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Why Is the Big Dipper Called the Big Dipper?

The seven most prominent stars in the constellation Ursa Major form a familiar star pattern, which astronomers term an asterism. While other cultures have gazed toward this group of stars and envisioned other objects, in North America, it has the name "Big Dipper."

Ladle
- The Big Dipper nickname came from the fact that the seven stars seem to form a handle and bowl that resemble a large drinking ladle.
Drinking Gourd
- The African-American slaves that saw the Big Dipper called it the "Drinking Gourd" and would follow this constellation in an attempt to reach freedom in northern states, since the Big Dipper lies in the northern part of the sky.
Great Bear
- Ursa Major means "Great Bear," and the Native Americans saw the Big Dipper portion of the constellation as the body and tail of the animal.
Other Objects
- In England and Ireland, this part of the sky gained recognition as a plough or butcher's cleaver. Other European countries looked to this area and saw a wagon.
Alaskan Flag
- The flag of Alaska features seven brilliant yellow stars in the pattern of the Big Dipper as well as one larger yellow star, which represents Polaris, also known as the North Star.

Astronomy