The Mythological Origins of Andromeda and Virgo in Saint Seiya

In the legendary anime Saint Seiya, two constellations stand out with deeply rooted mythological backgrounds: Andromeda and Virgo. Shun, one of the five Bronze Saints, wears the Andromeda Cloth, while Saga, the Gold Saint, is tied to the Virgo Gold Cloth. But what connects these celestial figures to Greek mythology? Let’s explore their fascinating origins.

Andromeda: The Chained Princess

Andromeda’s story begins in ancient Ethiopia. King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia had a daughter, Princess Andromeda, known for her extraordinary beauty. Queen Cassiopeia, however, grew boastful, claiming her daughter surpassed even the sea nymphs in beauty. This arrogance angered Poseidon, god of the sea, who sent a sea monster to ravage Ethiopia’s coast.

To appease Poseidon, the king was forced to chain Andromeda to a coastal rock as a sacrifice. Just as the sea monster approached, the hero Perseus—fresh from slaying Medusa—flew overhead on his winged horse, Pegasus. Using Medusa’s severed head, Perseus turned the monster to stone, rescuing Andromeda. The two later married, and the gods immortalized them as constellations: Andromeda, Perseus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, and even the sea monster as Cetus.

Andromeda is one of the 48 constellations cataloged by Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It lies north of the celestial equator and is home to the magnificent Andromeda Galaxy (M31), one of the largest galaxies in our local group.

Was Andromeda an African Princess?

Given that Ethiopia is in Africa, it’s intriguing to consider Andromeda as a Black princess. Historically, Ethiopia is one of Africa’s oldest civilizations, often celebrated for its rich culture and, interestingly, for being a land known for beauty. Often called the “Land of Beautiful People,” Ethiopia has been an exception to stereotypical narratives, proving that beauty is diverse and universal.

Virgo: The Goddess of Spring

Virgo’s myth centers on Persephone, daughter of Demeter, the goddess of harvest. Persephone was known as the spring maiden—wherever she walked, flowers bloomed. One day, while gathering blossoms in a meadow, she was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld, who had fallen in love with her.

Demeter, devastated, abandoned her duties to search for her daughter. In her grief, the earth became barren—crops failed, and humanity faced famine. Zeus intervened, ordering Hades to release Persephone. However, Hades tricked her into eating pomegranate seeds, binding her to the underworld for part of each year.

This compromise created the seasons: spring and summer when Persephone rejoins her mother, and autumn and winter when she returns to the underworld. Zeus later placed Persephone among the stars as the constellation Virgo, the sixth sign of the zodiac, governing those born between August 23 and September 22.

The Symbolism in Saint Seiya

In Saint Seiya, the Virgo Gold Cloth is depicted as a kneeling maiden—a poignant nod to Persephone’s plight, perhaps symbolizing her prayer to return to her mother. Similarly, Shun’s Andromeda Cloth reflects chains and protection, echoing Princess Andromeda’s sacrifice and eventual liberation.

These myths remind us how deeply astrology and storytelling are intertwined, giving depth to the characters we admire and the stars we look up to.