A seasoned and experienced taxi driver from our area asked me At the end of the year, she decided to transform the family jewelry she had inherited over the course of her life into something completely new and very personal: She wanted her symbolic zodiac sign, Libra, to be a pendant, using most of the gemstones from her old jewelry. The recycled gold would be used to create a pendant and a necklace designed exactly according to her wishes.
Desired – done: As always, it all begins with melting down the many old pieces of jewelry.
A portion of the melted gold was to be used to create a coarse-link chain made of small links, firmly but flexibly connected by eyelets. The surface of the chain links would later be given an alternating matte or shiny finish.
The remaining gold was rolled into a strong gold sheet, from which the pendant in the shape of a scale was then sawn out. My client had personally chosen the shape of the scale during a visit to my studio.
Originally, it was supposed to be a compass-shaped pendant. However, my customer was delighted with my suggestion to tailor this new creation even more closely to her personality, for example, by incorporating her own zodiac sign, Libra, and gratefully accepted it. She even added the lovely idea of stamping some numbers and dates between the gemstones that have had a special meaning for her in her life so far.
After designing all surfaces in a contrasting, alternating matte or glossy finish and after setting almost all suitable gemstones from the old family jewelry – including many diamonds and two rubies – my customer was able to enjoy the new and very individual necklace, designed exactly according to her wishes in every detail:
The zodiac sign Libra – A celestial sign between science and mythology
The zodiac sign Libra (Latin: Libra) belongs to the 88 officially recognized constellations of modern astronomy and is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. It lies on the ecliptic—the area of the sky through which the sun moves over the course of a year—and therefore plays an important role not only in astronomy but also in astrology. The zodiac sign Libra is the only sign of the zodiac that represents an inanimate object: a scale. All other eleven signs symbolize animals or humans.
Location and visibility in the sky
The zodiac sign Libra lies between the constellations Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east. It is best seen in the night sky of the Northern Hemisphere during the spring and summer months, especially in May and June. Its stars are not particularly bright, making it difficult to see in light-polluted areas. However, it does have some prominent stars that give it its typical scale-like appearance.
The most important stars of Libra are:
Zubenelgenubi (Alpha Librae): The brightest star in the constellation. Its name comes from Arabic and means "southern claw," referring to its historical connection to the neighboring astrological figure Scorpio.
Zubeneschamali (Beta Librae): The second brightest star in Libra. Interestingly, this star was described in ancient times as greenish—a rare perception for stars.
Zubenelakrab (Gamma Librae): Another star whose name also comes from Arabic and means the northern “scissors”.
Mythology and history
The zodiac sign Libra has a fascinating mythological past. In Babylonian astronomy, Libra was originally considered part of the constellation Scorpio—the pincers of the scorpion. It was only the Romans who began to consider it a separate constellation. In Roman mythology, Libra is often associated with the goddess Justitia (the Roman goddess of justice), who is frequently depicted holding a pair of scales. This symbolism of justice and balance has survived to this day, including in depictions of Justitia on courthouses.
In Egyptian mythology, the symbol of the scales also held special significance. It was associated with the judgment of the dead, in which the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Maat—the goddess of truth and order. If the heart was lighter than the feather, the deceased was allowed to enter the afterlife.
Libra in Astrology
In astrology, the zodiac sign Libra represents balance, a sense of justice, harmony, and beauty. People born between September 23 and October 23 are considered to be under the sign of Libra. They are said to be diplomatic, sociable, and aesthetically inclined. At the same time, however, they are also said to be somewhat indecisive and have a desire for harmony—they want to please everyone and often have difficulty making clear decisions.
Astronomical features
Although the Libra constellation doesn't have any particularly striking stars, it is still astronomically interesting. Some of its stars are part of binary star systems, making it interesting for amateur astronomers. Furthermore, Libra lies close to the galactic plane, meaning it is found in a star-rich part of the sky—ideal for telescope stargazing.
Conclusion
The zodiac sign Libra is a fascinating celestial object that plays a significant role in both mythology and science. Although it is one of the more obscure constellations, it tells stories of justice, balance, and the search for harmony – themes that continue to move people today. Anyone observing the night sky will discover in Libra not only a constellation, but also a symbol of the balance of the universe.