History of the star: A star in the train of Virgo's dress. Syrma is from a Greek word used by Ptolemy to designate this star on the "Train of the Virgin's robe". With kappa and phi it was mentioned in the first Arabian translation of the Syntaxis as being in the h-imar, or "skirt," of the garment; but the translator of the Latin edition missing the point at the first letter, read the word as himar, "an ass," so that this central one of these three stars strangely appears in that work as in asino.

This star, iota, with kappa and phi formed the Arabic 13th manzil, Al Ghafr, "the Covering", as Smyth explains, "because the beauty of the earth is hidden when they rise on the 18th Tishrin, or 1st of November; others say on account of the shining of the stars being lessened as if covered;" but Kazwini, "because, when they rise, the earth robes herself in her splendor and finery, — her summer robes."

Al Biruni also said that the Arabs considered this the most fortunate of their lunar stations, as lying between the evils of the Lion's teeth and claws on one side and the tail and venom of the Scorpion on the other, and quoted from a Rajaz poet: "The best night forever lies between Al Zubanah and Al Asad"; adding that the horoscope of the Prophet lay here, and that the date of the birth of Moses coincided with it.

It was the Arabic Al Zajjaj Al Ghafar, "the Tuft in the Lion's tail", which it may have marked in the figure of the ancient Asad.

Another signification of the word Ghafr is the "Young Ibex."

As a lunar station these stars, iota with kappa and phi, were the Sogdian Sarwa and the Khorasmian Shushak, "the Leader"; the Persian Hucru, "the Good Goer"; and the Coptic Khambalia, "Crooked-clawed", lamda (Khambalia) being substituted for phi; and it is said that they were the Akkadian Lu Lim, "the He Goat", "Gazelle", or "Stag", the original perhaps also meaning "King," and employed for delta (Auva).

Iota (this star Syrma) alone, was said to be the Death Star, Mulu Bat.

[Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinchley Allen, 1889]. 

Influences of the Arabic 13th Moon Mansion Al Ghafr: Favorable for extracting treasures, digging pits, helps divorce, discord, the destruction of houses and enemies, and hinders travelers. [Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.72]. 

The astrological influences of the constellation: By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Gimel and the 3^rd Tarot Trump "The Empress". (Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923)

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

"spicifera est Virgo Cereris"  —  "The Virgin with her sheaf belongs to Ceres". [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.117]

"Virginis in propriam descendunt ilia sortem",  —  "the belly comes down to the Maid as her rightful lot"  [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.119]

"At her rising Erigone, who reigned with Justice over a bygone age and fled when it fell into sinful ways, bestows high eminence by bestowing supreme power; she will produce a man to direct the laws of the state and the sacred code; one who will tend with reverence the hallowed temples of the gods. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.265]

The temperaments of those whose span of life she pronounces at their birth Erigone will direct to study, and she will train their minds in the learned arts. She will give not so much abundance of wealth as the impulse to investigate the causes and effects of things. On them she will confer a tongue which charms, the mastery of words, and that mental vision which can discern all things, however concealed they be by the mysterious workings of nature. From the Virgin will also come the stenographer: his letter represents a word, and by means of his symbols he can keep ahead of utterance and record in novel notation the long speech of a rapid speaker. But with the good there comes a flaw: bashfulness handicaps the early years of such persons, for the Maid, by holding back their great natural gifts, puts a bridle on their lips and restrains them by the curb of authority. And (small wonder in a virgin) her offspring is not fruitful. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.237 and 239]