Ancient Chinese Star Lore Part 3

Eridanus In Chinese, Eridanus is written 波江座

In Chinese astronomy, the northern part of Eridanus is placed in the quarter of the White Tiger of the West. The stars from Gamma Eridani via Delta and Eta to Tau-9 formed the constellation Tianyuan, the celestial fields. According to Ian Ridpath, these were animals were sacrificed to the gods, or alternatively where animals were reared for hunting. The southern part of Eridanus cannot be seen from China. Chinese astronomer Xu Guangqi, who introduced Western astronomy to China in the late 16th century created a list of Southern_Asterisms, in which Eridanus was called Shuǐ Wěi, which means Crooked Running Water. according to Ian Ridpath, the stars between Upsilon-1 and Kappa Eridani represented "the celestial orchard full of fruit trees, possibly the orchard of Xi Wang Mu, the Chinese Goddess of immortality." Sources: Wikipedia, Ian Ridpath

Xi Wang Mu, Painting by Xie Wenli between ca. 1751 and 1800 Source: Wikipedia

Ian Ridpath also tells us, that "... running from north to south along the present-day borders with Orion and Lepus was a chain of nine stars called Jiuliu or Jiuyou, nine flags or banners of the Emperor that formed part of the hunting scene visualized in this area. Next to Jiuliu in northern Eridanus was a loop of nine stars forming Jiuzhou shukou, representing interpreters for visitors to the hunt from far-off regions. Beta, Psi, and Lambda Eridani were joined with Tau Orionis to make a square next to Rigel called Yujing, the jade well for exclusive use by the nobility; the well for ordinary soldiers, Junjing, was to the south in Lepus. Source: Ian Ridpath

Chinese imperial banners Source: imperialchinesecourt

Gemini In Chinese, Gemini is written 雙子座. In Chinese astronomy, with the exception of two stars, the entire constellation forms seven asterisms, all located in the 22nd Lunar Mansion, which is within the quadrant of the Vermilion Bird of the South. The stars around Castor and Pollux form the asterism Běihé, the North River. (Nánhé, the South River lies in Canis Minor, around Procyon). Běihé and Nánhé lay north and south of the ecliptic respectively, so the pair were also interpreted as gates or sentries. At either end of Beihe were Jishui and Jīxīn, each marked by a single star. Jīxīn (κ Gem) is a pile of firewood for cooking; Jishui (ο Gem) represents a supply of water for wine making or brewing. Wikipedia does not list Jishui as a separate asterism, but as part of Běihé.

Chinese asterisms in Gemini Map based on seasky.org

In 2017, the IAU Working Group on Star Names approved the name Jishui for Omicron Geminorum and it is now so included in the List of IAU-approved Star Names. A number of faint stars around η Gem form Yuè, a battle axe, used for decapitating the corrupt and immoral. A number of stars from θ Gem to φ Gem form Wuzhūhóu, five feudal lords or princes who acted as the Emperor’s advisors and teachers.

The stars around δ Gem and ω Gem formed a triangle called Tiānzūn, the Celestial Wine Cup. The largest part of present-day Gemini was taken up by Jǐng, the Well, which also gave its name to the entire Lunar Mansion, which, according to Ian Ridpath is the widest of the 28 mansions, extending for 33°. This large asterism in the "legs of the Twins" resembles the Chinese character for ‘well’. Among others, it consists of γ, ε, ζ, λ, ξ, μ and ν Geminorum.

Chinese Well; Source: dreamstime.com

Finally, also in the 22 Lunar Mansion is Shuǐwèi, the "Water Level". Ian Ridpath describes it as "...a curved line of four stars, that was usually seen as extending from Canis Minor into Cancer, but some older versions show it as the stars 68 to 85 Geminorum, in an example of how Chinese constellations have literally changed their spots with time." Wikipedia lists two Gemini stars outside the 22nd Lunar Mansion: 1 Gem is part of an asterism called Sīguài (Deity in Charge of Monsters), which lies in the 20th Lunar Mansion which is mainly locate in modern day Orion. χ Gem is part of Guàn, a "Beacon of Fire", which is part of the 23rd Lunar Mansion, which extends into modern day Cancer.

