The Stern is an image of the completion of the journey of the saved and their return to the haven prepared by God. It is the rear part of the ancient unified Heavenly Ship, and the Ship itself moves across the sky unusually — stern-first. Already Aratus compared this to a ship that, after a long voyage, turns stern-first and enters the harbor. Therefore if the Keel shows the foundation of salvation, and the Sails show the guidance of the Spirit, then the Stern shows the outcome: the redeemed safely reach home.
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 Stern, Sails, and Keel originally constituted one huge constellation — the Heavenly Ship. The modern name Puppis means precisely the stern part of the vessel; it became an independent constellation only after the division of the ancient Argo Navis in the 18th century.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
The main peculiarity of the whole picture lies not in the name of the Stern, but in the movement of the Ship across the sky. During the daily rotation of the stars, Argo Navis appears to move stern-first. Aratus explained this strangeness by the image of a vessel that is already completing its journey: approaching the pier, the rowers turn it and bring it into the harbor stern-first.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Therefore the Stern speaks precisely not of departure, but of arrival.
This completes the entire meaning of the Heavenly Ship. God's people were saved, preserved among the waters of this world, and led by God through the whole journey. Now the journey is ending — ahead lies the desired haven.
The picture of the Ship's parts unfolds sequentially:[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Keel — Christ, the Foundation of salvation. Sails — the guidance of the Spirit of God. Stern — the return of the saved home.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Especially expressive is the main star of the Stern, Naos (ζ Puppis). Its name comes from the Greek word meaning 'ship', preserving the memory of the original unified Heavenly Ship.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Another ancient detail — Azmidi / Asmidiske (ξ Puppis). Its name goes back to the Greek aspidiskē — 'small shield'. In Ptolemy, in the stern part of the Ship there was indeed a decorated protective shield, around which a whole group of stars was located. This adds the image of preservation: the Ship not only travels the path, but also preserves those in it to the very end.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Therefore the Stern is the fulfillment of salvation. It is not enough to enter the Ship and begin the journey; God's plan is to bring the saved to the appointed goal. The Psalm almost literally describes this heavenly image: God calms the storm, and then 'He brings them to their desired haven'.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
The Stern shows the final moment of the journey — the wandering is over, God's people are returning home.