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UPDATED 24 JULY, 2023 - 22:55 JOANNA GILLAN

What Makes Sirius, the Dog Star, So Special?

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The accolade of “brightest star in the sky as viewed from Ea h” goes to the well-known star Sirius, popularly called the Dog Star due to its role as the
dominant star in the Canis Major , meaning the “greater dog” constellation. Being such a visible heavenly body, it has been the object of wonder and
veneration to ancient peoples throughout human histo .

Canis Major as depicted on the Manuchihr Globe made in Mashhad 1632-33 AD. Adilnor Collection, Sweden. ( CC BY-SA 4.0 )

Sirius: The Dog Star of Ancient Cultures Around the World

Interestingly, totally separate ancient cultures with no apparent communication have related the brilliant Sirius with either a wolf or a dog. In ancient
Chaldea (present day Iraq) the star was called the “Dog Star that Leads,” while in ancient China the star was identi ed as a heavenly wolf. The Dog
Star Sirius was known as “the Dog of the Sun” in Assyria and Akkadia.
Changing Colors and Scampering Across the Night Sky: What Did the Ancients Say about Sirius?
Dog Days of Summer: The Rising of the Dog Star, Sirius
Meanwhile, No h American indigenous tribes have also referred to the star in canine terms. The Seri and Tohono O’odham tribes of the southwest
describe Sirius as a “dog that follows mountain sheep,” while the Cherokee paired Sirius with Antares as a dog-star guardian of the “Path of Souls.”
The Skidi tribe of Nebraska named it the “Wolf Star,” and fu her no h the Alaskan Inuit of the Bering Strait called it “Moon Dog.”

Crop of "Canis Major, Lepus, Columba Noachi & Cela Sculptoris", plate 30 in Urania's Mirror. ( Public domain )

The Dog Star Sirius in Millennia of Astronomy and Mythology

The Sirius system, located a mere 8.6 light-years away from Ea h, stands as the fth closest known stellar system to humanity. Derived from the
ancient Greek Seirios, meaning "glowing" or "scorcher," its name carries a profound signi cance.
This brilliant star has played a crucial role in astronomy, mythology, and occultism for millennia, as evidenced by its depiction on ancient a ifacts. In
the ancient Vedas of the Indian subcontinent, this star was known as the Chieftain's star; in other Hindu writings, it is referred to as Sukra, the Rain
God or Rain Star.
The celestial movements of the Dog Star Sirius held immense signi cance in marking and predicting events on Ea h. In one example, the heliacal
rising of Sirius was intricately linked to the ooding of the Nile in ancient Egypt, signifying the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.
Similarly, for the ancient Greeks, this rising of Sirius coincided with the “dog days” of summer, representing the hottest and most uncomfo able days
of the season. The Polynesians, on the other hand, regarded the appearance of Sirius as an indication of winter and relied on it for navigation across
the vast Paci c Ocean.

Across various civilizations, including the Sumerians and Babylonians, the trajecto of Sirius was obse ed and revered. Its celestial journey inspired a
sense of reverence and awe, leading to its classi cation as a sacred entity. The appearance of Sirius in the night sky was often accompanied by grand
feasts and joyous celebrations, paying homage to its profound in uence and celestial splendor.
The Dog Star Sirius held was unrivalled as the most signi cant celestial body in the ancient Egyptian sky. Indeed, it se ed as the cornerstone of their
entire religious system, with the majority of their deities intricately linked to this luminous star. The Egyptian calendar system, crucial for agricultural
and societal planning, revolved around the heliacal rising of Sirius. This annual event, which took place just before the summer oods of the Nile,
marked a pivotal moment in their lives and shaped their understanding of time and the cycles of nature.

A 9th-centu astronomical manuscript, including an illustration of the constellation "Sirius". ( CC0)

Did the African Dogons Possess Mysterious Stellar Knowledge?

The Sirius Myste , a thought-provoking book authored by Robe Temple, stirred controversy upon its publication. Temple made a striking claim that
the Dogons, an ancient African tribe from Mali, possessed knowledge about Sirius that seemed impossible to obtain without advanced telescopic
technology. According to his asse ions, the Dogon people had an understanding of the bina nature of Sirius, which consists of two stars known as
Sirius A and Sirius B.

Did Ancient Aliens Impa Advanced Astronomical Knowledge to the Dogon Tribe?
Looking to the Stars of Australian Aboriginal Astronomy
 The Chandra X-ray image of Sirius A & B, a double star system located 8.6 light years from Ea h, shows a bright source and a dim source. This is not
visible with the naked eye. ( Smithsonian Institution )

In his book, Temple proposed that the Dogon's awareness of Sirius B, a white dwa companion star to Sirius A, indicated a profound ancient
connection or even extraterrestrial contact. These claims sparked extensive discussions and debates among scholars and researchers, exploring the
origins and extent of the Dogon's astronomical knowledge.
However, it is impo ant to note that these claims have been met with skepticism and criticism by some expe s, who suggest alternative explanations
such as cultural di usion or misinterpretation of Dogon traditions. The Sirius Myste continues to be a subject of interest and controversy, prompting
fu her exploration of the Dogon's fascinating cosmological beliefs and the origins of their alleged knowledge about the Sirius star system.
The Dog Star Sirius as a Source of Knowledge and Power
These days, Sirius continues to hold a signi cant place in religious beliefs and spiritual practices. In various secret societies that persist today, the Dog
Star is considered the core focal point of their teachings and symbolism.
Throughout the course of human civilization, from ancient times to the present day, Sirius has maintained its association with divinity and has been
revered as a profound source of great knowledge and power. The star that shines brightest to us here on Ea h has undeniably carried special
symbolic meaning for humanity throughout histo .
Top image: Sirius, the Dog Star, the dominant star within the Canis Major constellation. Source: i na / Adobe Stock

By Joanna Gillan

Section:  News Myths & Legends Histo Ancient Traditions

Tags:  Sirius Star constellation Dog Star Canis Major dogon astronomy

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JOANNA
Joanna Gillan is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. 
 Joanna completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree in Australia and published research in the eld of Educational
Psychology. She has a rich and varied career, ranging from teaching...
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