The Charioteer depicts Jesus Christ as the Creator and Good Shepherd. The ancient figure GAM meant a shepherd's staff, and the star El Nath, shared with Taurus, connects the image of the Shepherd with the image of the coming King and Judge.
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.
The constellation Auriga is located next to Taurus and is connected with it by the shared star El Nath. Taurus depicts Christ at the Second Coming — the King, Ruler, and Judge to whom authority over the nations is given. The Charioteer reveals another side of the same Lord: the coming Judge is also the Good Shepherd, who knows and saves His sheep.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
The earliest information about the stars of Auriga goes back to Mesopotamia. There was a celestial figure GAM, whose name was associated with a shepherd's staff and the image of a goatherd or shepherd. It included most of the bright stars of the modern Auriga, as well as El Nath.[Hunger & Pingree · MUL.APIN][Rogers · Origins][Вавилонские звёздные каталоги][Stellarium · MUL.APIN]
El Nath was traditionally assigned simultaneously to Taurus and Auriga. It connects the two images of Christ:[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Taurus — the coming King and Judge; Auriga — the Shepherd leading His flock.
The One who will judge the world is the same One who first came to give His life for the salvation of people. His authority is inseparable from His love, and the royal scepter is also the shepherd's staff.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Particular significance attaches to the star Prajapati, associated with the region of Delta Aurigae. Its Sanskrit name means 'Lord of Creation' or 'Creator'. This name points to Jesus Christ, through whom all things visible and invisible were created.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
The main meanings of the constellation form a unified picture:
The Lord of Creation made everything that exists. He came to His people as the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep and lays down His life for them. He holds the shepherd's staff, guiding and protecting the flock. He will return as King and Judge to establish His eternal rule.
Auriga therefore reveals the unity of Christ's ministry. He is not only the almighty Creator and the coming Ruler, but also the Shepherd who drew near to the perishing, gathered the scattered, and laid down His life for them.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
