All Skies Encyclopaedia - User contributions [en]

Jian

2026-07-06T12:01:23Z

Boshunyang: /* Identification of stars */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Jian (建)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Jianxing in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''''Jian'' in Stellarium''']]
{{Infobox constellation
| name = Jiàn (建)
| native = 建
| translation = Erect
| pronounce = Jian
| IPA = /tɕjɛn˥˩/
| culture = Chinese
| RA = ... to ...
| dec = ... to ...
| areatotal = xx.xx
| numbermainstars = 6
| numberbfstars = 6
| numberstarsplanets =
| numberbrightstars = 1
| numbernearbystars =
| brighteststarname = π Sgr [[Albaldah]]
| starmagnitude = 2.88
| neareststarname =
| stardistance =
| numbermessierobjects =
| meteorshowers =
| bordering = Sgr
| notes =
| cat = constellation
}}
Jiàn (Erect, 建), also called Jianxing, is a six-star asterism belongs to the Shi tradition and is preserved with a determinative-star coordinate in the Shi star catalogue quoted in the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing''. It lies north of Nandou and corresponds to part of modern Sagittarius. Modern reconstructions usually take ξ² Sgr as the determinative star and identify the other members with ο Sgr, π Sgr, d Sgr, ρ¹ Sgr, and υ Sgr. It was in existence at least by the 4th century BC.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The primary meaning of ''jian'' 建 is “to set up” or “to erect,” as in raising a wooden pole or a flagstaff. It was later extended to mean “to establish,” “to institute,” or “to construct.” During the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods, Jian was used in one tradition as the eighth of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. At the same time, there also existed a parallel system in which this position was occupied by Dou 斗, and it was this latter system that gradually became the more widely accepted one in later periods. Since the region of Jian was regarded as the place where the Sun was located at the winter solstice, and since the winter solstice served as a crucial starting point for astronomical computation, Jian acquired special calendrical significance. It was therefore described as “the gate through which yin and yang begin and end” and as “the origin of the harmonic(which correspond closed to calendar) and the calendar.” Because Jian lies close to the ecliptic, the space between Nandou and Jian was understood as a route along which the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets travelled. For this reason, Jian was also known by such names as “Celestial Pass” (''Tianguan'' 天关) or “the metropolitan pass of Heaven” (''tian zhi duguan'' 天之都关).<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> A ''guan'' 关 was both a node of movement and a point of frontier control; consequently, Jian further came to evoke the symbolic world of flags, drums, and horses—objects associated with military mobilization and command. Its alternative name “Celestial Flag” (''Tianqi'' 天旗) may also be related to the original sense of ''jian'' as “raising” or “setting up” a banner. In sum, because of its long history and its important celestial position, Jian accumulated a rich range of meanings. The convergence and layering of these cultural associations transformed it into a highly conceptual asterism, one that brought together celestial location, planetary motion, calendrical beginnings, routes of passage, and the military-administrative order of the state. It may thus be understood as a symbol of order combining calendrical, transit, and politico-military meanings.

Jian also acquired other extended meanings. The ''Tianwen zhi'' of the ''Sui shu'' and the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing'' preserve an interpretation of its six-star structure: the two southern stars are the Celestial Storehouse; the two central stars are the Market, or alternatively the axe and execution block; and the two upper stars are the Flag. The statement in the ''Shiwei: Yadu lan'' 詩緯·雅度覽, “When the Jian stars move, labor will not cease,” clearly draws on another extended meaning of ''jian'', namely “to build” or “to undertake construction.”<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> This illustrates a common feature of astrological texts: the same asterism did not correspond to a single fixed object, but could carry several related and mutually transformable layers of meaning in different textual and divinatory contexts.

A prominent actual record involving Jianxing is the “guest star” of the ninth year of Yongping in the Later Han (66 CE). The text says that it emerged at Qianniu, was eight chi long, passed Jianxing, reached south of Fang, and disappeared after fifty days. 出牵牛，长八尺，历建星至房南，灭见至五十日<ref>''Hou Han shu'', Tianwen zhi</ref> Ho Peng Yoke lists it as no. 78 and treats it as a likely comet, probably related to Halley’s comet, because of its length, motion, and duration.<ref>Ho Peng Yoke, “Ancient and Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy 5 (1962)</ref>

