The name of the constellation, Taurus, means “bull” in Latin. The constellation is symbolized by the bull’s head, ♉.
Taurus is known for its brightest stars Aldebaran, Elnath and Alcyone. It is also home to the Pleiades (Messier 45), also known as the Seven Sisters, and the Hyades, the two closest open star clusters to Earth.
Representations of Taurus and the Pleiades star cluster have even been found in a cave painting at Lascaux, dating back to 15,000 BC. The constellation and the Pleiades have been known in many indigenous cultures and referred to as the Bull and the Seven Sisters, indicating a common origin for the names.
In Greek mythology, Taurus is usually associated with Zeus, who adopted the form of a bull in order to seduce and abduct Europa, the daughter of the Phoenician king Agenor.
