The constellation Aquarius depicts Christ pouring out the water of life upon God's people. Already the most ancient Mesopotamian figure of this region was called GU.LA — 'Great' — and was depicted as a mighty Man from whom streams of water issue, sometimes with fish within them. On the star chart, Aquarius's stream is directed toward the Fish: it enters directly into the mouth of the Southern Fish, and nearby are the two Fishes — Israel and the Church. The Old Testament already joins water flowing from vessels with the people's seed, and the pouring out of water with the pouring out of the Spirit upon the offspring. Christ gives the water of life freely to the thirsty; Scripture directly explains this image as the action of the Holy Spirit, who grants man new and eternal life.
Full interpretation
Verifiable historical, etymological and topographical statements are accompanied by sources. The theological conclusions are the project’s interpretation according to its published methodology.
Aquarius is one of the most ancient images of this part of the sky. In Mesopotamia, there was the constellation MUL.GU.LA, whose name means 'Great' or 'Giant'. It was associated with the image of Enki/Ea — the lord of springs and fresh waters. On ancient depictions, he is represented as a Man from whom two streams of water issue, and fish were sometimes depicted within the streams.[Hunger & Pingree · MUL.APIN][Rogers · Origins][Вавилонские звёздные каталоги][Stellarium · MUL.APIN]
Pagan peoples transformed the original image into their water god, but the heavenly picture itself preserved the main thing: the Great One pours out water that gives life.
In the biblical picture, this is Christ.
Jesus Himself says:
'Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'
Therefore Aquarius shows not simply water as a natural element, but the gift of God's life proceeding from the Savior.
Moreover, Scripture itself explains what this water means. Christ said:
'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me... out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'
And John immediately clarifies:
'He said this about the Spirit.'
Therefore the water of life is not only an image of God's Word. The Word leads a person to faith, but the immediate biblical meaning of living water is the Holy Spirit and God's life, which Christ gives to the believer.
Especially important is the position of Aquarius relative to the Fishes. In the classical map, a long stream of water flows from Aquarius's vessel and ends directly at Fomalhaut — the 'mouth of the Fish', the main star of the Southern Fish. The Fish is literally depicted drinking the water poured out by Aquarius.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
This gives a very clear heavenly picture:
Aquarius — the Giver of the water of life. The Southern Fish — God's people, directly receiving this water. The two Fishes — Israel and the Church, bound by the one divine plan.
That is, God does not simply pour out water into emptiness. The water is directed toward His people.
This also explains why Pegasus — the image of God's blessing — is near this region. In the Arabic tradition, a whole group of stars in Aquarius, Capricornus, and Pegasus received names with the word saʿd — 'happiness, fortune, favor'. Among them are Saʿd al-Suʿūd — 'the most fortunate of the fortunate stars' and Saʿd al-Malik — 'the lucky star of Malik/the King'.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
This fits well with what Paul calls the blessing of Abraham. Through Christ it is extended to the nations, and Paul immediately explains the content of that blessing:[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
'So that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.'
Thus, blessing and the water of life are joined in one image — the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It is important to understand other star names correctly. Skat (δ Aquarii) does not mean 'outpouring': the Arabic al-sāq means 'shin', so it is simply the anatomical position of the star in the figure of Aquarius. Therefore we need not build a narrative on Skat as 'pouring'. The main meaning is much stronger even without this: the entire ancient figure depicts the Great One, from whom streams of water truly issue.
And the final point of this story is in Revelation. There is no longer a symbolic vessel — John sees the reality itself:[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
'The river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.'
The source of the water of life is the throne of God and the Lamb.
Therefore Aquarius speaks of why the Savior came to earth. Christ not only frees man from sin and death — He restores to man the lost connection with God and gives him the Holy Spirit, God's life within him.
Man who receives this water is born again. The source of life appears within him. He becomes a partaker of God's Kingdom and receives the gift of eternal life.
And this water is not sold or earned.
The final pages of the Bible end with an invitation:
'Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.'
Thus the meaning of Aquarius is revealed:[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
The Great One pours out water. Christ is the Source. The water is the Holy Spirit and eternal life. The Fishes are God's people receiving it. The blessing of Abraham through Christ is extended to all nations.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]