Libra Zodiac Star Map
Libra, the seventh sign of the zodiac, is the only zodiacal constellation representing an object rather than a living being. Governed by Venus, it embodies harmony, diplomacy and a sense of justice. Give a star map that immortalises this constellation of balance as it shone at a precious moment in their life.
The perfect gift for a Libra: a personalised star map that celebrates their quest for harmony. Whether for a birthday between September 23 and October 22, a wedding, an engagement or a couple’s anniversary, this map captures the sky with the elegance they cherish. A present that reflects their love of beauty.
Key Stars
Zubeneschamali
Beta Librae, magnitude 2.6. The brightest star in Libra, its Arabic name means “the northern claw,” recalling the era when Libra was part of Scorpio. Zubeneschamali is famous for being one of the very few stars visible to the naked eye with a greenish tint, a phenomenon still debated by astronomers.
Zubenelgenubi
Alpha Librae, magnitude 2.7. Its Arabic name means “the southern claw.” It is actually a double star easily split with binoculars or even the naked eye under good conditions. The two components, separated by 5 arcminutes, offer a lovely colour contrast — white and pale yellow. It marks the southern pan of the celestial scales.
Mythology
In Greek mythology, Libra represents the scales of justice held by Astraea, goddess of justice and innocence. It is intimately connected to the neighbouring constellation Virgo, as Astraea was the last immortal to leave Earth in the face of humanity’s growing corruption. Upon ascending to the heavens, she took her scales with her, a symbol of equity and measure.
But the story of Libra is older still. For the Babylonians, it represented the scales of Shamash, god of the Sun and justice. The sign marked the autumn equinox, that precise moment when day and night are of equal length — a perfect balance inscribed in the cosmos itself. This is why Libra remains the universal symbol of harmony and measure.
Remarkably, Libra was regarded by the Greeks and Romans as the claws of the Scorpion. Its two main stars, Zubeneschamali and Zubenelgenubi, bear Arabic names meaning “the northern claw” and “the southern claw,” bearing witness to this origin. It was only under Julius Caesar that Libra was definitively separated from Scorpio to become a constellation in its own right.
When to observe
The Libra constellation is visible in June and July in the northern hemisphere, between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east. It is a faint constellation: none of its stars exceeds magnitude 2.6. To find it, locate Spica in Virgo and Antares in Scorpius, then look for the trapezoid of stars between them. A dark sky away from light pollution is recommended.