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable.
{| class="wikitable"
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
!Han Dynasty (SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>)
!3rd to 6th Century (Boshun Yang<ref name=":12">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023).</ref>)
!Song Dynaty (Boshun Yang<ref name=":12" />, 1034 CE)
!Song Dynasty (Pan Nai<ref name=":02">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989.</ref>, 1052 CE)
!Yuan Dynasty (Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009.</ref>, 1279-1368)
!Qing Dynaty (Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981.</ref>, 18th Century)
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
|-
|1st
|xi² Sgr
|xi² Sgr
|xi² Sgr
|xi² Sgr
|xi² Sgr
|xi² Sgr
|xi² Sgr
|-
|2nd
|omi Sgr
|omi Sgr
|omi Sgr
|omi Sgr
|omi Sgr
|omi Sgr
|omi Sgr
|-
|3rd
|pi Sgr
|pi Sgr
|pi Sgr
|pi Sgr
|pi Sgr
|pi Sgr
|pi Sgr
|-
|4th(Determinative)
|d Sgr
|d Sgr
|d Sgr
|d Sgr
|d Sgr
|d Sgr
|d Sgr
|-
|5th
|rho¹ Sgr
|rho¹ Sgr
|rho¹ Sgr
|rho¹ Sgr
|rho¹ Sgr
|rho¹ Sgr
|rho¹ Sgr
|-
|6th
|ups Sgr
|ups Sgr
|ups Sgr
|ups Sgr
|ups Sgr
|ups Sgr
|ups Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Jianxing on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Gezi yuejin tu.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Suzhou stat map.jpg|thumb|Jian on Suzhou stat map]]
|[[File:Jianxing and Nandou in Stellarium.png|thumb|Jian and Nandou in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Jian" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of historical comets that occurred near Jian. Since xi² Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to xi² Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-06T12:01:19Z

Boshunyang: /* Identification of stars */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Nandou (南斗)}}

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
{{Infobox constellation
| name = Nandou (南斗)
| native = 南斗
| translation = Southern Dipper
| pronounce = Nándǒu
| IPA = /nan˧˥ toʊ˨˩˦/
| culture = Chinese
| RA = ... to ...
| dec = ... to ...
| areatotal = xx.xx
| numbermainstars = 6
| numberbfstars = 6
| numberstarsplanets =
| numberbrightstars = 3
| numbernearbystars =
| brighteststarname = σ Sgr
| starmagnitude = 2.07
| neareststarname =
| stardistance =
| numbermessierobjects =
| meteorshowers =
| bordering = Sgr
| notes =
| cat = constellation
}}
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper 南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation [[Sagittarius]]. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing Go is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely. <gallery widths="500" heights="300">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
File:Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty).jpg|'''Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty)'''
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<ref>Susanne M Hoffmann, Nikolaus Vogt, Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', Volume 494, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 5775–5786, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1162</nowiki></ref><blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).<gallery widths="400" heights="400">
File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|'''G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)<ref>Zhou P, Vink J, Li G, et al. G7. 7–3.7: A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)[J]. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2018, 865(1): L6.</ref>'''
</gallery></blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
!Han Dynasty (SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>)
!3rd to 6th Century (Boshun Yang<ref name=":12">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023).</ref>)
!Song Dynaty (Boshun Yang<ref name=":12" />, 1034 CE)
!Song Dynasty (Pan Nai<ref name=":02">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989.</ref>, 1052 CE)
!Yuan Dynasty (Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009.</ref>, 1279-1368)
!Qing Dynaty (Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981.</ref>, 18th Century)
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
|-
|1st
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|-
|2nd
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|-
|3rd
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|-
|4th(Determinative)
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Jian

