Introduction
The final side-piece accompanying the Zodiacal Aquarius aligns perfectly with this presentation. The Swan is one of the most interesting and beautiful constellations, both for its unique natural characteristics and its evocative symbolism. It consists of eighty-one stars, one of the first or second magnitude, six of the third, and twelve of the fourth; some of these never set. It includes at least five double stars and one quadruple. The binary star (61 Cygni) is the most remarkable known in the heavens. It is one of the closest to our system of fixed stars, comprising two connected stars that, in addition to revolving around each other, share a common, progressive, and uniform motion toward a specific region. They move thousands of times faster than the swiftest body known to our system.
Astronomical Significance
This constellation contains several distinct systems within itself and displays planetary nebulas that have led astronomers to consider it as the intermediate link between planetary worlds and nebulous stars. It contains specimens of both and is situated in the midst of the great Galactic Stream of nebulous stars. This makes it ideally suited to symbolize the complex system—partly celestial, partly terrestrial, partly self-contained, and partly dependent on heavenly powers—through which grace and salvation are delivered to humankind.
Symbolism and Mythology
The figure in this constellation is a swan, a majestic bird long considered an emblem of poetic dignity, purity, and grace in many refined cultures. The Greeks and Romans held it sacred to the god of beauty and the Muses, associating it with a special sweetness in its death. As the white dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, the elegant, pure, and graceful swan is a fitting emblem of the one who, dying, sends forth the joyous river of living waters and presides majestically over its administration to humanity's thirsty children. This is the underlying idea here.
The swan is depicted in flight, "circling and returning," as its name suggests in Greek and Latin. It appears to be flying down the Milky Way in the same general direction as the river flowing from the heavenly urn. The principal stars marking its wings and body form a large, beautiful cross, the most regular of all the crosses found in constellations. It is the bird of unparalleled beauty, purity, dignity, and grace, carrying the cross and soaring above the life-giving waters. The naming of its stars includes Deueb, the Lord or Judge to come; Azel, who goes and returns; Fafage, glorious, shining forth; Sadr, who returns in a circle; Adige, flying swiftly; Arided, He shall come down; and other similar words, offering strong identification of this majestic bird-king of the waters with the one who, through the preaching of His cross to all corners of the world, calls out, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink."
Greek and Roman Mythology
Greek and Roman mythology struggles to account for the presence of this bird in the sky, but the stories on the subject are not devoid of thought and suggestion corresponding to the evangelical truth. The Greeks recounted a collection of characters of different origins and stories, each believed to be the original inspiration for this celestial swan. These myths contain faint echoes of the true prophetic delineations of the swan and the history of the Redeemer, which fulfilled the position and relationships depicted in this constellation. Christ was of divine birth and nature, invincible in Himself, and submitted to death in a heroic conflict with the forces of darkness and the just penalties due to the sins of the world. His great love for those He called His brethren brought Him to the dark river. His body took on new life after death and disappeared into a new form of brightness and glory to assume its position in the heavens.