Leo - zodiac sign

The constellation is a mythological monster, a huge lion that harasses the inhabitants of the peaceful valley of Nemea, whose skin cannot be pierced by any spear.

The name comes from the lion, which Hercules had to defeat in order to complete one of his twelve tasks (usually killing a lion was considered the first, since the hero received armor made of lion's skin, which made him immune to blows). Nemean lion he was an animal with unusual characteristics. According to myths, not a single blade could even scratch his skin. However, Hercules managed to do the impossible. Initially, the hero shot a barrage of arrows at the Nemean lion, broke his club and bent his sword. The lion overcame only the cunning of Hercules. After Hercules initially lost the battle, the animal retreated into a cave with two entrances. The hero hung the net at one end and entered through the other entrance. A fight broke out again, Hercules lost his finger in it, but he managed to grab Leo, hug him by the neck and strangle the animal. Standing in front of the donor of the twelve works, King Eurystheus, he, to everyone's amazement, ripped open the skin of the Nemean lion using a lion's claw. Having removed the lion's skin, Hercules put it on, and it was in this outfit that he was often portrayed. The brightest star of Leo, Regulus, was in ancient times a symbol of the monarchy.