Capricornus, a constellation familiar as a zodiac sign, holds one of the most ancient naming histories in the night sky. This grouping of stars, located in the southern celestial hemisphere, is traditionally represented by the distinctive image of a half-goat, half-fish hybrid. Its current name and enduring imagery result from millennia of cultural transmission, drawing from ancient Near Eastern astronomy and classical Western mythology. Its antiquity secured its status as one of the 48 constellations originally cataloged by the second-century astronomer Ptolemy.
The Latin Root of the Name
The name “Capricornus” is a Latin term describing the constellation’s imagery, derived from two components. The first part, caper, translates as “goat,” and the second element, cornū, signifies “horn.”
Therefore, the complete Latin name effectively translates to “goat-horned” or “horned goat.” The Romans adopted this designation from the earlier Greek name, Aigokeros, which similarly meant “goat-horned.” This linguistic origin anchors the constellation to its most recognizable terrestrial feature, the goat’s head.
The Ancient Goat-Fish Symbol
While the name is Latin, the constellation’s Goat-Fish symbol originated much earlier in Mesopotamia. The Sumerians and Babylonians knew this star pattern as the “Goat-Fish.” In the star catalog MUL.APIN, dating to the Middle Bronze Age around 2100 BCE, this figure was referred to as MUL.SUḪUR.MAŠ. This historical record confirms the symbol’s usage long before the classical Greek era.
This aquatic-terrestrial creature was associated with the god Enki, known to the Babylonians as Ea. Enki/Ea was the deity of water, wisdom, and creation, explaining the fish-like tail on the symbol. The constellation’s location historically marked the position of the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The Goat-Fish symbol thus connected the celestial sphere with the life-giving waters and the seasonal cycle.
Classical Mythology and the Naming
The narrative that cemented the Goat-Fish image in Western tradition involves the Greek god Pan. During a cosmic battle, the giant Typhon attacked the Olympian gods, causing them to flee and transform into animals. Pan, who had the lower body of a goat, attempted to transform into a fish to escape the creature. However, in his haste to enter the river, his transformation was incomplete.
This resulted in the Sea-Goat form, with the upper half remaining a goat and the lower half becoming a fish’s tail. Impressed by Pan’s quick thinking, Zeus honored him by placing this unique half-transformed image into the night sky. The constellation is also linked to Pricus, an immortal sea-goat created by Chronos, who was the father of this hybrid race. This Greek myth provided the story the Romans adopted, tying the Sea-Goat’s image to the constellation Capricornus.