The big dipper is one of the first constellations that we learn to locate. We can use this constellation as an anchor to identify many other constellations & interesting deep space objects.
The handle of the dipper is also thought of as the tail of the bear. The pan istelf is thought of as the body of the bear. We can find the Polaris / "North" Star by star hopping from the Big Dipper (aka the plough, the frying pan & the great bear, Ursa Major).
By using the shape of the constellation you can also track a path to gemini, leo, virgo, hercules & bootes, although there will be times when these constellations will not be visible, to keep peeking!
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