Astro*Dictionary
by Michael Erlewine

1 article for
"Berenice, Hair of"

(Coma Berenices) Constellation of dim stars. Ptolemy associated it with the moon and Venus (symbols of beauty and loveliness), and also with eye problems. Berenice was the wife of King Ptolemy III of Egypt (246-221 BC; not to be confused with Ptolemy the mathematician and astronomer). She cut off all her hair once as a token sacrifice for her husband's well-being in the Syrian war. This only proved to enrage him. He was soothed, however, when a priest/astrologer explained that the Hair of Berenice had risen to heaven to become a constellation.

 

See also:
♦ Conon ♦ Constellation