Ursa Major is called the Great Bear because its shape resembles that of a bear, specifically a bear with an elongated body. The name "Ursa Major" is derived from Latin, where "Ursa" means "bear" and "Major" means "greater" or "larger."
In many cultures, ancient and modern, people have looked up at the night sky and recognized patterns of stars that resemble various animals, objects, or mythological figures. Ursa Major is one of the most recognizable and prominent constellations in the northern hemisphere, and its pattern of stars has been associated with a bear in different cultures throughout history.
The constellation Ursa Major contains seven bright stars that form the shape of a bear. The three stars in the tail of the bear, along with four stars that form the quadrilateral shape of its body, are particularly prominent and have been widely recognized as a bear's outline. These stars are also known as the Big Dipper or the Plough in many cultures.
The association of Ursa Major with a bear varies across different mythologies and cultures. For example, in Greek mythology, Ursa Major is associated with the myth of Callisto, a nymph who was transformed into a bear by the goddess Hera. In other cultures, the constellation may be associated with different stories and legends related to bears.
Overall, Ursa Major is called the Great Bear because its pattern of stars resembles a bear, and this association has been recognized and named as such by various cultures throughout history.