Which zodiac constellation is associated with the crab?

Which zodiac constellation is associated with the crab? Cancer is the zodiac constellation traditionally represented by a crab.

The name Cancer comes from the Latin word for “crab,” ultimately reflecting the Greek myth of Karkinos. In the story, the crab attacked Heracles while he was fighting the many-headed Hydra. Heracles crushed it, but Hera—an enemy of Heracles—placed the creature among the stars. The myth explains the constellation’s symbolism, even though the stars themselves form only a faint and not especially crab-like pattern.

Cancer is one of the 12 zodiac constellations and lies between Gemini and Leo, with Hydra extending along its southern border. It contains the prominent open star cluster Praesepe, also called the Beehive Cluster or Messier 44. Cancer’s brightest star is Beta Cancri, traditionally named Tarf.

Do not confuse the constellation with the astrological sign. Because Earth’s axis slowly wobbles, the Sun’s apparent position has shifted relative to the zodiac constellations over thousands of years. The Tropic of Cancer retains the old celestial association, even though the Sun is no longer in Cancer at the June solstice.