Signs of the zodiac

Zeus falls deeply in love with Europa, the beautiful daughter of the Phoenician king, Agenor. To gain her trust and get close to her he assumes the guise of a white bull. She is struck by the beauty of the bull and starts playing with him placing flower garlands on his horns. Her confidence increases and she jumps on his back. She is then abducted by Zeus, who carries her across the sea to a new continent, which should bear her name. It was here where he reveals himself to be a god. Astrological myths later turn the bull into a more than just a guise, but a helper instead. As a reward for his services, the bull was placed among the stars as the constellation "Taurus". In the front of this painting Weissenkircher shows Europa's lamenting parents.

Venus and Amor have to flee across the river Euphrates after having been attacked by the monster Typhon. Legend has it that they transform themselves into fish and are able to get to safety. In Weissenkircher's representation they are, however, not transformed into fish, but are stepping out of the jaws of a fish and going safely ashore. As a reward for the rescue, two fish were set among the stars as the constellation Pisces.

The giant Orion is hunting in the woods. Vengeful Diana picks up a stone and a scorpion crawls out from under it. Sent forth by Diana, the scorpion kills Orion with his poisonous sting. Orion is, however, also able to slay the scorpion. For his services, the scorpion was turned into a constellation and a sign of the zodiac.