Hydra In Chinese, Hydra is written 長 蛇 座. In Chinese astronomy, the constellation stretches across seven Lunar Mansions. The Hydra's tail is part of the First Lunar Mansion, called Jiǎo (Horn). The mansion extends into Virgo and Centaurus. It is the only Lunar Mansion in Hydra belonging to the quadrant of the Azure Dragon of the East. The Hydra stars in this Lunar Mansion form three asterism.

Chinese constellations in Hydra Map based on seasky.org

The stars γ and π Hydrae form an asterism called Ping, meaning "Justice." According to Ian Ridpath, these stars represent a senior law lord or appeal court judge. The two other asterisms, called Shéwēi (meaning execution or executioners) and Zhènchē (meaning Battle Chariots) consist of very faint stars. The other six Lunar Mansions are part of the Vermilion Bird of the South. The 23rd Mansion, called Guǐ (Ghost) features only one very faint asterism called Wàichú (The Outer Kitchen) in Hydra. Main star in this asterism is F Hydrae.

The asterism Liǔ, meaning "willow" gave its name to the 24th Lunar Mansion. It consists of the stars forming the "Head" of the Hydra, including δ, ε, η, ρ, σ, ζ, θ and ω Hydrae. In Chinese culture, the willow is a traditional symbol of mourning and of rebirth. The next three asterisms too gave their names to their respective Lunar Mansions. Xīng (Star) represents the 25th Lunar Mansion. The relatively bright stars Alphard (α Hya) and Ukdah (ι Hya) are part of that asterism. Ian Ridpath tells us that Xīng markes the neck of the Red Bird and Alphard itself was known as Niao, the Bird Star. According to Wikipedia, another name for Alphard was Shéshǒuyī, meaning the "leading" or the "stand alone" star. Zhang, a name describing an outstretched net, is the name of the 26th Lunar Mansion. The asterism of the same name consists, among others, of λ, κ and φ Hydrae. In ancient China, the star υ1 Hydrae was called Zhāngsùyī. In 2017, the IAU officially named the star after the 26th Lunar Mansion, Zhang. The 27th Lunar Mansion is called Yì (Wing). It contains, among others, ν and χ Hydrae. The asterism by the same name may represent the wings of the Red Bird. Zhěn, the 28th Lunar Mansion represents a charriot. Much of that Lunar Mansion is located in the constellations Corvus and Centaurus. Only three faint asterisms, Jūnmén (Military Gate), Tǔ sīkōng (Master of Construction) and Qīngqiū (Green Hills) are part of Hydra. The main stars in the Hydra part of the 28th Lunar Mansion are β and ξ Hydrae. Sources: Wikipedia and Ian Ridpath

Vermilion Bird of the South Source: NIx's Mixed Bag Vermilion Bird of the South © K. Herrmann

Leo In Chinese, Leo is written 獅子座 In Chinese astronomy, the constellation is located in the quadrant of the Vermilion Bird of the South and partially in the Three Enclosures. Together, the stars of Leo form a total of 12 asterisms. Wikipedia and Ian Ridpath have detailed descriptions of the mansions and the stars belonging to each one. Here is how Ian Ridpath describes the largest formations in this constellation:

