STARLAB Mythology Cylinders. . .

Ancient Egyptian Culture

This cylinder shows a dramatic representation of the skies as seen by both Pharoahs and slaves of Ancient Egypt. An identification key contains descriptions and legends for 36 extraordinary constellations that represent religious, political and Egyptian social life upon a starry background. The position of the stars have been calculated for the year 2500 BC. The projection compensates correctly for the phenomenon known as precession. The supporting curriculum Ancient Egyptian Culture and the Stars, explains precession as well as the love, hope, fear and humor that the Egyptians felt for the lights in the sky. Useful for astronomy, mythology, and ancient history for all grades; archeoastronomy and positional astronomy for the high school level. Item #SL-322, $675 domestic.

Much can be learned about the culture of the Ancient Chinese people by simply looking at the sky. Constellations were of tremendous significance and were carefully monitored by astronomers. Ceremonies, relationships and decisions of all types were structured around predictions based on these celestial figures. This window into the life of people in China 5,000-10,000 years ago can now be viewed in the STARLAB with two exciting cylinders. Each cylinder is useful for astronomy, mythology, art, literature, social studies and ancient history for all grade levels. Item #SL-458: Set of both Chinese cylinders, $1000 domestic.

Ancient Chinese Legends

Featuring more than 30 exciting, colorful constellations such as the Royal Couple, the Supreme Commander, the Awakening Snake, the Four Pillars of Heaven and the Prisoners of War, this celestial panorama is full of wonderful stories that represent the cultural ideas of the time. Item #SL-357, $675 domestic.

Ancient Chinese Seasons

This vivid cylinder features the four beasts representing the ancient seasons: the White Tiger (autumn), the Black Tortoise (winter), the Blue Dragon (spring) and the Red Bird (summer). These beasts influenced every aspect of life of the Ancient Chinese. Each of these larger constellations contains smaller figures that serve as seasonal reminders.
Item #SL-356, $675 domestic.

The Lapp (or Sámi) Mythology cylinder depicts the outlines of figures from Nordic Lapp folklore. The cylinder tells the story about a great Cosmic Moose Hunting Scene. The large constellation, Sarva, the Moose, is composed of several Greek constellations — Cassiopeia, Perseus, and Auriga. In the Nordic Lapp folklore, Gemini, Orion, Ursa Major and other figures are hunting Sarva. For astronomy, art, literature, social studies, and ancient history for all grade levels. Item #SL-355, $675 domestic.

Hindu Mythology

The Hindu Mythology cylinder features over 30 exciting stories of constellations and stars collected from the Vedas, Ramayana, Malhabharta, and Puranana. These wonderful legends tell of the significance of a heavenly couple similar to Adam and Eve, an evil "blinking" star, hunters and warriors, explanations of the role of the sun and moon in the heavens, tales of monsters and fierce creatures, and much more. Useful for astronomy, mythology, art, literature, social studies, and ancient history for all grade levels. Item #SL-322, $675 domestic.

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NEW! Polynesian Voyaging

This cylinder displays the four star groups that are used for navigation in Hawaiian astronomy. These "star lines" run north to south and are marked by bright stars and prominent constellations. Star line 1, which translated means "The Canoe-Bailer of Makali'i" is formed by six stars, Capella, Castor and Pollux, Procyon, Sirius, and Canopus, curving across the sky from north to south in the shape of a bailer with Orion in the middle. Star line 2, "The Backbone", runs from Polaris and The Big Dipper near the north celestial pole through Arcturus to the Southern Cross near the south celestial pole. The stars in this line represent vertebrae along a backbone, a metaphor for a genealogical line with each vertebra representing a generation. Star line 3, "The Chief's Fishline", goes from Cassiopeia in the north to Scorpius in the south, and is dominated by the Navigator's Triangle, made up of Deneb, Vega, and Altair. Finally, the northern part of star line 4 or "The Kite of Kawelo" is made up of Cassiopeia and the Great Square of Pegasus, while the southern part includes Fomalhaut, Alnair, Dipha, Ankaa, and Achernar. The cylinder includes a 20-page curriculum with an introduction to Hawaiian Astronomy, a section on Polynesian Voyaging and Wayfinding, and complete descriptions (including traditional Hawaiian names) of the Hawaiian constellations and star lines.
Item #SL-363, $675 domestic.

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NEW! Inuit Star Lore

This cylinder created by Ole Knudsen takes the students on a journey of the constellations and star lore of the Arctic night sky as related by Inuit elders. Much of the lore is based on extensive research from John MacDonald's book entitled The Arctic Sky (available from Amazon).

Of the arctic cultures and beliefs much has been written down by various travellers, anthropologists and other friends of the Arctic peoples, the Inuit. It is also obvious that much has been lost forever. In the few written accounts surviving only a few constellations are mentioned; between ten and twenty. There is some reason to believe that in the old days many more existed, but the cultural chain has been broken and knowledge of Inuit stars and star lore is not a living thing among the young anymore. This cylinder and notes are mainly an attempt to give the stars back to the children of the Arctic.

There seems to have been a twofold use of the stars and constellations. One use is very practical and pragmatic: for timekeeping and for navigation. The other use, mainly for the same stars and constellations was for storytelling. This could be just a pastime or a way of teaching the proper way to behave in a world of gods and spirits. The myths, legends and stories cited here are as they were recorded. They reflect the values and thoughts of a people that has survived the harsh arctic conditions for millennia. Item #SL-364, $675 domestic.

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