Bible Word of the Day

Castor and Pollux (Mythological Greek Gods)

Meaning
The identity of Castor and Pollux comes from a Greek fable. The Greek story says that Leda a human woman was admired by Zeus. And since Zeus was said to be a promiscuous god he therefore seduced her by pretending to be a swan. Zeus flew into her arms for protection from a pursuing eagle. And the myth states that Zeus consummated his love for her, on the same night Leda lay with her husband Tyndareus, the result of the union were two eggs. From one egg hatched Helen of Troy from the other egg hatched Castor and Pollux.

Castor and Pollux were said to be responsible for the safety of those people who traveled by sea. And the protection would be even greater if those people were sailors. And because of this myth many Greek sailing ships had the heads of Castor and Pollux carved on their hulls. As a matter of fact, we see mention of this tradition by the Apostle Paul. When as a prisoner, he sailed on an Alexandrian ship, Paul tells us the ship had the likenesses of  Castor and Pollux carved into the front of the ship. Paul was heading for Rome in order to appeal his case directly to Ceasar and preach the Gospel. Castor and Pollux were often referred to as the “Twin Brothers.”