From The Alpha and the Omega - Volume III
by Jim A. Cornwell, Copyright © July 20, 2002, all rights reserved "Volume III - The Eighth Month - Star Names for Hercules"
In the Eighth Month of Scorpius

Star Names of Hercules
    Keep in mind that Hercules is seen as upside-down in its image in it's heavenly view, so that his foot is on the head of Draco.    This will help you grasp the location of its stars.

a Ras Algethi, which is Arabic for "the kneeler's head," also called the "head of the kneeling one," which is where this star is located.

• One source calls this as Arabic Ra's al-Jathi, also meaning the "head of the kneeling one,"
• Another spelling is Ras-Al-Gethi the brightest star located in the forehead of Hercules and means "The Head of Him Who Bruises."
  • In the "Gospel of the Stars," by Joseph Seiss, page 49, "Ras al Gethi, the Head of him who bruises."
  • Rolleston and in "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 59 "(in the head) Ras al Gethi, the head of him who bruises."    This is seen as press, in other sources for Lamentations 13:15 (KJV only has up to chapter 5), but is the same word in other parts of the KJV.
    • Press.
      • Hebrew gath, gath, probably from Heb. nagan, naw-gan', a primary root properly to thrum, thus (in the sense of treading out grapes), a wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them), (wine-) press (fat).
• Other names for Ras Algethi: Rasalgethi, Arabic Ra's al-Jathis, Rasalegti, Algethi', Ras al Jathi'yy, Rasaben.

b Kornephoros which is Greek for the "the club bearer," and is found in the right arm or armpit.

• A modern alternative name is Rutilicus, a misspelling of a Latin word for "armpit."
• Some say that the second brightest star in Hercules means "The Branch Kneeling."
  • Rolleston and in "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 59 "b (in the right armpit) Kornephoros, the branch kneeling."
    • Kneel, Kneeling.
      • Hebrew b^erak (Chaldean), ber-ak', corresponds to the Hebrew barak, baw-rak', a primary root to kneel, by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), bless, kneel.
      • Hebrew kara', kaw-rah', a primary root to bend the knee, by implication to sink, to prostrate, bow (down), kneeling.
      • Greek gonu, gon-oo', of uncertain affinity, the "knee," kneel.
• Other names for Kornephoros: Korneforos, Rutilicus, Al Rakis.

g Herculis (no name) is located in the right hand area.

d Herculis (no name), one source calls this Sarin, seen in the left shoulder or arm.

e Herculis (no name) seen in the left shoulder or arm.

z Herculis (no name) seen in the right shoulder or arm.

h Herculis (no name) located in the right hip area.

J or q Herculis (no name) is around the left knee.

k Marsic is Arabic for "elbow."    A pair of stars, which is seen near the right arm or elbow.

• Rolleston and in "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 59 "Marsic, the wounding (the right elbow)."
  • Rolleston claims that this is Hebrew, from the Septuagint and Vulgate as the word sword, from Psalm 42:10.
    • Hebrew retsach, reh'-tsakh, from Heb. ratsach, raw-tsakh, a primary root properly to dash in pieces, kill, to murder, thus a crushing, spec. a murder-cry, slaughter, sword.
• Other names for Marsic: Mar'fik, Marsik, Mir'fak, Mar'fak, Al Mar'fik.
  • Under Ophiuchus Star Names we see a l Marfik which is Arabic for "the elbow," and it is a triple star.
    • Also the Arabic Al-Mirfaq, "The elbow."
    • See Perseus, as to Algenib and note of Mirfak.
    • Other names of Marfik: Mar'fic, Mar'sic.

l Maasym is an Arabic word for "wrist," as for its location in the left arm.

• Al-Mi'sam, "The wrist."
• Rolleston and in "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 59 "Ma'asyn (Rolleston Ma'asym), the sin offering (upper part of the left arm)."
  • Sin.
    • Hebrew 'ashmah, ash-maw', from Heb. asham, aw-shawm', from Heb. 'asham, aw-sham', or Heb. 'ashem, aw-shame', a primary root to be guilty, thus guilt, by implication a fault, also a sin-offering, thus guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering, offend, sin, (cause of) trespass (-ing, offering).
• Other names for Maasym: Maasim, Al-Mi'sam, Masym, Mi'sam.

p Herculis (no name) located in the left hip.

w Cujam a corruption of the Latin word for "club," but should be the club in the right hand.

• Rolleston and in "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 59 "Caiam, or Guiam, punishing, Arabic, treading under foot (lower part of the right arm)."
  • Rolleston claims that this is from the word chastening, Job 5:17.
    • Chastening.
      • Hebrew muwçar, moo-sawr', from Heb. kabaç, kaw-bas', a primary root to trample, hence to wash (properly by stamping with the feet), thus properly chastisement, fig. reproof, warning or instruction, also restraint, bond, chastening, chastisement, check, correction, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke.
• Other names for Cujam: Kajam, Cajam, Caiam, Al Aghnam.

Other stars not shown here are: In the right foot/leg area has c (foot), n (foot), f (foot), t (right knee), and s (right leg),
In the left foot/leg area has i (foot), and r (left leg).
In the left hand area has m, x, and o,
In the Cerberus area we see 93, 95, 102, 109, 110, 111, and 113,
to round out the 29 stars of Hercules.

Star Clusters of Hercules     An interesting globular cluster, M13, can be found between h and z, which contains many stars and is 34,000 light years away.

Return to Constellation names for Hercules.

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    This file updated on December 31, 2006.
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