Dog days of summer: What has man's best friend got to do with this phrase?
‘Dog days of summer’ is a phrase that you must have come across in more than one occasions. It refers to the hot and sultry days of summer. But have you ever wondered why dogs are associated with this season? Let’s find out the answer!
Of stars, summer and dogs: The Greek and Roman story
It turns out that ‘dog days of summer’ has nothing to do with the four-legged creature or the season referred to in the phrase. The dog here refers to the Dog Star or Sirius star in the constellation named Canis Major’. Feeling confused? Let us help you.
According to ancient Greeks and Romans, Sirus is perhaps the brightest star in the night sky. Therefore, during July, Sirus appears to rise next to the sun. Because of this, the Greeks and Romans believed that the sun’s and Sirius’s combined heat resulted in the hottest days during the summer months, especially between 3rd July- 11th. August. Since then, they have associated hot summer in the northern hemisphere as ‘dies caniculares’ which translates to ‘dog days.’ Are you wondering whether the Dog Star always aligns with the sun simultaneously every year? Well, not really. It actually depends upon which part of the world you live in.
Here’s an interesting factoid for you: If you have gone through the ancient Greek epic about Trojan War, ‘The Iliad’, attributed to the famous poet Homer, you will find multiple references of ‘dog days of summer.’
Egyptians have their own version too
Apart from ancient Greeks and Romans, the Egyptians also considered Sirius as a bright and essential star in ancient Egypt. It turns out that over four thousand years ago, around the time of summer solstice, in late June, Sirius would appear and disappear with the Sun. The Egyptians believed that depending on the star’s position, the Nile River would either flood and bring destruction or keep flowing and bring great prosperity.
Does the Dog Star influence summer in any way?
Well, the one-word answer to your question is no. You need to first understand the science behind the occurrence of summers. For instance, in the northern hemisphere, the summer months are from April to September. Why? Because during this time, the sun’s rays fall on the Earth directly. This is due to the titled position of Earth. This means that when the North Pole is facing toward the Sun, it’s summer in the northern hemisphere, and if the South Pole tilts towards the Sun, it’s summer in the southern hemisphere. Thus, the position of Sirius, or the Dog Star has nothing to do with the onset of summer. It’s just a mere coincidence that it aligns with the Sun during a part of summer in the northern hemisphere.