Chinese constellation: Difference between revisions
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The '''Chinese''' have a tradition of grouping stars in '''constellations''' that is completely different from the Western one. | The '''Chinese''' have a tradition of grouping stars in '''constellations''' that is completely different from the Western one. | ||
In traditional Chinese thought, the | In traditional Chinese thought, the arrangement of the sky reflects the political arrangements on Earth: the most northern stars represents the most elevated figures, and [[Polaris]] represent the Emperor - around which all other stars revolve. <ref>Ronan, Colin A. ''The Cambridge Illustrated History of the World's Science'', Vol. 2. 1984: Cambridge University Press.</ref> Also, the sky around [[North Celestial Pole]] (the [[circumpolar region]]) is divided in '''Three Enclosures''' (三垣 sān yuán). | ||
In addition, for the Chinese, the region of sky passed through by the [[ecliptic]] is not divided into 12 [[zodiac|zodiacal constellations]], but in '''Twenty-eight Mansions''' (二十八宿 èrshíbā xiù). The division is that as in each day of the month, the [[Moon]] ocupes one of these mansions. The Twenty-eight Mansions reflect the movement of the Moon, whereas the Zodiac reflects that of the Sun. ([[Indian astronomy]] also has a system of lunar mansions, called ''[[Nakshatras]]''.) | In addition, for the Chinese, the region of sky passed through by the [[ecliptic]] is not divided into 12 [[zodiac|zodiacal constellations]], but in '''Twenty-eight Mansions''' (二十八宿 èrshíbā xiù). The division is that as in each day of the month, the [[Moon]] ocupes one of these mansions. The Twenty-eight Mansions reflect the movement of the Moon, whereas the Zodiac reflects that of the Sun. ([[Indian astronomy]] also has a system of lunar mansions, called ''[[Nakshatras]]''.) | ||
Revision as of 19:52, 25 January 2008
The Chinese have a tradition of grouping stars in constellations that is completely different from the Western one.
In traditional Chinese thought, the arrangement of the sky reflects the political arrangements on Earth: the most northern stars represents the most elevated figures, and Polaris represent the Emperor - around which all other stars revolve. [1] Also, the sky around North Celestial Pole (the circumpolar region) is divided in Three Enclosures (三垣 sān yuán).
In addition, for the Chinese, the region of sky passed through by the ecliptic is not divided into 12 zodiacal constellations, but in Twenty-eight Mansions (二十八宿 èrshíbā xiù). The division is that as in each day of the month, the Moon ocupes one of these mansions. The Twenty-eight Mansions reflect the movement of the Moon, whereas the Zodiac reflects that of the Sun. (Indian astronomy also has a system of lunar mansions, called Nakshatras.)
3 Enclosures
The Three Enclosures (三垣 sān yuán) are:
- Purple Forbidden enclosure (紫微垣, Zǐ Wēi Yuán) - the nothersmost area of the night sky, contain the north pole, in the center of stars' movements;
- Supreme Palace enclosure (太微垣, Tài Wēi Yuán) - lies at one side of the Forbidden Enclosure;
- Heavenly Market enclosure (天市垣, Tiān Shì Yuán) - lies at the other side of the Forbidden Enclosure.
28 Mansions
The Twenty-Eight Mansions (二十八宿 èrshíbā xiù) are:
| Four Symbols (四象) |
"Xiu" (宿) | |||
| name | pinyin | litteral translation [2] | approx. localization due to official constellations | |
| The Azure Dragon of the East (東方青龍) |
角 | Jiăo | Horn | Virgo, around Spica |
| 亢 | Kàng | Neck | Virgo | |
| 氐 | Dī | Root | Libra | |
| 房 | Fáng | Room | Libra | |
| 心 | Xīn | Heart | Scorpius, around Antares | |
| 尾 | Wěi | Tail | Scorpius | |
| 箕 | Jī | Winnowing Basket | Sagittarius | |
| The Black Tortoise of the North (北方玄武) |
斗 | Dǒu | Dipper | Sagittarius |
| 牛 | Niú | Ox | Capricornus | |
| 女 | Nǚ | Girl | Aquarius | |
| 虛 | Xū | Emptiness | Aquarius | |
| 危 | Wēi | Rooftop, Danger | Aquarius/Pegasus | |
| 室 | Shì | Encampment, Room | Pegasus | |
| 壁 | Bì | Wall | Pegasus, around Algenib | |
| The White Tiger of the West (西方白虎) |
奎 | Kuí | Legs | Andromeda |
| 婁 | Lóu | Bond | Aries | |
| 胃 | Wèi | Stomach | Aries | |
| 昴 | Mǎo | Hairy Head | Taurus, around The Pleiades | |
| 畢 | Bì | Net | Taurus | |
| 觜 | Zī | Turtle Beak | Orion | |
| 參 | Shēn | Three Stars | Orion | |
| The Vermillion Bird of the South (南方朱雀) |
井 | Jǐng | Well | Gemini |
| 鬼 | Guǐ | Ghost, Demon | Cancer | |
| 柳 | Liǔ | Willow | Hydra | |
| 星 | Xīng | Star | Hydra, around Alphard | |
| 張 | Zhāng | Extended Net,Growth | Crater | |
| 翼 | Yì | Wings | Corvus | |
| 軫 | Zhěn | Chariot, Strongly (as of emotion) |
Corvus | |