“Pollux, the Gemini Star: A Tale of Two Brothers”

Pollux is the brightest star in the constellation Gemini, the twins. Named after the twin brothers Castor and Pollux from Greek mythology, this star is a symbol of brotherly love and loyalty, but also of darkness and tragedy.

According to the myth, Castor and Pollux were the two sons of Leda, the queen of Sparta. However, they had different fathers: Castor was mortal, while Pollux was the son of Zeus, the god of thunder. Despite their different lineages, the brothers were inseparable and shared many adventures together.

One day, while on a quest for adventure, Castor was killed. Pollux was devastated by the loss of his beloved brother and begged Zeus to let him share his immortality with Castor. Moved by Pollux's love, Zeus granted his wish, and the brothers became the constellation Gemini, forever united in the night sky. Pollux, the brighter star of the two, represents the immortal brother, 【苏珊星座】while Castor, the dimmer star, symbolizes the mortal one.

However, the story of Castor and Pollux is not all happy endings and eternal love. In some versions of the myth, Castor and Pollux were not only brothers, but also lovers. The ancient Greeks did not have the same taboos about homosexuality as modern society, and male-male relationships were accepted in certain circles. Nevertheless, the passion between Castor and Pollux was still considered taboo, and their bond was seen as a source of shame and scandal.

Moreover, the myth of Castor and Pollux is not the only instance of brothers in Greek mythology whose love for each other went beyond the boundaries of fraternal affection. The myth of Iphis and Ianthe, for instance, tells the story of two girls who fall in love and are eventually transformed into male and female by the goddess Isis so that they can marry. Similarly, the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice portrays a man who descends into the underworld to rescue his wife, but ultimately fails and chooses to be reunited with her in death.

What these myths share in common is a sense of tragic love, of passion that is forbidden by society or destiny. They also reveal a fascination with the idea of transformation, whether through death, divine intervention, or sexual reassignment. Perhaps this fascination reflects the Greeks' own fluidity of gender and identity, as well as their belief in the transformative power of art, music, and poetry.

In any case, Pollux, the Gemini star, reminds us of the power of love to transcend boundaries and endure beyond death. Whether as a symbol of brotherly devotion or forbidden passion, Pollux shines bright in the sky and beckons us to explore the mysteries of the human heart.