Planetary Symbolism
This table shows the astrological planets (as distinct from the astronomical) and the Greek and Roman deities associated with them. In most cases, the English name for planets derives from the name of a Roman god or goddess. Also of interest is the conflation of the Roman god with a similar Greek god. In some cases, it is the same deity with two different names.
| Planet | Symbol | Roman deity | Greek God | Hindu God | Connection | Meaning (European) | Meaning (Vedic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Sol Apollo |
Ἥλιος (Helios) Ἀπόλλων (Apollo) |
सूर्य (Surya) | ancient | Solar incarnation God of Prophecy; Helios means "sun." |
The Sun God Son of Aditi and Kashyap; Surya means "the supreme light." |
|
| Moon | Luna Diana |
Σελήνη (Selene) Ἄρτεμις (Artemis) |
चंद्र (Chandra) | ancient | Lunar incarnation Goddess of Hunt; Selene means "moon." |
The Moon God Associated with impatience of human nature. Always found feathered on the head of Lord Shiva; Chandra means "shining." |
|
| Mercury | Mercury | ʽἙρμῆς (Hermes) | बुध (Budha) | ancient | Messenger God | A planet god known for his intelligence; Budha means "awakening, clever, intelligent, wise, learned man, wise man, or sage." | |
| Venus | Venus | Ἀφροδίτη (Aphrodite) | शुक्र (Shukra) | ancient | Goddess of romance; Venus means "love" or "sexual desire." | The mentor of Asuras. Associated with fertility and enthusiasm. Always helped demons in the war against gods; Shukra means "clear, pure, brightness, or clearness." |
|
| Mars | Mars | Ἀρης (Ares) | मंगल (Mangala) | ancient | God of War | Son of Earth. This planet is associated with unluckiness of brides. Also associated with strength. |
|
| Ceres | Ceres | Δημήτηρ (Demeter) | देवी (Shakti) | modern | Goddess of the seasons; Demeter means "Earth Mother." | The Great Divine Mother in Hinduism; Shakti means "power, strength, might, energy, or capacity." | |
| Jupiter | Jupiter | Ζεύς (Zeus) | गुरू, बृहस्पती (Guru, Brihaspati) | ancient | Leader of the Gods; Jupiter means "Sky Father." | Mentor/Guru /teacher of gods. Always helped gods in war against demons. Guru means "teacher" or "priest." Brihaspati means "lord of prayer or devotion." |
|
| Saturn | Saturn | Κρόνος (Cronus) | शनि (Shani) | ancient | God of Agriculture | God of "Duty". Punishes the person who does not do his duty properly. Saturn (Shani) tests a person every 22.5 years; the test lasts for a period of 7.5 years (Sadesati). The origin of word Shani (शनि) comes from the following: Shanaye Kramati Sa: (शनये क्रमति सः) i.e. the one who moves slowly, as Saturn takes about 30 years to revolve around the sun. |
|
| Uranus | Caelus | Ουρανός (Uranos) | वासुकी, वासव (Vasuki) | modern | Incarnation of the Sky; "Uranus" and "Caelus" both mean "sky." | A mythological snake king in Indian Puranas. Vasuki means "of divine being." | |
| Neptune | Neptune | Ποσειδῶν (Poseidon) | वरुण (Varuna) | modern | God of the Sea | God of rain in Indian mythology; Varuna means "God of the sea." | |
| Pluto | Pluto | Πλούτων (Pluton)/Ἅδης (Hades) | कुबेर (Kubera) | modern | God of the Underworld; Hades means "the unseen" and Pluto means "wealth." | God of wealth. Kubera gave a loan to lord Vishnu to search for his wife Lakshmi who had quarreled with Vishnu and left their home. Kubera means "deformed" or "monstrous." |
Read more about this topic: Planets In Astrology
Famous quotes containing the words planetary and/or symbolism:
“We cannot cheat on DNA. We cannot get round photosynthesis. We cannot say I am not going to give a damn about phytoplankton. All these tiny mechanisms provide the preconditions of our planetary life. To say we do not care is to say in the most literal sense that “we choose death.””
—Barbara Ward (1914–1981)
“...I remembered the rose bush that had reached a thorny branch out through the ragged fence, and caught my dress, detaining me when I would have passed on. And again the symbolism of it all came over me. These memories and visions of the poor—they were the clutch of the thorns. Social workers have all felt it. It holds them to their work, because the thorns curve backward, and one cannot pull away.”
—Albion Fellows Bacon (1865–1933)