If I started this day feeling remotely uninspired about having been born a sentient creature, the (below) comparison of how different cultures have seen and interpreted the same night sky has really put me in my place. Life-Affirmation 101. Who knew that our Milky Way is described as "the Silver River" in China and "Spilled Breast Milk" in Ancient Greece?
In my limited experience I've considered Chinese culture more poetic and ethereal than our more rational and earth-bound 'western' cultures; these sky maps illustrate that isn't always the case.
The Chinese seem to view the constellations as mapping their mundane world, while the Ancient Greek constellations represented mythical heroes and beasts. "Full stomach", "Encampment" and "Court of the Privy Council" twinkle high in the Chinese sky, while the Ancient Greeks were chasing "the Winged Horse", "the Serpent Holder" and "the Horned Goat".
Please do yourself a favor and click on these sky maps to see their details:
Thank you radical cartography for today's dose of enlightenment
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