Leo (constellation)

Originally posted to Shrubbery, 13 Oct 2003

There are several stories about Leo, the fifth zodiacal constellation. Most of them agree that Leo represents a lion; the sticking point is which lion. I'll go with the Nemean Lion.

This particular story involves another of the Twelve Labours of Heracles. The first task Heracles had to accomplish was that of killing the lion which had been terrorising the plain of Nemea.

Heracles went forth with his usual weapons to track down the lion, but as the lion charged at him he discovered that its skin was impervious to sharp objects. Heracles' arrows and sword were easily deflected. Finally the hero had to discard all of his weapons and strangle the enormous cat with his bare hands.

Once the lion was dead Heracles decided to skin it and keep the hide. Again he found that no knife could cut the skin. After many attempts Heracles ended up using the lion's own claws to cut and prepare the hide.

Heracles wore the hide (using the lion's head as a hood) on the rest of his adventures, as the indestructible skin was able to protect him better than any armour would have. In ancient Greek art Heracles is generally represented as wearing the lion's skin.