The head, Caput Draconis
constellation Draco
Nope; unrelated. "Caput Draconis" and "Cauda Draconis" are the old
astronomical/astrological names for the "ascending" and "descending"
nodes of the Moon, which of course move against the background of the
fixed stars and thus cannot have anything to do with any
constellation: their precession is in fact fairly heavily used and
commented on in astrology.
So how exactly did "Draco" get into the nomenclature here? I don't know.
Oh, now I understand what Peter tried to say! Sorry Peter, and thanks
Bill! I didn't realize Peter meant the Moon's nodes because
I had never heard that name. It's a nice idea for a graphical decoration
on sundials (by the way, is there another picture for the solstices?),
but as regards to names, I prefer the more straightforward of 'March and
September equinoxes'. However, we'll adopt the name that
should be less confusing both for Northerns and Southerns.
Best regards,
Anselmo Perez Serrada
P.S.: Maybe this image is related to the old Chinese legend that
eclipses were produced by a dragon trying to eat up the Moon?
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