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 Ophiuchus"
In the Eighth Month of Scorpius

Star Names of Ophiuchus
a Ras Alhague or Ra's Alha'gue, "head of the snake," and sometimes written Rasalhague, which means "head of the serpent collector" in Arabic for that is what this star marks.

• In the Arabic it also called Ra's al-Hawwa', "Head of the snake-man."
• Arabic Ras means "head," as does the Hebrew Ro'sh, means "head."
  • Head.
    • Hebrew ro'sh, roshe, from an unused root apparently meaning to shake, the head (as most easily shaken).
• Arabic Ras al Hagos, "the head of him who holds" or Ras Alhague, Rasalhague, "head of the serpent collector."
  • In "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 56 "a (in the head) is called Ras al Hagus (Arabic), the head of him who holds."
  • Rolleston also claims "Ras al Hagus, and also Ras al Awa, as in Hercules."
• Other names for Ras Alhague: Rasalhague, Alange, Alangue, Alhague', Azalange', El Hau'we, Rasal Hayro, Ras al Haww'a, Rasalha'gue.

b Cebelrai "the shepherd's dog," in reference to a small figure seen here by the Arabs.

• Chel'eb or Celbalra'i, "dog of the shepherd," also Arabic Kalb ar-Ra'i, "The shepherd's dog."
  • Dog (See notes under Canis Major constellation names, and Sirius for more information).
    • Hebrew keleb, keh'-leb, from an unused root meaning to yelp, or else to attack, a dog, hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute, dog.
    • Sumerian ur: n., dog; carnivorous beast; servant; young man, warrior; enemy; v., to tremble; adj., humble.
• The b star in Ophiuchus and Serpens is also called Chelbalrai, "the serpent enfolding."
  • In "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 57 "b (in the jaw), named in the Arabic, Cheleb, or Chelbalrai, the serpent enfolding."
• Also see under Pisces in the constellation Cepheus, for Kelb-ar-rai.
• Also see a possible connection to a star named Mesarthim in Aries is:
  • Fat.
    • Hebrew cheleb, kheh'-leb or cheleb, khay'-leb, from an unused root meaning to be fat, grease or marrow.
• Other names for Cebelrai: Kelb Arai, Kabalrai, Cheleb, Celb-al-Rai, Celabra'i.

g Ophiuchi (no name).

d Yed Prior "the Leading Hand."

• From "hand" (before; western), also Arabic Al-Yad, the preceding one of "the hand."
• As seen in Ophiuchus constellation names regarding the Tablet of the 30 stars lists this is seen as Asterism XXV (25) Kakkab Mulu-Bat / / Pa-gar, a-sig: The Asterism Man-of-Death | | The Corpse, The Fever" of the star e (Yed Posterior) and d (Yed Prior) Ophiuchi, the stars in the left hand of the figure, grasping the Serpent.
  • Death as to Kakkab Mulu-Bat.
    • Sumerian bat: death.
    • Hebrew t^emuwthah, tem-oo-thaw', from Heb. muwth, mooth, a primary root to die, thus execution (as a doom), death, die.
  • Corpses as to Pa-gar.
    • Hebrew peger, peh'-gher, from Heb. pagar, paw-gar', a primary root to relax, i.e. become exhausted, be faint, thus a carcase (as limp), whether man or beast, fig. an idolatrous image, carcase, corpse, dead body.
  • J. Epping (1889) "Astronmisches Aus Babylon," provides the Babylonian and Hassan Al-Saba (Saudia Arabia) provides the Arabic source for the following 28 lunar mansion names listed as:
    • Babylonian #25 Kaššudšakatar-pa.
      • Under Serpends constellation names is a mention of J or q (theta) (Kashud) Ophiuchi, but the star also has a name of Al'ya, as the tip of the snakes tail.
    • (No Arabic comparison is mentioned).
  • Fever as to a-sig.
    • Sumerian si; su; sa; sa₅: v., to fill up; to fill with (with -da-); to survey a field; to inundate; to be full; to be sufficient; to increase; to compensate, repay, replace; to grow weak (probably reduplication class) (cf., sum, sug₆, rúg, sig); adj., suitable, fit.
    • Hebrew qaddachath, kad-dakh'-ath, from Heb. qadach, kaw-dakh', a primary root to inflame, burn, kindle, thus inflammation, i.e. febrile disease, burning ague, fever.
• Other names for Yed: Yod, Jed.

e Yed Posterior "the Following Hand."

• From "hand" (after; eastern), also Arabic Al-Yad, the succeeding one of "the hand."
• Other names for Yed: Yod, Jed.

z Ophiuchi (no name).

• One source calls this star Han.

h Sabik a name of uncertain origin, but could be "the preceding."

• Also note the Arabic As-Sabiq.
• Other names for Sabik: Saik.

l Marfik 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.
  • Also under Hercules Star Names is k Marsic which is Arabic for "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 word sword, Psalm 42:10.
        • Sword.
          • 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.

Other stars not shown here are: In the left shoulder area i, and k,
In the left leg area u, f, y, w, and p,
In the right leg area we see x, b, q, 36, and 45,
In the right side of the body is 99, m, and n,
and in the area of the dog is 67, 70, and <72,
to round out the 26 stars of Ophiuchus.

Other star names not identified are:

• Rolleston gives these:
  • "Megarus, contending (Megeros), conflict."
  • "Triophas, treading under foot."
  • "Saiph (in the foot), bruised,"
  • "and "Carnebus, bruised, the wounding."

Star Clusters of Ophiuchus
    Three faint globular clusters, M10, M12, and M14 are at extreme remote distances, and can be seen within the area of a triangle set up by straight lines joining d Yed Prior and stars g and m.
    Globular cluster, M9 is adjacent to a line joining stars h and x.
    M19 is south-west of q.

Return to Constellation Names for Ophiuchus.

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