Pisces

The story

Pisces' mythological ancestor is the fish-transformation of Aphrodite and her son Eros. During the monster Typhon's attack on Olympus — the same event other gods fled — Aphrodite and her son Eros were on a riverbank. As Typhon approached they transformed into two fish and leapt into the water. Mother and son had tied their tails together with a cord so they wouldn't lose each other. That's why the Pisces constellation is two fish — one swimming up, one swimming sideways, tied at the tails. The themes of "attachment + fluidity + boundlessness" of Pisces come from this myth. Also pre-Christian fish symbolism (Jesus saying "I am a fisher") connects to this ancient fish-divinity. Pisces gave its name to the Age of Pisces (approximately 1-2150 CE); the next age will be Aquarius.

Into the sky

To honor Aphrodite and Eros's escape without losing each other, the two fish were placed in the sky — tied at the tail, forever swimming together.

Themes

• Aphrodite and Eros
• escape from Typhon
• two fish
• tied together