The Story of Aries

Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac, holds a significant place in the celestial calendar. Represented by the Ram, it encompasses individuals born between March 21 and April 19. This Zodiac sign is believed to embody traits such as leadership, courage, and independence.

The story of Aries, deeply rooted in ancient Greek mythology, 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, a journey that symbolises the courage and determination of Aries, inspiring us with its bravery.

The Plot

In Greek mythology, the mighty Zeus, the ruler of the gods, created a breathtaking cloud nymph named Nephele. She was given in marriage to Athamas, the king of Boeotia, and together they bore two children, Phrixus and Helle. However, Nephele's sudden and enigmatic disappearance left Athamas to marry Ino. Unfortunately, Ino harboured ill feelings towards her stepchildren and sought to remove them from her life. Her chance came when a severe famine ravaged the land, causing the yearly crops to wither. To end the famine, Athamas sent his messengers to Delphi to seek counsel from the oracle. Ino seized this opportunity to eliminate her stepchildren and intercepted the messengers without Athamas's knowledge. She forced the messenger to declare that the only way to end the famine was for Athamas to sacrifice his son, Phrixus.

The Rescue of Phrixus

Upon receiving the unsettling news from the oracles that his son Phrixus held the key to ending the famine, Athamas was consumed by deep distress. Relentless pressure from the people of Boeotia to sacrifice Phrixus only added to his turmoil. When Athamas revealed Phrixus' foretold fate, the young prince selflessly offered himself for sacrifice to alleviate the suffering of his people. Athamas, unprepared for such a response, tearfully gave the order to send Phrixus to his death.

As Phrixus approached the altar, a sudden and unexpected appearance halted the sacrifice. Nephele, the cloud nymph, materialised out of thin air with a majestic Golden-Fleece Ram. She swiftly rescued Phrixus and his sister, Helle, by placing them on the Ram's back and flying them to safety. Athamas, bewildered and frustrated, was later informed of the miraculous turn of events. Nephele then vanished as mysteriously as she had appeared.

Ino, Athamas' wife and Phrixus' stepmother retreated to her chambers in disappointment after the failed sacrifice. However, her involvement did not go unnoticed by Hera, the queen of the gods, who was infuriated by Ino's part in the plot to sacrifice Phrixus. Hera's anger towards Ino would later lead to tragic consequences, as she unleashed her wrath upon her.

Sorrow

As Phrixus and Helle clung to the Golden Ram's fleece, they soared high above the endless expanse of the deep blue skies, amazed by the breathtaking sights unfolding before them as they made their way towards the land of Colchis. However, as they traversed the narrow strait that separated the continents of Europe and Asia, Helle's grasp faltered, and she tragically plummeted into the azure depths below. Despite the Ram's valiant attempts to rescue her, his efforts were futile, leaving Phrixus to grieve the loss of his beloved sister. This heart-wrenching event, the sorrowful loss of Helle, marked a pivotal moment in Phrixus and Ram's journey, casting a shadow of profound grief and mourning over their journey.

Pressing on with Phrixus, the Ram revealed to him the solemn task of sacrificing the Ram and presenting the golden fleece to the King of Colchis. Upon their arrival in Colchis, Phrixus dutifully carried out the instructions with a heavy heart and offered the sacred gift to the King of Colchis. King Aeetes of Colchis then had the Golden Fleece affixed to an ancient Oak Tree in a blessed grove dedicated to Ares.

The Golden Fleece stood as a prized and fiercely protected treasure, guarded by a vigilant serpent that never slept, ensuring the safety of this revered artefact. Its presence in Colchis became a source of immense pride for the kingdom and a symbol of its opulence, drawing visitors from far and wide who sought to behold its splendour and honour its significance.

Even amidst the tragedy, Helle's legacy endured through the Hellespontos, a tribute to her life resonating through the annals of time. Meanwhile, Phrixus pressed forward on his journey, finding comfort in the belief that his sister's spirit lived on, even as he embarked on a new chapter of his life in Colchis.

The Birth of Aries, The Ram

The ancient legend tells of Nephele, the gracious cloud nymph, bestowing a magnificent honour upon the Ram. In a display of profound gratitude for its selfless service to humanity, Nephele elevated the Ram to a constellation in the celestial realm. This celestial accolade granted the Ram a prestigious place among the stars and served as a vital seasonal marker for farmers across diverse cultures. The Aries constellation, with its distinct shape and position in the sky, heralds the arrival of spring, a crucial time for agricultural societies as it signals the end of the winter and the beginning of the growing season, prompting farmers to sow their grains and diligently prepare for the forthcoming growing season. Consequently, the Aries constellation has forever intertwined with the themes of rejuvenation and the bountiful promise of nature, forging a profound connection with farmers and agricultural communities.

