Leda

Head of Leda by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519).
Study.
Click on image for full size (121K GIF)
Image courtesy of Corel Corporation.

For the ancient Greeks, the constellation Cygnus, which means "swan", was related to the myth of Zeus(called Jupiter by Romans) and the goddess Nemesis. In order to escape from Zeus, Nemesis changed herself into many different animals. When she changed into a goose, Zeus transformed himself into a wonderful swan and won the love of Nemesis.

The goddess delivered an egg and then abandoned it. A shepherd found the egg and gave it to Leda, the wife of Tyndareus, the king of Sparta. From that egg came Helen of Troy. Helen was so beautiful that Leda claimed her as her own child. The constellation Cygnus was formed to celebrate the lovely swan.

Find out more about the constellation Cygnus

Last modified prior to September, 2000 by the Windows Team

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Leda

Head of Leda by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). Study. Click on image for full size (121K GIF) Image courtesy of Corel Corporation.

Head of Leda by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519).
Study.
Click on image for full size (121K GIF)
Image courtesy of Corel Corporation.