Bellatrix, Orion’s third brightest star, means Female Warrior

[Sky Watch]

The third brightest star in Orion, Bellatrix, is often overlooked. And yet Bellatrix is such a wonderful star. You can see it despite the glare of tonight’s waxing moon.

According to Richard Hinckley Allen’s classic book Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, the Latin name “Bellatrix” means “Female Warrior,” which some find odd since the original Arabic title translates as “Conqueror.” But women understand. Bellatrix represents Orion’s left shoulder. Although it appears only as the 22nd brightest star in our heavens, in reality it is a hot, blue giant some 240 light-years away.

Also look for Saiph, which is the right knee counterpart to Rigel, the left knee in Orion. The four stars, Betelgeuse, Rigel, Bellatrix and Saiph form the familiar rectangle of Orion. Saiph is a blazing hot supergiant star 720 light-years away.

http://earthsky.org/

The name Bellatrix is Latin for "female warrior", and first appeared in the works of Abu Ma'shar al-Balkhi and John of Seville.

It was also called the Amazon Star, which Richard Hinckley Allen proposed came from a loose translation of the Arabic name Al Najīd, the Conqueror.A c.1275 Arabic celestial globe records the name as المرزم "the lion".Bellatrix is one of the four navigational stars in Orion that are used for celestial navigation. 

J.K. Rowling named one of the Death Eaters "Bellatrix Lestrange". The Latin translation alludes to the character's nature in theHarry Potter series.

The marooned astronauts in the original 1968 film of Planet of the Apes initially believe that they are on an unknown planet orbiting Bellatrix, before the sole survivor realizes their true location in the final scene.

The Wardaman people of northern Australia know Bellatrix as Banjan, the sparkling pigment used in ceremonies conducted by Rigel the Red Kangaroo Leader in a songline when Orion is high in the sky. The other stars of Orion are his ceremonial tools and entourage. Betelgeuse is Ya-jungin "Owl Eyes Flicking", watching the ceremonies.

To the Inuit, the appearance of Betelgeuse and Bellatrix high in the southern sky after sunset marked the beginning of spring and lengthening days in late February and early March. The two stars were known as Akuttujuuk "those (two) placed far apart", referring to the distance between them, mainly to people from North Baffin Island and Melville Peninsula.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellatrix

[Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland]

How intersting is all of this, Samael, thanks for posting it!

Following a female with a side as warrior, the other as home maker

[Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland]

[1yrns4vean19o]

excellent additions my friend! Thanks so much for reading and commenting on my discussions. I really appreciate it