Jupiter -- the 5th planet

Mythology

Roman

Jupiter was one of the most important of the Roman gods, continuously evolving with Roman needs. In the early Republican era, when Rome was an agricultural city, he first appeared as an agricultural god in charge of sun and moonlight (Jupiter Lucetius), wind, rain, storms, thunder and lightning (Jupiter Elicius), sowing (Jupiter Dapalis), creative forces (Jupiter Liber) and the boundary stones of fields (Jupiter Terminus).

As Rome developed into a city of commerce and military force, Jupiter evolved into a protector of the city and state of Rome. As with his earlier agricultural form, he could be invoked through a variety of titles, each dependent on the responsibilities being requested of him :

  • As a warrior god - JUPITER STATOR, FERETRIUS and VICTOR.
  • As great god of the Empire - JUPITER OPTIMUS MAXIMUS.
  • As protector of the Empire - JUPITER CONSERVATOR ORBIS
  • As protector of the Emperor - JUPITER CONSERVATOR AUGUSTORUM

His main temple was the "Capitolim Vetus", situated on the Capitoline Hill in Rome, which he shared with Juno (his sister and consort) and Minerva, to form the Capitoline Triad.

On coins, Jupiter is traditionally shown as a bearded, older man, often naked and holding or throwing a thunderbolt. He can be either standing or seated. His sacred animal was the eagle, which he usually holds in an outstretched hand, or has standing at his feet. Most Roman images of Jupiter are styled after Greek images of Zeus, but in spite of many similarities, he is not simply a Roman version of Zeus.

 

Greek
Zeus (Jupiter to the Romans) overthew his Father Cronus (in Roman, Saturn). He then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades to determine who would be the supreme ruler of the gods. Jupiter won the draw and became the ruler of Olympus.

Jupiter was the rain god and lord of the sky, making his name an appropriate one for the king of the planets. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera but, is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punish those that lie or break oaths.

This Statue of Zeus was created by the famous Greek sculptor Pheidius during the 5th century B.C. It was considered one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. The statue stood for over 800 years in the temple of Zeus at Olympia in Greece, until the Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaimed Christianity the state religion, and ordered all statues and likenesses of the pagan gods torn down.

 

Indian
In Vedic astrology Jupiter is a 1st rate benefice planet, generally considered to be the most auspicious of the planets. He rules over the two sidereal signs of Sagittarius and Pisces. He is exalted in the sign of Cancer and fallen in the opposite sign of Capricorn. Where the Sun is known as Atman, or the soul, Jupiter is known as JIVA, the consciousness of the soul representing the individuality of self. 

Where Venus is a Brahmin and follows the Brigu lineage of Brahmin sages, Jupiter is also a Brahmin and follows the Angiras lineage of Brahmin sages. Jupiter's epithets are sacred and many: "Lord of sacred speech", "Lord of power", "Guru of the Gods", "reader of minds" and "beloved by the Gods". 

BRIHASPATI - THE JUPITER 

Jupiter is a karaka or indicator of fortune, wealth, fame, luck, devotion and faith, spirituality, charity, morality, meditation, mantra, children, magistrates, ministers, lawyers and leaders in government and religion. Jupiter represents sacred scripture, wisdom, benevolence and philosophy. Jupiter's most favored position is in the first. He does well both in the Kendra's and Angles, and the auspicious Trikonal Houses. His nature is KAPHA, or watery. His gemstone is Yellow Sapphire or Yellow Topaz and his metal is Gold. Jupiter's direction is Northeast and his day is Thursday. As a benefice planet he reaches full maturity the earliest of the 9 grahas at age 16.
 

Egyptian
Ammon was an ancient Egyptian god. He was depicted as a human with a ram's head. He was one of the chief gods, and was adopted by the Greeks as Zeus and the Roman's as Jupiter. The Egyptians acknowledged as the highest deity Amun, afterwards called Zeus, or Jupiter Ammon.