Asterisms in Leo Map based on seasky.org

"On Chinese star charts the Sickle of Leo is recognizable, but as part of a rather different constellation figure. From the top of the Sickle extended a snaking line that took in Lambda and Kappa Leonis before heading north into Lynx. In all, 17 stars were involved in the chain, including Regulus and Omicron and Rho Leonis either side of it; the whole formation was known as Xuānyuán, the Yellow Dragon. Denebola (β Leo) was not part of Xuānyuán, but nevertheless was connected to it in myth. In China, Denebola was called Huángdìzuò the Yellow Emperor. This name comes from a legendary ruler who is credited with being the main founder of Chinese civilization; the Yellow Dragon (Xuānyuán) snaking among the other stars of Leo was said to be his image immortalized in the sky. So Xuānyuán, with the nearby Huángdìzuò, is one of the few Chinese star patterns that can boast a mythology comparable to that of the Greek constellations. Four faint stars to the north, south, west, and east of Huángdìzuò governed the four seasons. Taken together, Huángdìzuò and its companions formed a group known as Wǔdìzuò, the Five Emperors (or deities). Their chariots were represented by the five stars that outline the shape of Auriga". [End of Ian Ridpath quote].

The Yellow Dragon, personification of the Yellow Emperor Source: Wikipedia

Also part of Wǔdìzuò are 88 Leonis and a number of faint stars in Leo. Wǔdì ("Five Deities") or Wǔshén ("Five Gods") are, in Chinese canonical texts and common Chinese religion, the five-fold manifestation of the supreme God of Heaven. Xuānyuán is part of the 25th Lunar Mansion, called Xīng (Star). For the following, I partially quote Ian Ridpath, added with remarks coming from Wikipedia: To the north of this group of five celestial gods lay the real ruling Emperor’s heir or crown prince, Tàizǐ, represented by 93 Leonis, with Cóngguān, his personal assistant, hovering at a respectful distance (92 Leonis), and a bodyguard, Hǔbēn (72 Leonis), keeping watch.

The Five Deities; Source: Wikipedia

Wǔdìzuò, Tàizǐ, Cóngguān and Hǔbēn fell within a larger area called Tài Wēi Yuán, representing a court where the Chinese Emperor met with his privy council, which extended into neighboring Virgo. (Wikipedia refers to this area as the Supreme Palace enclosure. One of the boundary walls of Tài Wēi Yuán was marked out by a chain of five stars heading southwards from Delta via Theta, Iota, and Sigma Leonis to Beta Virginis. This wall is called Tàiwēiyòuyuán, the "Right Wall." A fainter line of four stars stretching northwards from Leo into Leo Minor formed Shǎowēi, seen as either a delegation of nobility welcoming Huángdìzuò as he approached Tài Wēi Yuán, or a retinue of scholarly advisors. Sources differ as to the identity of these stars, but they could have been 53 Leonis to 41 Leonis Minoris. This same line later became known as Chángyuán (the "Long Wall"), an outer protective barrier for Tài Wēi Yuán. Among the smaller constellations that the Chinese imagined in this area, Xi Leonis, together with Psi and Omega Leonis were Jiǔqí, the banner of a wine maker or merchant, possibly associated with the kitchen (Wàichú) in Hydra to the south. This is the only formation within the boundaries of Leo that is part of the 24 Lunar Mansion, called Liǔ (Willow). The stars around Chi Leonis, straddling the ecliptic represented Língtái, an astronomical observatory. Tau, Phi and Upsilon Leonis formed Míngtáng, the "The Hall of Glory" according to Wikipedia or the "bright hall" according to Ian Ridpath, an administrative center where the Emperor announced the annual calendar of events at the start of each year; the "brightness" in its title might be a reference to the luminous presence of the Emperor himself. Sources: Wikipedia and Ian Ridpath

The Great Wall; Wikipedia The Yellow Emperor Source: Wikipedia The Bright Hall; Wikipedia

Libra In Chinese, Libra is written 天秤座. In Chinese astronomy, the constellation forms a total of nine asterisms, belonging to three Lunar Mansions, all located in the direction of the Azure Dragon of the East. Ian Ridpath gives a good description of the main parts of these Chinese constellations. Except for a few coments [in brackets], the following is directly quoted from Ian Ridpath: In the Chinese sky, the square formed by α, ι, γ and β Librae was Dī, a palace for the Emperor to stay the night with his wife and two concubines. Dī was also the name given to the Third Chinese lunar mansion. In this context the name is usually translated as ‘root’, which is said to stem from the constellation’s appearance in the morning sky in early October when the ground dried up and roots became visible.

