Names: Nymphadora, Bellatrix, and Andromeda

[lorien_eve]

No: HPFGUIDX 63951

We know that JKR uses a lot of historical and mythological names. I 
took some time to look up a few of them and found out some 
interesting things I thought I'd share.

Nymphadora--she was a martyr in Bithynia, a place somewhere in modern-
day Turkey. Sorry I couldn't find out more about her--like why she 
was considered a martyr, but I searched several sites and this is all 
there was.

Bellatrix--is the 22nd brightest star. It's a yellow star that marks 
Orion's left shoulder. "Bellatrix" translates to "female warrior", 
also known as Amazonian Star. Influence of the constellation: It is 
said to give a strong and dignified nature, self-confidence, 
inconstancy, arrogance, violence, impiety, and prosperity in trade 
and particularly in voyages or abroad, but danger of treachery and 
poison.  General influence of the star: According to Ptolemy it is 
like Mars and Mercury; and, to Alvidas, Mercury and Mars in good 
aspect. It gives great civil or military honor but danger of sudden 
dishonor, renown, wealth, eminent friends and liability to accidents 
causing blindness and ruin. If prominent in a woman's map it makes 
her loquacious and shrewish, and gives a high-pitched, hard and sharp 
voice. (Robson). If positive properties can be drawn out, will lead 
to advancement and success, but those who succeed always have to 
allow for being surrounded with envy and hatred. Quick decision 
making, thoughts and plans being realized with energy, courage, 
fighting spirit, strategic talents, ability to organize, 
discrimination. Reckless aggressiveness of a belligerent daredevil. 
(Ebertin). There was, obviously, *a lot* of info on her!

Andromeda--Andromeda was one of the earliest of constellations to be 
named by the ancient Greek astronomers. Her name means "Chained 
Princess", and according to Greek mythology she was the daughter of 
King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia who ruled the ancient country on 
the coast of Africa called Aethiopia (unrelated to modern day 
Ethiopia). Andromeda thought she was quite beautiful, and made no 
attempts to keep quiet about it. She went around bragging that she 
was more beautiful than the Nereids, the sea nymphs, only to make the 
god of the sea, Poseidon, angry. Poseion then sent the monster, 
Cetus, to ravage the kingdom. Cepheus and Cassiopeia were advised by 
an oracle that the only way to appease Cetus was to sacrifice 
Andromeda, and so they chained her to a rock along the coastline and 
left her to die. However, before Cetus could devour her, she was 
rescued by Perseus riding on his winged horse, Pegasus, as he was 
returning from killing the ugly sisters, the Gorgons. When he pulled 
the head of the ugliest sister, Medusa, out of his bag, Cetus saw it, 
turned to stone, and sank. Many of the characters in this story are 
also constellations that can be found in the same vicinity of the sky 
as Andromeda, namely Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Cetus, Perseus, and 
Pegasus. 

Whew! Lots of information, I know. I hope a lot of you read through 
it, though, because I found it really interesting.

Lorien_Eve