2026-07-06T11:55:16Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Jian (建)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Jianxing in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''''Jian'' in Stellarium''']]
{{Infobox constellation
| name = Jiàn (建)
| native = 建
| translation = Erect
| pronounce = Jian
| IPA = /tɕjɛn˥˩/
| culture = Chinese
| RA = ... to ...
| dec = ... to ...
| areatotal = xx.xx
| numbermainstars = 6
| numberbfstars = 6
| numberstarsplanets =
| numberbrightstars = 1
| numbernearbystars =
| brighteststarname = π Sgr [[Albaldah]]
| starmagnitude = 2.88
| neareststarname =
| stardistance =
| numbermessierobjects =
| meteorshowers =
| bordering = Sgr
| notes =
| cat = constellation
}}
Jiàn (Erect, 建), also called Jianxing, is a six-star asterism belongs to the Shi tradition and is preserved with a determinative-star coordinate in the Shi star catalogue quoted in the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing''. It lies north of Nandou and corresponds to part of modern Sagittarius. Modern reconstructions usually take ξ² Sgr as the determinative star and identify the other members with ο Sgr, π Sgr, d Sgr, ρ¹ Sgr, and υ Sgr. It was in existence at least by the 4th century BC.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The primary meaning of ''jian'' 建 is “to set up” or “to erect,” as in raising a wooden pole or a flagstaff. It was later extended to mean “to establish,” “to institute,” or “to construct.” During the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods, Jian was used in one tradition as the eighth of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. At the same time, there also existed a parallel system in which this position was occupied by Dou 斗, and it was this latter system that gradually became the more widely accepted one in later periods. Since the region of Jian was regarded as the place where the Sun was located at the winter solstice, and since the winter solstice served as a crucial starting point for astronomical computation, Jian acquired special calendrical significance. It was therefore described as “the gate through which yin and yang begin and end” and as “the origin of the harmonic(which correspond closed to calendar) and the calendar.” Because Jian lies close to the ecliptic, the space between Nandou and Jian was understood as a route along which the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets travelled. For this reason, Jian was also known by such names as “Celestial Pass” (''Tianguan'' 天关) or “the metropolitan pass of Heaven” (''tian zhi duguan'' 天之都关).<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> A ''guan'' 关 was both a node of movement and a point of frontier control; consequently, Jian further came to evoke the symbolic world of flags, drums, and horses—objects associated with military mobilization and command. Its alternative name “Celestial Flag” (''Tianqi'' 天旗) may also be related to the original sense of ''jian'' as “raising” or “setting up” a banner. In sum, because of its long history and its important celestial position, Jian accumulated a rich range of meanings. The convergence and layering of these cultural associations transformed it into a highly conceptual asterism, one that brought together celestial location, planetary motion, calendrical beginnings, routes of passage, and the military-administrative order of the state. It may thus be understood as a symbol of order combining calendrical, transit, and politico-military meanings.

Jian also acquired other extended meanings. The ''Tianwen zhi'' of the ''Sui shu'' and the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing'' preserve an interpretation of its six-star structure: the two southern stars are the Celestial Storehouse; the two central stars are the Market, or alternatively the axe and execution block; and the two upper stars are the Flag. The statement in the ''Shiwei: Yadu lan'' 詩緯·雅度覽, “When the Jian stars move, labor will not cease,” clearly draws on another extended meaning of ''jian'', namely “to build” or “to undertake construction.”<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> This illustrates a common feature of astrological texts: the same asterism did not correspond to a single fixed object, but could carry several related and mutually transformable layers of meaning in different textual and divinatory contexts.

A prominent actual record involving Jianxing is the “guest star” of the ninth year of Yongping in the Later Han (66 CE). The text says that it emerged at Qianniu, was eight chi long, passed Jianxing, reached south of Fang, and disappeared after fifty days. 出牵牛，长八尺，历建星至房南，灭见至五十日<ref>''Hou Han shu'', Tianwen zhi</ref> Ho Peng Yoke lists it as no. 78 and treats it as a likely comet, probably related to Halley’s comet, because of its length, motion, and duration.<ref>Ho Peng Yoke, “Ancient and Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy 5 (1962)</ref>

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable.
{| class="wikitable"
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
!Han Dynasty (SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>)
!3rd to 6th Century (Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023).</ref>)
!Song Dynaty (Boshun Yang<ref name=":1" />, 1034 CE)
!Song Dynasty (Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989.</ref>, 1052 CE)
!Yuan Dynasty (Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009.</ref>, 1279-1368)
!Qing Dynaty (Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981.</ref>, 18th Century)
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
|-
|1st
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|-
|2nd
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|-
|3rd
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|-
|4th(Determinative)
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Jianxing on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Gezi yuejin tu.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Suzhou stat map.jpg|thumb|Jian on Suzhou stat map]]
|[[File:Jianxing and Nandou in Stellarium.png|thumb|Jian and Nandou in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Jian" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of historical comets that occurred near Jian. Since xi² Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to xi² Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-06T11:54:13Z

Boshunyang: /* Identification of stars */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Nandou (南斗)}}

