The Seven Sisters Mythology: A Cosmic Tale Across Cultures
Introduction
The Seven Sisters mythology is one of the most widely recognized celestial legends, deeply embedded in the folklore of multiple civilizations worldwide. The tale revolves around the Pleiades star cluster, a shimmering constellation located in the Taurus constellation, visible to the naked eye in the night sky. Ancient cultures, from the Greeks and the Indigenous Australians to the Native Americans and the Japanese, have passed down their own versions of the Seven Sisters’ story.
This article delves into the various mythologies, astronomical significance, and cultural symbolism of the Seven Sisters, uncovering the enduring mystery behind this celestial formation.
Astronomical Significance of the Seven Sisters (Pleiades)
The Pleiades cluster, scientifically designated Messier 45 (M45), is an open star cluster consisting of hot, young B-type stars formed approximately 100 million years ago. Located around 444 light-years away, the Pleiades is one of the closest and most easily observable star clusters to Earth.
Notable features of the cluster:
• Brightest Stars: Alcyone, Electra, Maia, Merope, Taygeta, Celaeno, and Sterope.
• Nebulosity: A reflection nebula surrounds the cluster due to interstellar dust.
• Cultural Importance: Visible globally, making it significant in myths across continents.
Now, let’s explore the Seven Sisters’ mythology across various civilizations.
Greek Mythology: The Tragic Chase of the Pleiades
In Ancient Greek mythology, the Pleiades were seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione, who were pursued relentlessly by the hunter Orion. Desperate to escape his unwanted advances, the sisters prayed to Zeus, who transformed them into a star cluster. Their father, Atlas, was condemned to hold up the heavens, and his daughters, unable to protect themselves, were placed in the sky as a tribute.
The Seven Sisters in Greek Myth:
1. Maia – The eldest, mother of Hermes by Zeus.
2. Electra – Mother of Dardanus, the founder of Troy.
3. Taygeta – Mother of Lacedaemon, founder of Sparta.
4. Alcyone – Associated with calm seas and mourning.
5. Celaeno – Linked to Poseidon and dark omens.
6. Sterope – Related to Ares and Chiron.
7. Merope – The only sister to marry a mortal, Sisyphus, and is said to be the faintest star in the cluster due to her shame.
This myth intertwines with Orion’s celestial placement, as the Orion constellation is seen “chasing” the Pleiades across the night sky.
Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime: The Seven Sisters and Wati Nyiru
The Indigenous Australians, particularly the Anangu and Yolŋu peoples, have a deep-rooted myth surrounding the Pleiades, often referred to as the Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Dreaming).
In this tale, the Seven Sisters were celestial women constantly pursued by Wati Nyiru, a lustful male figure. To escape his advances, they ascended into the sky, forming the Pleiades cluster. The pursuit of Wati Nyiru (often associated with Orion) is reflected in the movement of the stars.
Key Themes in Aboriginal Mythology:
• Protection of women – The story warns against unwanted male advances.
• Celestial storytelling – The stars serve as a navigational and seasonal guide.
• Cultural continuity – The myth is passed down through art, song, and dance.
The Seven Sisters Songline spans across Australia, connecting different Indigenous communities through shared knowledge and oral tradition.
Native American Legends: The Star Maidens
The Pleiades play a crucial role in Native American mythology, particularly among the Lakota, Cherokee, and Kiowa tribes.
The Kiowa Legend of the Seven Sisters:
According to Kiowa tradition, seven young girls were playing when they were attacked by giant bears. Praying for salvation, the girls were lifted into the sky and transformed into stars. The bears, clawing at the earth in frustration, created Devils Tower (Mato Tipila) in Wyoming, a sacred site to this day.
Cherokee and Lakota Versions:
• The Cherokee believed the Pleiades were ancestors who had ascended to the heavens.
• The Lakota viewed them as spirits guiding warriors in battle.
The Seven Sisters are often connected to harvest cycles, seasonal shifts, and spiritual protection in Native American beliefs.
Hindu Mythology: The Krittikas (Pleiades and Kartikeya)
In Hindu mythology, the Pleiades are known as the Krittikas, associated with the six mothers who nursed Kartikeya (Skanda), the god of war. These celestial mothers are honored during Kartik Purnima, a Hindu festival celebrating the star cluster’s appearance.
Key elements of this myth:
• Kartikeya was born from the sparks of Shiva’s third eye.
• The Krittikas raised him in secrecy, making him a warrior deity.
• The Pleiades are linked to the fire element and protection in battle.
The Hindu astrological calendar also aligns with the Pleiades, marking significant agricultural and spiritual events.
Japanese Mythology: The Subaru Star Cluster
In Japan, the Pleiades are called “Subaru” (昴), meaning “unite” or “gather.” This name inspired the Subaru automobile brand, whose logo features six visible stars of the cluster.
In Japanese folklore, the Pleiades were celestial maidens descending to Earth, much like the legends in Australia and Native America. They symbolize:
• Unity and guidance in the cosmos.
• Spiritual enlightenment in Buddhist traditions.
• Agricultural cycles tied to the lunar calendar.
Nordic and Celtic Mythology: The Fates and Fertility
In Norse mythology, the Pleiades are associated with the goddesses of fate, known as the Norns or Disir, who controlled destiny. Some sources link them to Freyja, the goddess of love and fertility.
In Celtic tradition, the Pleiades were believed to guide Druids in marking Samhain, the festival of the dead (which evolved into Halloween). The star cluster’s disappearance from the sky marked the beginning of winter.
Symbolism and Esoteric Meaning of the Seven Sisters
The Seven Sisters are laden with symbolism across cultures:
• Divine Feminine – They often represent goddesses, nymphs, or celestial maidens.
• Guidance & Protection – Sailors and travelers used the Pleiades for navigation.
• Spiritual Awakening – Many cultures see the Pleiades as a gateway to higher consciousness.
• Transformation & Escape – Many myths depict them fleeing oppression and transforming into stars.
Modern esoteric traditions also associate the Pleiades with extraterrestrial wisdom, particularly in New Age spirituality and starseed theories.
Conclusion: A Universal Myth Written in the Stars
The Seven Sisters mythology connects diverse civilizations through shared celestial narratives. Whether as Greek nymphs, Indigenous dreamtime figures, war deities, or spirit guides, the Pleiades have inspired awe and reverence for millennia.
The enduring mystery of the Pleiades reminds us that, despite cultural differences, humanity has always looked to the stars for meaning, storytelling, and a connection to something greater.
So, the next time you gaze at the night sky, remember: the Seven Sisters have been watching over us for generations—whispering their cosmic secrets to those who dare to listen.