In Dutch we don't use the Latin names for zodiac signs (and we call them "sterrenbeelden", which means "star images" or maybe "star statues"). Aquarius is "waterman", which I guess would translate to (surprise) "water man".

Why? Not sure, but it might be because of Simon Stevin who insisted we use Dutch words for mathematical concepts, and thought up some words like "evenwijdig" ("same distancey") for "parallel" and "wiskunde" ("certainty knowledge") for mathematics.

[–] rbhfd@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Literally, "water man" is correct. But I would translate it a bit more loosely as "water bearer".

Most, if not all, names of zodiac signs in Dutchare are literal translations from Latin. But while most people understand that Leo means Lion, how many know Cancer is Latin for crab?

[–] joranvar@feddit.nl 2 points 9 months ago

Water bearer makes much more sense, thanks! I did notice the images where a guy carries a jug, but as a kid, I always imagined the water man to be some kind of elemental, and I never consciously challenged that idea. Haha.

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