The Myth Behind Pisces: Venus and Cupid’s Aquatic Escape

At the end of the zodiac cycle, Pisces closes the celestial sequence with profound imagination and tender empathy, offering a poetic finale. Its guardian symbol isn’t a single majestic deity but a millennia-old myth—a tale of love, crisis, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child.

The Basic Profile of Pisces

Pisces (February 20 – March 20) is the twelfth sign of the zodiac. Represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, it embodies the soul’s tension between reality and idealism, matter and spirit. This duality grants Pisces exceptional intuition and artistic sensitivity, making it the most empathetic sign of the twelve.

A Divine Feast Interrupted

According to Roman mythology, the goddess Venus once attended a grand banquet reserved exclusively for the gods, accompanied by her son, the little god of love, Cupid. On that day, goddesses outshone one another in dazzling attire, while gods gathered in lively groups, raising goblets and engaging in spirited conversation. The divine children, unable to contain their excitement, played hide-and-seek among the marble columns. The atmosphere was serene and joyous.

But just as the celebration reached its peak, a terrifying intruder burst in—uninvited and malicious. With a grotesque visage and evil intent, he overturned banquet tables, scattering delicacies across the floor, and hurled ornamental planters into the central pool, sending water splashing everywhere. His horrifying expression sent every guest into panic. What had been a harmonious gathering instantly descended into chaos—screams echoed, children wailed, and gods fled in disarray.

Mother and Son, Transformed into Fish

In the midst of the turmoil, Venus suddenly realized Cupid was missing. Forgetting her own safety, she frantically searched through overturned furniture and shattered vessels, calling his name repeatedly. At last, beneath a broken table, she found her trembling son, paralyzed by fear and tears streaming down his face.

Venus pulled him tightly into her arms, overwhelmed by maternal instinct. Knowing they could easily be separated again in such pandemonium, she quickly devised a plan. She took a strong ribbon and tied their ankles together securely. Then, invoking divine magic, mother and son transformed—into two fish, their tails linked by the very ribbon that bound them.

They leapt into the nearby waters and swiftly swam away from the disaster. That connecting ribbon, rather than restricting their freedom, became a symbol of their eternal unity. Moved by this profound devotion, the gods later placed the pair among the stars, where they shine today as the constellation Pisces. 🌸