Sagittarius depicts Christ who came to destroy the works of the devil. His ancient figure is the armed hybrid Pabilsag, and the arrow itself is aimed at Scorpius. In the overall map he stands between Scorpius and Capricornus: sin and rebellion → the coming of the Victor → His sacrifice → the water of 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.
Sagittarius must be read together with Scorpius.
The Scales showed God's measure and order. Scorpius — sin and rebellion that broke that order. Next appears Sagittarius, armed with a bow against Scorpius.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
That is precisely why the main meaning of Sagittarius is:
Christ came to destroy the works of the devil.
'The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.'
The ancient Pabilsag
In Mesopotamia this region was called MUL.PA.BIL.SAG — Pabilsag. This is indeed an ancient constellation corresponding to Sagittarius. In MUL.APIN it appears in a very interesting sequence: after Scorpius and before the Goat-Fish — Capricornus.[Hunger & Pingree · MUL.APIN][Rogers · Origins][Вавилонские звёздные каталоги][Stellarium · MUL.APIN][Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
That is, the ancient sequence itself matches our picture:
Scorpius → Pabilsag → Capricornus.
Pabilsag had a bow and arrow; ancient depictions show him as a hybrid armed archer. In Babylonian texts even his hand 'on the bow' and hand 'on the arrow' are distinguished.[Hunger & Pingree · MUL.APIN][Rogers · Origins][Вавилонские звёздные каталоги][Stellarium · MUL.APIN]
The later Arabic tradition preserved the same image of weaponry. The names Kaus Australis, Kaus Media, and Kaus Borealis come from the Arabic al-qaus — 'bow'.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
And the star Alnasl means 'arrowhead', from the expression nasl al-sahm — 'arrowhead'.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Therefore there is no need to invent additional meanings:
before us is an Archer, he has a Bow, there is an Arrowhead, and in front of him is Scorpius.
God-Man
The figure of Sagittarius is unusual: it is not merely a man, but a composite being. Already the ancient Pabilsag was depicted as a hybrid figure.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Historically, ancient peoples certainly did not invest this with the Christian doctrine of the incarnation. But in our biblical map, such a figure becomes an expressive image of Christ, who in one Person united both divine and human natures.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
He indeed came from Heaven and indeed became man:
'I have come down from heaven...'
Therefore Sagittarius shows not an earthly hero fighting evil by his own strength, but the God-Man who came from above.
Sagittarius between Scorpius and Capricornus
The most important thing is Sagittarius's place in the overall history.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Before him:
Scales — God's measure. Scorpius — sin that broke God's order.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
After him:
Capricornus — sacrifice. Aquarius — the water of life and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Thus the sequence is:
SCALES → SCORPIUS → SAGITTARIUS → CAPRICORNUS → AQUARIUS
God's order → sin → Christ the Victor → His sacrifice → gift of the Holy Spirit.
This explains the whole path of the Savior.
He comes because Scorpius exists.
But He defeats Scorpius not by force alone — the next constellation shows how the victory is accomplished.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Capricornus speaks of sacrifice.
Christ destroys the power of sin by giving Himself.
And then Aquarius shows the result of the accomplished redemption — Christ pours out the water of life, the Holy Spirit.
Unified meaning
Sagittarius is the central figure of this part of the heavenly narrative.
Scorpius shows the problem. Sagittarius shows the Victor. Capricornus shows the cost of victory. Aquarius shows the result of victory.
Therefore the meaning of Sagittarius can be expressed in one sentence:
The Son of God came in human flesh to enter into battle with evil, to destroy the works of the devil, and through His sacrifice to open to man the way to new life.