Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer

Oph

Ophiuchi

Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Ophiuchus

Origin:
Ophiuchus is a large, old constellation known to the Greeks as the Serpent Bearer and to Romans as the Serpent Charmer. In fact, the name Ophiuchus comes from two Greek words meaning "serpent" and "holding."  The Arabs knew the constellation as the Serpent Collector.  On older western maps, the constellation is labeled "Serpentarius."

Information:
Ophiuchus is a large and scattered summer constellation.  For northern observers the constellation is high in the sky at 9 pm early in August. The constellation is north of Scorpius and south of Hercules.  On either side of Ophiuchus is each end of the serpent (Serpens) from which Asclepius obtained the life-restoring herb.  Ophiuchus is a treasure-trove of deep sky objects visible with binoculars and telescopes.  The constellation contains 22 globular clusters (the most in any one constellation and a rather large fraction of all known globulars), at least 5 planetary nebulae (gas clouds ejected by dead stars), a number of bright galaxies, and a large emission nebula at the border of Ophiuchus and Scorpius.  The Serpent Bearer has never been included as a part of the zodiac despite it crossing the ecliptic in its southern most region and subtending three times as much of the ecliptic as adjacent Scorpius.  Many astronomers consider Ophiuchus the thirteenth zodiacal constellation.

Mythology:
The Serpent Bearer has been associated with a variety of figures through the ages.  One of the most enduring legends associates Ophiuchus with the god Asclepius (Aesculapius or Aesculepius to the Romans), expert in the arts of medicine and the healing powers of different plants, and could even bring the dead back to life.  It is alleged that he may have learned these therapeutic secrets from a snake.

Asclepius was the son of Apollo and Coronis (see Corvus, the Crow) and, beyond his education by the serpent, was educated by Chiron the centaur (now the constellation Sagittarius).  It is said that Hippocrates, famous as the father of modern medicine, was his distant grandson. His medical career began when one day, while visiting a friend, he saw a snake in the room and killed it.  To the great surprise of both Asclepius and his friend, a second snake slithered into the room and gave an herb to the first snake, which was immediately revived from the dead. Asclepius took the herb from the snake and learned the great curative and restorative powers certain herbs and plants have over life and death.  He traveled throughout the known world healing people and learning more about the medicinal use of herbs.  In time, his reputation as a physician had become widely known. Asclepius had become so successful a healer that Hades, God of the Underworld, complained to his brother Zeus that fewer and fewer souls were being sent down to the Underworld (where all mortals go after death). Asclepius is said to have brought Hippolytus back to life by "gluing" him back together after being dragged to death and torn to pieces when his horses were frightened by a bull. Just as Asclepius was about to bring Orion back to life after he had been accidentally lover Artemis, Hades' patience ran out and he demanded that Zeus put a stop these resurrections.  After all, being that only the gods were immortal, if Asclepius were permitted to continue bringing the dead back to life, humans would attain immortal status.  Zeus agreed with his brother and killed Asclepius with a lightning bolt. Zeus, realizing that Asclepius had admirable skills (but not having a change of heart and reviving him) raised him to the heavens as Ophiuchus, along with the serpent (Serpens) that started his career. 

Asclepius, as the God of Medicine, is always shown carrying a staff with a serpent (the one which carried the wondrous herb) wound around it.  A similar symbol, the caduceus, is a staff with two serpents wound inextricably from bottom to top.  Both of these symbols may be found in hospitals and doctors' offices.  

The common words hygiene (meaning "the science of health") and panacea (meaning "a cure-all medicine") come from the names of two of Asclepius' daughters, Hygeia and Panacea.