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The Gemini Twins

• Castor (Kastor)
• Pollux (Polydeukes)

In classical mythology, Castor and Pollux were twin sons of Leda and brothers of Helen of Troy.  In Greek, they were called the "Dioskouri" or "sons of Zeus," while in Latin, they were called "Gemini" or "twins."  There was a temple in Ancient Rome—the Temple of Castor and Pollux—dedicated to the twins. The concert hall in Birmingham, England—the Birmingham Town Hall—is modeled on this temple.

Gemini is also a constellation and one of the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.  "Gemini" has also been used as the name of several other things, such as NASA's Project Gemini, its second manned space project, and the Gemini Awards, given out for the best television productions in Canada.

How It's Used

"Our reddish neighbor, Mars, sits high in the south in the constellation Gemini at sunset, holding court with stars Castor and Pollux. If you watch the planet's movement, you will notice it scooting toward Pollux next month."

"A suite of movements from Rameau's 1737 opera Castor et Pollux opened the programme, with Fischer bringing both a spring to the dance rhythms and a depth to the harmonic colouring. Soprano Grace Davidson was the soloist in the closing ariette, Brillez, Brillez Astres Nouveaux, a hymn to the brothers Castor and Pollux ascending the skies as the new constellation Gemini."

"Men are not 'dead' or 'killed'; they are 'fallen'. Then there are the mighty monuments themselves. The South African memorial at Delville Wood, Longueval is an impressively huge classical item, topped by Castor and Pollux and bearing the legend: 'Their ideal is our legacy, their sacrifice our inspiration.' One must tread carefully here. Of the 3,200 South African soldiers who entered Delville Wood on July 15, 1916, only 143 emerged unharmed five days later."

"By Wednesday evening the crescent moon will sit just below and to the left of Gemini's two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux, and by Friday evening the crescent will sit below Regulus, the brightest star in Leo. By Saturday evening, the moon will have waxed to first quarter phase and sit below Saturn and Leo."

"The planned adjoining Winter Garden will feature a 14,000-square- foot enclosed courtyard, with sculpture, evergreen plants, and two "spitting" stone turtle fountains, to be named Castor and Pollux, the twin brothers of Greek and Roman mythology."

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