There are many myths and legends about the origin of the Milky Way, the crowd of stars that makes a distinctive bright streak across the night sky.
The Galactic Center as seen from Earth's night sky
The creation of the River of Heaven"
Zhinü crossing the River of Heaven, as painted by Gai Qi, 1799
Jacopo Tintoretto's The Origin of the Milky Way (c. 1575-1580)
Vahagn or Vahakn, also known as Vahagn Vishapakagh, is a warrior god in Armenian mythology. Scholars consider him to be either the thunder, or sun and fire god of the pre-Christian Armenian pantheon, as well as the god of war, bravery and victory. He formed a triad with Aramazd and Anahit. Vahagn is etymologically derived from *Varhraγn, the Parthian name for the Indo-Iranian god Verethragna, although there are key differences between the two deities.
Statue of Vahagn the Dragon Slayer choking a dragon in Yerevan