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
{{Infobox constellation
| name = Nandou (南斗)
| native = 南斗
| translation = Southern Dipper
| pronounce = Nándǒu
| IPA = /nan˧˥ toʊ˨˩˦/
| culture = Chinese
| RA = ... to ...
| dec = ... to ...
| areatotal = xx.xx
| numbermainstars = 6
| numberbfstars = 6
| numberstarsplanets =
| numberbrightstars = 3
| numbernearbystars =
| brighteststarname = σ Sgr
| starmagnitude = 2.07
| neareststarname =
| stardistance =
| numbermessierobjects =
| meteorshowers =
| bordering = Sgr
| notes =
| cat = constellation
}}
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper 南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation [[Sagittarius]]. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing Go is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely. <gallery widths="500" heights="300">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
File:Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty).jpg|'''Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty)'''
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<ref>Susanne M Hoffmann, Nikolaus Vogt, Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', Volume 494, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 5775–5786, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1162</nowiki></ref><blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).<gallery widths="400" heights="400">
File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|'''G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)<ref>Zhou P, Vink J, Li G, et al. G7. 7–3.7: A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)[J]. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2018, 865(1): L6.</ref>'''
</gallery></blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
!Han Dynasty (SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>)
!3rd to 6th Century (Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). </ref>)
!Song Dynaty (Boshun Yang<ref name=":1" />, 1034 CE)
!Song Dynasty (Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989.</ref>, 1052 CE)
!Yuan Dynasty (Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009.</ref>, 1279-1368)
!Qing Dynaty (Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981.</ref>, 18th Century)
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
|-
|1st
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|zeta Sgr
|-
|2nd
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|tau Sgr
|-
|3rd
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|sigma Sgr
|-
|4th(Determinative)
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|phi Sgr
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Chinese (All Terms)

2026-07-05T21:03:41Z

Boshunyang:

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
<div style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em;">
<youtube align=right>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Ml8wE3jSc</youtube>
</div>
=== Solar System Names ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Traditional Terms
!Pinyin
!Simplified
!Wade-Giles
!English
!commentary
|-
|日
|rì
|Ri
|
|Sun
|
|-
|月
|yuè
|[[Yue]]
|
|Moon
|
|-
|水星
|shuǐ xīng
|Shui Xing
|
|Mercury
|
|-
|金星
|jīn xīng
|Jin Ying
|
|Venus
|
|-
|火星
|huǒ xīng
|Huo Xing
|
|Mars
|
|-
|木星
|mù xīng
|Mu Xing
|
|Jupiter
|
|-
|土星
|tǔ xīng
|Tu Xing
|
|Saturn
|
|}

