By both Liaf and Morfessa
Sagittarius, the archer, symbolizes the Redeemer's triumph. As with Ophiuchus' foot, likewise the arrow is aimed at the heart of Scorpio. This name is modern Latin for "archer". Again, one can also look at the meaning of the star names and see a subject emerging. In Hebrew, we have Naim, and Arabic Al Naim meaning the "gracious one". Other star names in Arabic are Shaula, the "dart", and Al Warida, "who comes forth". The ancient Akkadian name is Nun-ki, which means "prince of the earth".
As with the constellation Centaurus, Sagittarius is dual natured. Grecian fable calls this character Cheiron, the chief Centaur with nobleness, righteousness and divine in character. In the Zodiac of Dendarah his name is Pi-maere, meaning "graciousness, beauty appearing or coming forth". One of the Scriptural passages best describing similar characteristics of Sagittarius is found in Psalm 64:
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
Lyra contains the bright star "Vega", which is part of an asterism the "summer triangle". One of the best ways to find Vega in the middle latitudes is to find Arcturus (by following the handle of the Big Dipper as previously mentioned) and waiting for a time or season that Arcturus is about halfway between the western horizon and your zenith (straight up). When Arcturus is in that position, Vega will be the very bright star almost straight up (at your zenith). At the time of this writing (later September), Vega would be straight up about 8:00 PM. You will see two other bright stars nearby forming a recognizable and quite bright "triangle". The trailing one in the eastward direction is Deneb, and the more southern one is Altair.
The harp symbolizes praise prepared for our Conqueror. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion. (Psalm 65:1)
Psalm 21:12-13 says, Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows [like Sagittarius] upon thy strings against the face of them. Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.. The star Vega means "He shall be exalted".
Other star names in this tiny constellation, Beta and Gamma Lyre are called Shelyuk and Sulaphat, which mean "an eagle" and "springing up" respectively. The picture is that of an eagle rising up as in praise. This constellation is also depicted as an eagle or hawk in the Zodiac of Dendarah as the enemy of the serpent. Its name is Fent-kar, which means "the serpent ruled". The Hebrew name indicates an eagle as well. In all instances, the eagle is depicted as ascending in triumph and praise. So in one word we can wrap up this constellation as PRAISE.
Although we are only halfway done with Sagittarius, we will stop here for now since the next two constellations associated with Sagittarius, Ara (the altar) and Draco (the dragon), deserve a little more attention, especially since Draco is an interesting constellation in and of itself worthy of a little more study.