Asterisms in Libra Map based on seasky.org

Di is also visualized as either the paw or the chest of the Blue Dragon. θ and 48 Librae were part of a line of four stars leading into northern Scorpius that formed Xīxián, one wall of an area used for investigating and penalizing dishonest traders in the celestial market nearby; the other wall, Dōngxián, was in Ophiuchus. [Wikipedia refers to Xīxián and Dōngxián as the "Western Door" and "Eastern Door", respectively. Xīxián is located in Fáng (meaning Room), the Fourth Lunar Mansion. The Lunar Mansion got its name from an asterism named Fáng, which according to Wikipedia consists of stars around λ Librae]. In southern Libra were a couple of Chinese constellations forming part of a cavalry camp spread over a large area south of the ecliptic. Zhènchē, consisting of a triangle of stars (probably σ Librae and two to the south in Lupus), was a formation of battle chariots, while Tiānfú (probably υ and τ Librae) was a convenient pile of spare spokes for mending broken wheels.

Azure Dragon of the East Source: theworldofchinese.com

[Wikipedia puts σ Librae into an asterim called Shéwēi, meaning "Execution." While Zhènchē and Tiānfú are both part of Dī, the Third Lunar Mansion, Shéwēi is part of the Second Lunar Mansion, called Kàng, the Neck of the Blue Dragon]. A star in Libra on or close to the ecliptic, near the border with Scorpius, was known as Ri, the Sun star; it lies on the opposite side of the sky from the Moon star, Yue, in Taurus, in recognition that the Sun lies opposite the full Moon in the sky. The identification of Ri is uncertain; κ Librae seems most likely, although some sources identify it as either 1 or 2 Scorpii. Sources: Wikipedia and Ian Ridpath

Lyra In Chinese, Lyra is written 天 琴 座. In Chinese astronomy, the entire constellation is located in the 9th Lunar Mansion, called Niú (Ox), which belongs to the direction of the Black Tortoise of the North. Here, it forms three asterisms. Vega and (among others) the adjacent stars ε, ζ Zeta Lyrae form the constellation Zhinü, the Weaving Girl. β, γ, δ, λ Lyrae and a number of fainter stars form Jiāntāi, the "Clepsydra Terrace", while η, θ Lyrae and other, fainter stars for a line called Niǎndào, the "Imperial Passageway", a route followed by the Emperor when travelling between palaces.

Chinese constellations in Lyra Map based on seasky.org

Vega's asterim, the Weaving Girl is also called Celestial Granddaughter, as in Chinese legends, Weaving Girl was the granddaughter of the celestial emperor. Weaving Girl's husband was Niulang (meaning Cowherd), represented in the sky by the star Altair (α Aquilae). Hong Kong Space Museum tells the story of Weaving Girl and Cowherd: "Weaving Girl worked hard year in year out, weaving colorful brocade for the gods and goddesses. However, she stopped weaving after she married Niulang. Outraged, the celestial emperor ordered the couple to be separated by the celestial river (the Milky Way) and only allowed them to meet once a year. On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the magpies would spread their wings together to form a bridge, enabling the tragic lovers in heaven to meet that night." Source:Hong Kong Space Museum, Wikipedia

Cowherd and Weaving Girl Source: Hong Kong Space Museum

All Things Chinese provides an extensive, illustrated version of the tale. The tale of The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl is considered one of China's greatest folk tales. The Qixi Festival, commemorating the two lovers has been celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month for the last 2,000 years, dating back to the Hab Dynasty. Source: Wikipedia

Cowherd and Weaving Girl Source: All Things Chinese

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