Number 7 in Mythology
The Seven Sisters - The Pleiads - Greek mythology
"The Pleiads" painted by Elihu Veddar - 1885
The seven sisters were the daughters of the titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione.
The seven sisters were also known as "The Pleiads".
Their names were:
The hunter, Orion, was continually pursuing the sisters.
| Maia | Electra | Taygate | Alcyone | Calaeno | Sterope | Merope |
Atlas had been forced to support the celestial globe for all eternity and was therefore unable to defend his daughters.
Zeus, the leader god, took pity on the seven sisters and transformed them into stars. Orion was later also transformed into a constellation of stars and ended up not so far from the seven sisters. It is said Orion continues his pursuit of the Pleiads.
The Seven Hesperides - 
Greek Mythology
"Atlas and the Hesperides" Painter John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
In one version of Greek myth, Atlas was also the father of the Seven Hesperides (daughters of the Evening Star).
They guarded the tree with the golden apples. Gaia had given the tree to Hera (the queen goddess) when she married Zeus (the chief god).
The garden with the tree of the golden apples was located close by the place where Atlas carried the celestial globe on his shoulders. In the version of the myth proclaiming Atlas as the father, the seven are given the names:
In other versions there are only three Hesperides. See number 3 in mythology.
Apollo and the number seven
| Ægle | Arethusa | Erythea | Hestia | Hespera | Herperusa | Hespereia |
The number seven is the sacred number of Apollo. He was one of the most important Greek gods. Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother of Artemis (Diana in Roman myth). Apollo was known as the leader of the Nine Muses.
He was also the god who could spread plague with his arrows, but could also cure illness. Apollo was associated with prophecy and the Oracle of Delphi.
It is told he was born on the seventh day of the seventh month.
Seven against Thebes
Oedipus, king of Thebes was found guilty of incest and murder. He was forced to step down from the throne.
When his two sons, Eteocles and Polynices turned against him, Oedipus put a curse on them.
The two brothers agreed to take turns ruling Thebes every other year. After the first year Eteocles refused to step down from the throne. Polynices raised an army led by seven commanders to take Thebes by force.
These are the Seven against Thebes:
Polynices was one of the seven commanders. After much fighting, it was decided that the two brothers should meet each other in a single combat. In that last fight Polynices and Eteocles killed each other. The curse of Oedipus was fulfilled.
| Amphiaraus | Eteoclus | Capaneus | Hippomedon | Parthenopeus | Tydeus | Polynices |
Isis and the Seven Scorpions - Egyptian Mythology
Isis was the sister and wife of Osiris. Their evil brother murdered Osiris. Seth then gave Isis seven scorpions. These seven scorpions promised to protect Isis and her unborn son.
Isis came to a village and asked for shelter in a home belonging to a very wealthy woman. The woman did not recognize Isis and slammed the door in her face.
Isis then found a poor peasant woman who welcomed her into her home and gave her shelter.
The seven scorpions were furious at the wealthy woman and decided to take revenge.
One of the scorpions crept into the home of the rich woman and stung her son. The mother screamed for help as her boy was dying, but no one would help her. Isis took pity on the woman.
The goddess said a magic spell and neutralized the poison. The child immediately recovered. The wealthy woman was extremely grateful. She donated all her belongings to Isis and the poor peasant woman.
