Parallels in the symbolism of star constellations

TL;DR

This study investigates whether different cultures assign similar symbolism to star constellations, revealing that many semantic parallels are naturally induced by the shape and composition of star groups, indicating universal patterns.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence that certain constellation symbols are universally derived from star pattern shapes and compositions across diverse cultures.

Findings

Semantic parallels are linked to star group shapes and brightness.

Naturalistic and reptilian symbols correlate with specific star pattern features.

Universal patterns influence constellation symbolism across cultures.

Abstract

We answer the question whether, when forming constellations in the night sky, people in astronomical cultures around the world and through time consistently imagined and assigned the same symbolism to the same (type of) star group. Evidence of semantic parallels has so far been anecdotal. We use two complementary definitions for a star group: (1) a star group in a fixed region of the sky (regardless of its exact star composition), and (2) a star group with a particular shape and brightness (regardless of its location in the sky). Over a dataset of 2003 constellations from 82 astronomical cultures, we find many semantic parallels which are likely naturally induced by the shape and composition of the star pattern. In certain cultural regions, geometric and group symbols are perceived consistently over small and uniformly bright star groups, naturalistic humanoids in large star groups with non-linear minimum spanning tree (MST) and stars inside the convex hull, and reptiles in star groups with low aspect ratio or linear MST. These naturally induced semantics, seemingly endogenous to certain sky patterns, show that there are universal (rather than learnt) patterns behind forming and naming constellations.