What Are the Names of the Ancient Constellations in Latin?

The Big Bear Constellation
The Big Bear Constellation. NYPL Digital Gallerty

Here are the 48 original constellations introduced by the Greek Astronomer Ptolemy in "The Almagest," c. A.D. 140. The form in bold is the Latin name. The three-letter form in parentheses shows the abbreviation and the form in single quotes provides a translation or explanation. For instance, Andromeda was the name of a chained princess, while aquila is Latin for eagle.

Additional information tells whether the constellation is part of the zodiac, a northern constellation or a southern one. The Argonaut's ship, the Argo is no longer used as a constellation and the serpent constellation is divided in two, with the Ophiuchus between the head and tail.

  1. Andromeda (And)
    'Andromeda' or 'The Chained Princess'
    Northern Constellation
  2. Aquarius (Aqr)
    'The Water Bearer'
    Zodiacal
  3. Aquila (Aql)
    'The Eagle'
    Northern Constellation
  4. Ara (Ara)
    'The Altar'
    Southern Constellation
  5. Argo Navis
    'The Argo(nauts') Ship'
    Southern Constellation (Not in www.artdeciel.com/constellations.aspx "Constellations"; no longer recognized as a constellation)
  6. Aries (Ari)
    'The Ram'
    Zodiacal
  7. Auriga (Aur)
    'The Charioteer'
    Northern Constellation
  8. Boötes (Boo)
    'The Herdsman'
    Northern Constellation
  9. Cancer (Cnc)
    'The Crab'
    Zodiacal
  10. Canis Major (Cma)
    'The Great Dog'
    Southern Constellation
  11. Canis Minor (Cmi)
    'The Little Dog'
    Southern Constellation
  12. Capricornus (Cap)
    'The Sea Goat'
    Zodiacal
  13. Cassiopeia (Cas)
    'Cassiopeia' or 'The Queen'
    Northern Constellation
  14. Centaurus (Cen)
    'The Centaur'
    Southern Constellation
  15. Cepheus (Cep)
    'The King'
    Northern Constellation
  16. Cetus (Cet)
    'The Whale' or 'The Sea Monster'
    Southern Constellation
  17. Corona Australis (CrA)
    'The Southern Crown'
    Southern Constellation
  18. Corona Borealis (CBr)
    'The Northern Crown'
    Northern Constellation
  19. Corvus (Crv)
    'The Crow'
    Southern Constellation
  20. Crater (Crt)
    'The Cup'
    Southern Constellation
  21. Cygnus (Cyg)
    'The Swan'
    Northern Constellation
  22. Delphinus (Del)
    'The Dolphin'
    Northern Constellation
  23. Draco (Dra)
    'The Dragon'
    Northern Constellation
  24. Equuleus (Equ)
    'The Little Horse'
    Northern Constellation
  25. Eridanus (Eri)
    'The River'
    Southern Constellation
  26. Gemini (Gem)
    'The Twins'
    Zodiacal
  27. Hercules (Her)
    'Hercules'
    Northern Constellation
  28. Hydra (Hya)
    'The Hydra'
    Southern Constellation
  29. Leo Major (Leo)
    'The Lion'
    Zodiacal
  30. Lepus (Lep)
    'The Hare'
    Southern Constellation
  31. Libra (Lib)
    'The Balance' or 'The Scales'
    Zodiacal
  32. Lupus (Lup)
    'The Wolf'
    Southern Constellation
  33. Lyra (Lyr)
    'The Lyre'
    Northern Constellation
  34. Ophiuchus or Serpentarius (Oph)
    'The Serpent Bearer'
    Northern Constellation
  35. Orion (Ori)
    'The Hunter'
    Southern Constellation
  36. Pegasus (Peg)
    'The Winged Horse'
    Northern Constellation
  37. Perseus (Per)
    'Perseus' or 'The Hero'
    Northern Constellation
  38. Pisces (Psc)
    'The Fishes'
    Zodiacal
  39. Piscis Austrinus (PSA)
    'The Southern Fish'
    Southern Constellation
  40. Sagitta (Sge)
    'The Arrow'
    Northern Constellation
  41. Sagittarius (Sgr)
    'The Archer'
    Zodiacal
  42. Scorpius (Sco)
    'The Scorpion'
    Zodiacal
  43. Serpens Caput (SerCT)
    'The Serpens Head' and
    Serpens Cauda (SerCD)
    'The Serpent's Tail' (Not in An Astronomical Vocabulary, but since Ophiuchus separates them, they must be Northern Constellations.)
  44. Taurus (Tau)
    'The Bull'
    Zodiacal
  45. Triangulum (Tri)
    'The Triangle'
    Northern Constellation
  46. Ursa Major (Uma)
    'The Great Bear'
    Northern Constellation
    See The Story of Callisto
  47. Ursa Minor (Umi)
    'The Little Bear'
    Northern Constellation
  48. Virgo (Vir)
    'The Virgin'
    Zodiacal

Sources

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Gill, N.S. "What Are the Names of the Ancient Constellations in Latin?" ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/names-of-ancient-constellations-in-latin-118621. Gill, N.S. (2021, February 16). What Are the Names of the Ancient Constellations in Latin? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/names-of-ancient-constellations-in-latin-118621 Gill, N.S. "What Are the Names of the Ancient Constellations in Latin?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/names-of-ancient-constellations-in-latin-118621 (accessed April 20, 2024).