Cancer Constellation Mythology

According to the Cancer constellation history, the name and structure of this constellation has its roots in Greek mythology. It is common knowledge that Zeus, the Greek God, often indulged in promiscuity. In one of his many pursuits of pleasure, he had an affair with Alcmene, the queen of Tiryns, who later gave birth to their son Hercules (also known as Heracles). This did not go well with Hera, Zeus s younger sister and wife, who was hence determined to get Hercules killed. Therefore, among one of his 12 labors or trials, Hercules confronted with Hydra, or the water monster. At the same time, Hera sent the crab or the crustacean to distract Hercules in his battle with Hydra. The giant crab or the Cancer nipped at Hercules feet to divert his attention from Hydra. However, Hercules killed the crab by crushing its shell with his feet. Although Hera is regarded as one of the most ungrateful of the Greeks, she was pleased with the services of the crab and rewarded it by placing it in the sky. This is considered as the Cancer constellation as it resembles the crab or the crustacean. Therefore, we find that the Cancer constellation mythology is one of the most interesting and apt tales among all the constellations mythologies.

（原文出处：http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cancer-constellation-mythology.html）