The Cosmic Hearth

[orion25]

The constellation we know as Orion has significance in many cultures across the globe. For the Maya, Orion is considered the region of creation. The stars Alnitak, Saiph and Rigel form the three hearth stones (prevalent in traditional Mayan homes), and the Orion Nebula (M42) represents the cosmic fire. An apt analogy for this hotbed of stellar creation, one of the closer nebulae to us, a mere 1350 light years away!

 

Sources: https://bookofthrees.com/mayan-culture-the-hearth-stones-of-creation/
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/WISE/multimedia/pia16684.html

[Ruud]

The primordial fire, imagine that. It have burnt very hot when it was first lit.

[orion25]

3 hours ago, Ruud said:

The primordial fire, imagine that. It have burnt very hot when it was first lit.

Yes, I believe so. Can you image how fascinating the sky must have been to the Ancients?

[Ruud]

It's difficult to know for sure, but we here at the SGL must be more fascinated with the sky than the general public is, now or ever!