Libra

The Beam Balance

Zuben Elgenubi - "southern claw" (of the scorpion) 

Zuben Elschemali - "northern claw" (of the scorpion)

One of the constellations of the Zodiac


Archaeological evidence suggests that Sumerians may have identified 
Libra as Zib-Ba-An-Na, or "the balance of heaven," as early as 2000 BC. 

The idea of the balance may have originated in the fact that, at that 
time, the sun was in Libra on one of the two days in the year on which 
day and night are of equal length. 

The ancient Greeks did not share this symbolism. They regarded Libra 
instead as part of Scorpius and called it Chelae, or "the claws." 

Arab astronomers followed the Greek model, naming the two brightest 
stars in the constellation Zubenelschemali, or "northern claw," and 
Zubenelgenubi, or "southern claw." 

The Romans designated Libra as a separate constellation during the 1st 
century BC, associating it once again with the scales, and giving the 
constellation its present name. 

To the Romans, Libra symbolized the scales of justice, which were held 
high by Astraeia, the goddess of justice. Rome was traditionally said to 
have been founded while the moon was in Libra.