The Seven Sisters

#greek-myths

The Pleiades star cluster has fascinated cultures across the world. In Greek mythology, it was remembered as "The Seven Sisters of the Pleiades."

The seven sisters were:

• Maia
• Electra
• Taygete
• Alcyone
• Celaeno
• Sterope
• Merope

But there was a problem. Although the cluster was known as the Seven Sisters, most people could clearly see only six stars in the sky.

Greek mythology offered several explanations.

One tradition says that Merope's star grew faint because she married the mortal Sisyphus, unlike her sisters, who were associated with gods. Ashamed of her mortal union, she hid herself from view.

Another tradition identifies the missing star with Electra. After the fall of Troy and the destruction of her descendants, Electra was said to have withdrawn from the company of her sisters in grief.

Thus, Greek tradition preserved a celestial idea: seven sisters were remembered, yet only six stars were easily visible in the night sky.

Posted: Jun 21, 2026