#eridanus

Erid & Ombi

The amount of work I put into this was a little crazy lol. Looking up as many stars as I could and trying to get the shape of it right was hard too. Plus finding out what star is where was insane. Each star shape is represented by a different magnitude (one or two might’ve been fudged a little)

I just love this constellation so much now for a variety of reasons. Might get it tattooed one day.

Constellation: Eridanus

Hemisphere: South Hemisphere

Brightest Star: Achernar (Alpha Eridani)

Mythical Representation: River

OC: Alfonso Salazar

Why Eridanus represents Alfonso correctly?

A river births in a mountain and runs a long trek to discharge in the ocean. So, metaphorically it represent Alfonso's path to recover his wellbeing.

Alfonso is represented as a water spirit, like if he were the very soul of the river.

It has nothing to do with the original myth of the God Helios and his son Phaethon riding in a joyride.

This is the surprise I was talking about! Well, the first of 5 surprises! I remember telling @flowerbloom-arts about wanting to do something like this!

I mean, somebody remember the halloween posters from last year? Here's some examples!

And also partially inspired by the OC Collabs of @ardate and @dynamitedraws!

I've been planning it since October 2025, but until now I haven't figured it what I wanted to do.

Let me to show you the other 4 remaining surprises!

Journey Through Life - Zenith and Nadir

What's above, you'll find it close to the earth. What's hidden beneath, it stretches its ends to the sky. In this journey of life look beyond the surface to see anew And allow the truth of ancient knowledge to reveal itself.

-Hazam the Hermit

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I've had this vision in my head for years and step by step, month by month I finally managed to realise it and draw something personal.

The whole scene and the meaning is open to interpretation. One can dig it and perhaps find something unearthly..

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The Eridanus constellation, or Eridani, is of course also the namesake of the Star Trek: Eridani show, as well as the NCC-1967, the starship Saavik captains.

But what is the connection between this Terran asterism and her character, especially considering that she is half-Vulcan?

To start, this constellation contains the 40 Eridani star system, which eagle eyed fans will recognize as the Terran designation for the Vulcan system. 40 Eridani A, or Keid as humans call it, is T'Khasi and T'Khut's sun. Hence, the choice of this constellation for the name of the show and of the ships, on the parts of the showrunners, came from it's connection to Vulcan itself. Thematically, it shows her connection to, and her choice to connect with, Vulcan, its people and it's culture, over the Romulan colony she was born on. (The Terran designation of the Romulan colony Thieurull, or Hellguard, is 872 Trianguli V, making it the fifth planet orbiting a star visible in the Triangulum constellation.) Saavik chose the Vulcan way, and makes conscious decision everyday to continue upholding the principle of Surak. Much like Spock, her mentor, she has struggled with that and this inner conflict can still be present, but despite that, she continues choosing this path.

To continue on the idea of path, the constellation Eridanus is represented as a river, a mythical river in Greek myths, and the Po river in current day Italy. (We will come back to the mythological links later). Rivers, or water sources in general, are both scarce and insanely valuable on Vulcan. It is something to be sought and in ancient time defended to the price of one's life. Saavik's very presence on Vulcan and as a Vulcan citizen was due to Spock fighting for the children of Hellguard's claim to their citizenship. In the way warriors of old would defend their water source, he defended them, and by extension, her.

Rivers also symbolise journeys and paths, being one of humanities earliest transportation mechanism and guides through a territory. Just like a river, Starfleet, and the crew that Saavik leads, explore space and carve a new path on their journey. Rivers are also relentless natural landmarks, even if people very often underestimates them. Under a calm surface can lay treacherous currents, and a lazy flow can quickly give way to violent rapids. This imagery suits Saavik and her composure quite well, while also illustrating how it can crack and lead to violent outbursts, especially in her youth.

In Greek mythology, the Eridanus river depicted in the constellation is associated with the myth of Phaethon. According to Wikipedia: Phaeton took over the reins of his father Helios' sky chariot, the Sun, but did not have the strength to control it and veered wildly in different directions, scorching or freezing the Earth and heaven. Zeus intervened, striking Phaethon dead with a thunderbolt and casting him to Earth. The path of the constellation is said to be the descent of Phaeton before crashing into Earth. »