=== Here is an overview on all Chinese constellation names ===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Constellation Names
! colspan="3" |Romanisation
!English
!commentary
|-
!Classical
!Simplified
!Pinyin
!Simplified
!Wade-Giles
!
!
|-
|
|八穀
|Bā Gǔ
|[[Bagu]]
|
|Eight Kinds of Crops
|
|-
|
|敗瓜
|Bài Guā
|Baigua
|
|Rotten Gourd
|
|-
|
|敗臼
|Bài Jiù
|Baijiu
|
|Decayed Mortar
|
|-
|
|八魁
|Bā Kuí
|Bakui
|
|Net [for Catching Animals]
|
|-
|
|北斗
|Běi Dǒu
|Beidou
|
|Northern Dipper
|
|-
|
|北河
|Běi Hé
|Beihei
|
|North River
|
|-
|
|北極
|Běi Jí
|Beiji
|
|North Pole
|
|-
|
|北落師門
|Běi Luò Shī Mén
|Beiluo Shimen
|
|North Gate of the Military Camp
|
|-
|
|壁宿
|Bì Xiù
|Bi
|
|Wall Mansion
|Dong Bi (Eastern Wall Mansion)
|-
|
|畢宿
|Bì Xiù
|[[Bixiu|Bi]]
|
|Net Mansion
|
|-
|
|鱉
|Biē
|Bie
|
|River Turtle
|
|-
|
|帛度
|Bó Dù
|[[Bodu]]
|
|Textile Ruler
|
|-
|
|策
|Cè
|[[Ce]]
|
|Whip
|
|-
|
|
|
|[[Cexing]]
|
|
|modern star name
|-
|
|常陳
|Cháng Chén
|Changchen
|
|Imperial Guards
|
|-
|
|長沙
|Chángshá
|Changsha
|
|Changsha
|
|-
|
|长垣
|Cháng Yuán
|Changyuan
|
|Long Wall
|
|-
|
|車府
|Chē Fǔ
|Chefu
|
|Yard for Chariots
|
|-
|
|車騎
|Chē Qí
|Cheqi
|
|Chariots and Cavalry
|
|-
|
|車肆
|Chē Sì
|Chesi
|
|Commodity Market
|
|-
|
|杵
|Chǔ
|Chu
|
|Pestle
|
|-
|
|楚
|Chǔ
|Chu
|
|Chu
|
|-
|
|傳舍
|Chuán Shè
|Chuanshe
|
|Guest House
|
|-
|
|芻蒿
|Chú Hāo
|Chuhao
|
|Hay
|
|-
|
|從官
|Cóng Guān
|Congguan
|
|Retinue
|
|-
|
|天皇大帝
|Tiān Huáng Dà Dì
|Dadi
|
|Great Emperor of Heaven
|
|-
|
|代
|Dài
|Dai
|
|Dai
|
|-
|
|大角
|Dà Jiǎo
|Dajiao
|
|Great Horn
|
|-
|
|大理
|Dà Lǐ
|Dali
|
|Chief Judge
|
|-
|
|大陵
|Dà Líng
|Daling
|
|Mausoleum
|
|-
|
|丹凤
|
|[[Danfeng]]
|
|
|modern star name that refers to a sacred (phoenix-like) bird in Chinese mythology
|-
|
|氐宿
|Dī Xiù
|Di
|
|Root Mansion
|
|-
|
|帝
|Dì
|Di
|
|Emperor
|
|-
|
|帝座
|Dì Zuò
|Dizuo
|
|Emperor's Seat
|
|-
|
|東甌
|Dōng Ōu
|Dongou
|
|Dong'ou
|
|-
|
|東次相
|Dōng Cì Xiàng
|Dong Cixiang
|
|Second Eastern Minister
|normally a name for del Vir (Minelauva)
|-
|
|東次將
|Dōng Cì Jiàng
|Dong Cijiang
|
|Second Eastern General
|normally a name for eps Vir (Vindemiatrix)
|-
|
|東上將
|Dōng Shàng Jiàng
|Dong Shangjiang
|
|First Eastern General
|normally a name for alf Com (Diadem)
|-
|
|東上相
|Dōng Shàng Xiàng
|Dong Shangxiang
|
|First Eastern Minister
|normally a name for gam Vir (Porrima)
|-
|
|東咸
|Dōng Xián
|Dongxian
|
|Eastern Door
|
|-
|
|斗宿
|Dǒu Xiù
|[[Nandou|Dou]]
|
|Dipper Mansion
|
|-
|
|斗
|Dǒu
|Dou
|
|Measure for Grain
|
|-
|
|頓頑
|Dùn Wán
|Dunwan
|
|Jailer
|
|-
|
|伐
|Fá
|Fa
|
|Dagger of Shen
|
|-
|
|罰
|Fá
|Fa
|
|Fine
|
|-
|
|房宿
|Fáng Xiù
|[[Fang]]
|
|Room Mansion
|
|-
|
|墳墓
|Fén Mù
|Fenmu
|
|Tomb
|
|-
|
|輔
|Fǔ
|Fu
|
|Assistant
|normally a name for 80 UMa that is named Alcor
|-
|
|附耳
|Fù Ěr
|Fu'er
|
|Attached Ear
|
|-
|
|扶筐
|Fú Kuāng
|Fukuang
|
|Basket for Mulberry Leaves
|
|-
