The Virgin has been figured with the palm branch in her right hand and the spica, or ear of wheat, in her left. It is claimed that when the sun was in Virgo, she was a sunburnt damsel, with an ear of corn in her hand, like a gleaner in the fields. It is said that the wheat seeds dropping from the sheaths became the stars of the Milky Way. The Sumerians assigned this constellation to their sixth month as the Message of Istar. The Chinese called her She Sang Neu, the Frigid Maiden but in earlier times it was Shun Wei, the Serpent as part of the Red Bird. The brightest star, Spica is the sheaf of wheat. Many ancient temples in Egypt and Greece were oriented to it. In ancient times is was a source of eminence, renown and riches. The Chinese called Spica, Kio, the Horn or Spike. The Hindus knew Spica as Citra and figured it as a Lamp or Pearl.

This constellation was the slayer of Orion since it rises as Orion sets in the sky. It is one of the oldest constellations recorded around the world as far back as 5000 BC. Alchemists held it in high regard, for only when the sun was in this sign could the transmutation of iron into gold be performed. In early China it was the Hare and part of the Azure Dragon. It was also known as the Crowned Snake by some. The Akkadian called it Girtab, the Seizer or Stinger. Biblical Abraham was associated with the Eagle representation of Scorpio. Historically, bright star novas have been recorded in this constellation which may be the foundation for why the ancients maligned its meaning. Antares is one of the bright measuring stars of the sky and is considered the Heart of the Scorpion. It is exactly 180 degrees from Aldebaran in Taurus. The Persians called it one of the four Royal Stars and Guardian of the Heavens. The Chinese called it Who Sing, the Fire Star. The Egyptians associated it with the goddess Selkit, heralding the sunrise at the autumnal equinox about 3700-3500 B.C. Some of the early Grecian temples were oriented toward the rising or setting of Antares at the vernal equinox.