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The chinese have a tradition of grouping stars that is very different from the western one. These groups are what we call [[Chinese Constellation]]s.
The Chinese have a tradition of grouping stars that is very different from the Western one. These groups are what we call [[Chinese Constellation]]s.


In traditional chinese thought, the celestial arrangement of 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 traditional Chinese thought, the celestial arrangement of 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 chinese people, the region of sky passed 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, rather than Zodiac reflects the Sun one. The [[indian astronomy]] also addopts 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]]''.)


==3 Enclosures==
==3 Enclosures==

Revision as of 12:07, 24 January 2008

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The Chinese have a tradition of grouping stars that is very different from the Western one. These groups are what we call Chinese Constellations.

In traditional Chinese thought, the celestial arrangement of 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:

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

References

  1. ↑ Ronan, Colin A. The Cambridge Illustrated History of the World's Science, Vol. 2. 1984: Cambridge University Press.
  2. ↑ Translations of the Xiu names are done literally and may not be the true and original meaning
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