Story Behind The Artwork ‘Sorrow’

In the ancient myth of The Ram and Phrixus, there is a poignant moment when The Ram, having previously rescued Phrixus from a certain demise, demands to be sacrificed. This cruel twist of fate must have filled Phrixus with an overwhelming mix of dread and sorrow as he faced the loss of his beloved sister and the harrowing task of ending the life of the very creature that had once been his saviour. As an onlooker, one can only begin to fathom the profound range of emotions that Phrixus must have grappled with at that moment and its enduring impact on the rest of his life.

The Ram with The Golden-Fleece

The Ram, widely known as Chrysomallus, is a mythical being that has enchanted people's imaginations across generations. As the legend goes, the Ram's origins date back to a romantic liaison between the sea God Poseidon and Theophane, the daughter of King Bisaltes. Theophane, renowned for her exquisite beauty, attracted suitors from far and wide seeking her hand in marriage. However, Poseidon, smitten by her allure, abducted her and spirited her away to the island of Crumissa.

Upon learning of Theophane's whereabouts, her suitors resolved to rescue her. Unbeknownst to them, Poseidon anticipated their actions and cunningly transformed himself into a ram, Theophane into an ewe, and the island's inhabitants into cattle. When the suitors arrived on the island, they were bewildered to find no sign of Theophane or any human presence, only a herd of cattle. Perplexed, the suitors settled in for the night and decided to partake in a feast of the local livestock.

Observing the suitors' actions, Poseidon is outraged and punishes them by transforming them into wolves. After that, he couples with Theophane, giving birth to Chrysomallus, the Ram adorned with golden fleece. This extraordinary creature possessed a fleece of pure gold and was revered for its formidable strength and stunning beauty. The Ram would feature prominently in countless other narratives, captivating the hearts and minds of storytellers and audiences alike.

Phrixus, The Prince of Boeotia

The tale of Phrixus, the son of King Athamas of Boeotia, and Nephele, a cloud nymph, is a captivating story filled with heartbreak and triumph. Phrixus had a beloved older sister named Hella, whose tragic death during an escape attempt plunged their family into deep sorrow.

The narrative of Aries revolves around the central figure of Phrixus. Following the sacrifice of the Ram with the Golden Fleece, Phrixus finds himself in the royal court of Aeetes, the King of Colchis. There, he presents Aeetes with the Golden Fleece as a precious gift.

Two conflicting accounts depict what unfolded next. According to one version, Aeetes, forewarned by a prophecy that a stranger bearing a Golden Fleece would end his reign, decides to send Phrixus to his demise. This ending, however, is rather anticlimactic, as Phrixus narrowly escapes death, only to meet his tragic end shortly after that.

In contrast, the other version concludes with a much more uplifting outcome. After receiving the Golden Fleece, Aeetes warmly welcomes Phrixus and bestows upon him the honour of marrying his daughter, Chalciope. The couple goes on to have four children and a joyous life together. However, the arrival of Phrixus and the Golden Fleece marks the beginning of Aeetes's downfall, as he descends into madness, consumed by the fear of losing his kingdom.

Aeetes's descent into madness becomes the story's turning point, leading to the dramatic events involving Jason and the Argonauts, who set out to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Driven by an obsessive desire to retain the Golden Fleece, Aeetes subjects Jason and his crew to a series of daunting tests and trials before ultimately losing the prized possession to them.

Reference: Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca book 1.

The Constellation Aries

Aries, the constellation, is a stunning sight in the night sky. It is made up of seventeen stars that are strategically positioned along the equatorial region. Its most striking feature is the representation of a noble Ram gazing towards the neighbouring constellation, Taurus.

The historical significance of Aries dates back to the Babylonians, who initially referred to it as agrarian workers. Over time, it was renamed the Ram, a name that has endured through the ages. During the Babylonian era, Aries held a special place near the vernal equinox, a critical point on the zodiac chart as it marked the Sun's transition from the northern to the southern hemisphere due to the Earth's movement.

While Aries is no longer situated at the vernal equinox due to the Earth's axial changes, it still captivates with its six primary stars despite being composed of seventeen. Of these stars, Hamal (Alpha Arietis), Sheratan (Beta Arietis), Mesarthim (Gamma Arietis), and Bharani - 41 Arietis (c Arietis) stand out as the brightest and most noticeable to observers.

Aries shares its celestial neighbourhood with other fascinating constellations, such as Cetus, Perseus, Pisces, Taurus, and Triangulum. Despite being relatively small, Aries holds excellent historical and cultural significance. Its unique position and shape have captured the hearts and minds of humans for millennia, leaving astronomers and stargazers alike in awe and wonder.

The Glyph

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

The glyph is a powerful, striking image featuring large curving horns seamlessly merging into a sharp point. These horns embody the convergence and materialisation of the Ram's head (the right horn) and heart (the left horn). This iconic symbol of power communicates an unwavering determination and unrelenting fiery energy that will leave an impression on anyone who sees it.

It goes without saying that encountering a charging ram would be daunting and intimidating. The sheer force and power of this magnificent animal are 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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