[Physltest] [Phys-L] Re: planet symbols

[James Mackey <jmackey@HARDING.EDU>]

Herbert H Gottlieb wrote:

> On Fri, 07 Jan 2005 10:44:06 -0500 Anthony Lapinski
> <anthony_lapinski@PDS.ORG> writes:
>
>
> > In my astronomy class I give a handout of planet symbols, where they
> > came from, and what they mean. Kids always are curious. For example,
> Mars
>
>
> > was named for the Roman god of war. The symbol is a circle with an
> > arrow, indicating a shield and spear. I have a few questions.
> >
> > 1. What was Earth named for?
>
> *** According to my World Book Encyclopedia,Vol E Page 10,
>   "Earth means many things to the people who live on it."
>    The encyclopedia doesn't attempt to tell what the Earth was named
> for.
>
>
> > 2. What was the Sun named for? Its symbol is a circle with a dot in
> > the center. What does it mean?
>
> *** It was probably named for the first day of the week, which is Sunday.
>    Sunday means that teachers have more time to mark their students test
> papers
>    Where did the symbol for the sun come from??
>
> *** It might have been named for the sun god.
>     When the sun is out it means a nice day.
>
>
>
> > 3. How about the Moon? Named after anything?
>
> *** Could it have been named for the people who do it for the TV cameras?
>
> (:-
>
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
>
>     *** Even the very little help that I have given you here ?????
>
> Herb Gottlieb from New York City
> A friendly  place to live and visit where we sun in the summer and
> moon about the sunshine during the winter
 From website
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?IM_ID=167

I found the following, which may help:
"Planet Symbols
The symbols for the planets, Moon and Sun (along with the symbols for
the zodiac constellations) were developed for use in both astronomy and
astrology. The astronomical symbol for the Sun is a shield with a circle
inside. Some believe this inner circle, or "boss" represents a central
sun spot. The symbol for Mercury represents the head and winged cap of
Mercury, god of commerce and communication, surmounting his caduceus
(staff). The symbol for Venus is designated as the female symbol,
thought to be the stylized representation of the hand mirror of this
goddess of love. The symbol for Earth shows a globe bisected by meridian
lines into four quarters. The symbol for the Moon is a crescent. The
symbol for Mars represents the shield and spear of the god of war, Mars;
it is also the male or masculine symbol. The symbol for Jupiter is said
to represent a hieroglyph of the eagle, Jove's bird, or to be the
initial letter of Zeus with a line drawn through it to indicate its
abbreviation. The symbol for Saturn is thought to be an ancient scythe
or sickel, as Saturn was the god of seed-sowing and also of time. The
symbol for Uranus is represented by combined devices indicating the Sun
plus the spear of Mars, as Uranus was the personification of heaven in
Greek mythology, dominated by the light of the Sun and the power of
Mars. The symbol for Neptune is the trident (long three-pronged fork or
weapon) of Neptune, god of the sea. The symbol for Pluto is a monogram
made up of P and L in Pluto (and also the initials of Percival Lowell,
who predicted its discovery).

Image Credit:: Lunar and Planetary Institute"

James Mackey
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