Pegasus symbolizes God's blessing given to Abraham and Israel and extended through Christ to all nations. It lies directly next to Aquarius and Pisces, with one of the Fishes near the Great Square of Pegasus. The most ancient Babylonian image of this square was IKU, 'Field', and among the old Arabic star names of Pegasus there is an unusually large number with the root saʿd — 'happiness, prosperity, fortune': 'fortunate rain', 'happiness of the high-spirited', 'fortune of the surpassing one', 'fortune of young livestock'. A complete picture emerges: God pours water upon His Field and His people, and it is filled with blessing. Through Christ, the blessing of Abraham comes to the Gentiles together with the promised Spirit.
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 modern name Pegasus is connected with the Greek tradition, but the most ancient Mesopotamian image of the main part of this constellation was quite different. The four stars of the Great Square formed the constellation MUL.IKU — 'Field'. The name was associated both with a field and with an ancient unit of land measurement. In the Babylonian system it was one of the stars of the region of Ea, associated with the southern part of the sky and waters.[Hunger & Pingree · MUL.APIN][Rogers · Origins][Вавилонские звёздные каталоги][Stellarium · MUL.APIN]
This is especially interesting because of Pegasus's position. Beneath it lies Aquarius, pouring out celestial water, and directly adjacent are the Fishes. One of the two Fishes passes just under the Great Square of Pegasus. Therefore the ancient image of the 'Field' is found within the same celestial composition where water and God's people are present. The Field receives water — and brings forth blessing.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
The later Arabic star tradition preserved in Pegasus a remarkable concentration of names associated with saʿd — happiness, prosperity, a good portion. This does not apply to all stars of the constellation, but several names form a distinct group.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Homam (ζ Pegasi) comes from Saʿd al-Humām — 'the lucky star of the high-spirited, noble'. Matar (η Pegasi) — from Saʿd al-Maṭar — 'fortune of rain', 'blessed rain'. Biham (θ Pegasi) — Saʿd al-Bihām — 'fortune of young animals / livestock'. Sadalbari (μ Pegasi) — Saʿd al-Bāriʿ — 'fortune of the surpassing, outstanding one'.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Especially expressive is the name Matar — 'fortunate rain'. It connects Pegasus directly with the adjacent Aquarius: water is poured from above, and in Pegasus appears the image of blessed rain. In biblical language, rain constantly becomes an image of God's favor, life, and fruitfulness: God gives rain to the earth so that it may yield fruit.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
At the same time, the ancient Field IKU makes the picture even more complete. The blessed rain is not poured into emptiness — it falls on the Field. So too the promise to Abraham was to bear fruit: 'I will bless you... and you shall be a blessing.' Initially this blessing was connected with Abraham and the people of Israel descended from him, which fits well with Pegasus's immediate proximity to one of the Fishes.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
But God's design was never limited to one people. Already Abraham was told: 'in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' Paul reveals the fulfillment of this promise: through Jesus Christ the blessing of Abraham is extended to the Gentiles, and its result is the receiving of the promised Spirit.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
That is why the proximity of the Fish — Pegasus — Aquarius is especially important. Israel first receives the promises and blessing; but Aquarius pours out the water of life, and through Christ this blessing goes beyond one people. The Little Horse before Pegasus shows the firstfruits of blessing, and the great Pegasus — its unfolding and fullness: what was promised to one man, Abraham, becomes a blessing for many nations.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Even the ancient name Alpheratz, a star that now belongs to Andromeda but forms the fourth corner of the Great Square, preserves the memory of the unity of this celestial image: the Arabic surrat al-faras means 'navel of the horse'. The Square itself thus historically remained the central part of the larger image of Pegasus.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Thus Pegasus shows God's blessing, which begins with Abraham, comes to Israel, and through Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit is extended to all nations. The ancient Field receives the blessed rain — and God's promise bears fruit.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]