. However, just like before, it was foretold that Aeetes would lose his kingdom if the Golden Fleece were to leave his kingdom.

Aeetes was so grateful for the gift that he presented Phrixus to his daughter Chalciope. Phrixus and Chalciope then married, had four children, Argus, Cytisorus, Melas, and Phrontis (who later appeared with Jason and the Argonauts), and lived happily ever after. However, the arrival of Phrixus and the Golden Fleece marked the beginning of the downfall of Aeetes.

After the marriage of Phrixus and Chalciope, Aeetes descended into madness. Once, he was friendly and welcoming to strangers who entered his kingdom, but he began to fear losing his kingdom. This fear ultimately came to pass in the tale of Jason and the Argonauts, who sailed to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Aeetes was so obsessed with keeping the Golden Fleece that he put Jason and his crew through a series of tests and trials before ultimately losing the Golden Fleece to them.

Reference: Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca book 1.

The Constellation Aries

According to the accounts given in Hyginus Astronomica, the constellation Aries consists of a total of seventeen stars, which are positioned along the equatorial region. The most prominent feature of Aries is its depiction of a Ram gazing towards Taurus.

Historically, the Babylonians were the first to mention Aries, which they initially referred to as the agrarian worker. Later, the name was changed to the Ram, which has been in use since then. During the Babylonian era, Aries was situated in close proximity to the vernal equinox, which was a significant position on the zodiac chart. This was due to the Sun's movement from North to South.

However, due to the Earth's axis movement, Aries is no longer located in the vernal equinox. Currently, Aries comprises six primary stars, although there are seventeen stars that makeup Aries. However, most individuals only notice four since they are the brightest. These stars include Hamal (Alpha Arietis), Sheratan (Beta Arietis), Mesarthim (Gamma Arietis), and Bharani - 41 Arietis (c Arietis).

In addition, several other constellations neighbour Aries, including Cetus, Perseus, Pisces, Taurus, and Triangulum. Despite being one of the most minor constellations, Aries has been an essential part of human history and culture for thousands of years. Its unique position and shape have made it a subject of fascination and wonder for astronomers and stargazers alike.

The Glyph

The Symbol of Aries

In my quest to find the perfect symbol of strength and endurance, I finally settled on the renowned sacred oak tree. Standing tall and proud, it is known for bearing the famed fleece, which in and of itself is a symbol of power and prosperity. However, it was not the tree itself that caught my attention, but rather the glyph that I created to represent it.

The glyph is a powerful and striking image that features large curving horns that seamlessly merge into a sharp point. These horns are meant to embody the convergence and materialization of the Rams head (the right horn) and heart (the left horn). This iconic symbol of power communicates an unwavering determination and unrelenting fiery energy that is sure to leave an impression on anyone who sees it.

It goes without saying that encountering a charging ram would be a daunting and intimidating experience. The sheer force and power of this magnificent animal is something that is not easily forgotten. However, by incorporating the image of the ram into this glyph, I have created a symbol that embodies all of the strength and endurance of this powerful animal, while still retaining a sense of elegance and grace.

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