|
|附路
|Fù Lù
|[[Fulu]]
|
|Auxiliary Road
|
|-
|
|
|
|Furen
|
|
|see [[Wei]]
|-
|
|傅說
|Fù Yuè
|[[Fuyue]]
|
|Fu Yue
|
|-
|
|鈇锧
|Fū Zhì
|Fuzhi
|
|Executioner’s Axe and Block
|
|-
|
|蓋屋
|Gài Wū
|Gaiwu
|
|Roofing
|
|-
|
|槓
|Gàng
|[[Gang]]
|
|Canopy Shaft
|
|-
|
|閣道
|Gé Dào
|Gedao
|
|Flying Corridor
|
|-
|
|梗河
|Gěng Hé
|Genghe
|
|Celestial Shield or Lance
|
|-
|
|鈎
|Gōu
|Gou
|
|Hook
|
|-
|
|狗
|Gǒu
|Gou
|
|Dog
|
|-
|
|勾陳
|Gōu Chén
|Gouchen
|
|Curved Array
|
|-
|
|狗國
|Gǒu Guó
|Gougou
|
|Territory of Dogs
|
|-
|
|鈎鈐
|Gōu Yín
|Gouyin
|
|Lock
|
|-
|
|爟
|Guàn
|Guan
|
|Beacon Fire
|
|-
|
|貫索
|Guàn Suǒ
|[[Guansuo]]
|
|Coiled Throng
|
|-
|
|龜
|Guī
|Gui
|
|Tortoise
|
|-
|
|鬼宿
|Guǐ Xiù
|Gui
|
|Ghosts Mansion
|
|-
|
|鼓旗
|Gŭ Qí
|[[Guqi]]
|
|Drum Flag
|
|-
|
|韓
|Hán
|Han
|
|Han
|
|-
|
|河鼓
|Hé Gǔ
|Hegu
|
|Drum at the River
|
|-
|
|衡
|[[Heng|Héng]]
|[[Heng]]
|
|Purlin
|
|-
|
|候
|Hòu
|Hou
|
|Astrologer
|
|-
|
|後宮
|Hòu Gōng
|Hougong
|
|Imperial Harem
|
|-
|
|斛
|Hú
|Hu
|
|Square Box for Measuring
|
|-
|
|華蓋
|Huá Gài
|[[Huagai]]
|
|Canopy of the Emperor
|
|-
|
|宦者
|Huàn Zhě
|[[Huanzhe]]
|
|Eunuch Official
|
|-
|
|虎賁
|Hǔ Bēn
|Huben
|
|Emperor's Bodyguard
|
|-
|
|瓠瓜
|Hù Guā
|Hugua
|
|Gourd
|
|-
|
|弧矢
|Hú Shǐ
|Hushi
|
|Bow and Arrow
|
|-
|
|箕宿
|Jī Xiù
|Ji
|
|Winnowing Basket Mansion
|
|-
|
|建
|Jiàn
|[[Jian]]
|
|Erect
|
|-
|
|鍵閉
|Jiàn Bì
|Jianbi
|
|Door Bolt
|
|-
|
|漸臺
|Jiàn Tái
|[[Jiantai]]
|
|Clepsydra Terrace
|
|-
|
|角宿
|Jiǎo Xiù
|Jiao
|
|Horn Mansion
|
|-
|
|晉
|Jìn
|Jin
|
|Jin
|
|-
|
|井宿
|Jǐng Xiù
|Jing
|
|Well Mansion
|
|-
|
|進賢
|Jìn Xián
|JinXian
|
|Recommending Virtuous Man
|
|-
|
|積屍
|Jī Shī
|Jishi
|
|Heaps of Corpses
|
|-
|
|積屍氣
|Jī Shī Qì
|Jishiqi
|
|Fog of Cumulative Corpses
|
|-
|
|積水
|Jī Shuǐ or
Jī Shǔi
|[[Jishui]]
|
|<nowiki>Accumulated Water in the Ship | </nowiki>
Stored Water to Make Wine
|
|-
|
|臼
|Jiù
|Jiu
|
|Mortar
|
|-
|
|九坎
|Jiǔ Kǎn
|Jiukan
|
|Nine Water Wells
|
|-
|
|酒旗
|Jiǔ Qí
|Jiuqi
|
|Banner of Wine Shop
|
|-
|
|九卿內座
|Jiǔ Qīng Nèi Zuò
|Jiuqing Neizuo
|
|Inner Seats for Nine Ministers
|
|-
|
|九斿
|Jiǔ Yóu
|Jiuyou
|
|Nine Flags
|
|-
|
|九州殊口
|Jiǔ Zhōu Shū Kǒu
|Jiuzhou Shukou
|
|Interpreters of Dialects
|
|-
|
|積薪
|Jī Xīn
|Jixin
|
|Pile of Firewood
|
|-
|
|積卒
|Jī Zú
|Jizu
|
|Group of Soldiers
|
|-
|
|卷舌
|Juǎn Shé
|Juanshe
|
|Rolled Tongue
|
|-
|
|軍井
|Jūn Jǐng
|Junjing
|
|Military Well
|
|-
|
|軍門
|Jūn Mén
|Junmen
|
|Military Gate
|
|-
|
|軍南門
|Jūn Nán Mén
|[[Junnanmen]]
|
|Southern Military Gate
|
|-
|
|軍市
|Jūn Shì
|Junshi
|
|Market for the Soldiers
|
|-
|
|糠
|Kāng
|Kang
|
|Chaff
|
|-
|
|亢宿
|[[Kang|Kàng Xiù]]
|[[Kang]]
|
|Neck Mansion
|
|-
|
|亢池
|Kàng Chí
|Kangchi
|
|Boats and Lake
|
|-
|
|開陽
|Kāi Yáng
|Kaiyang
|
|Opener of Heat
|normally a name for zeta UMa that is named Mizar. 83 UMa is the brighter one of two in the vicinity (it is a pulsating M-variable)
|-
|
|哭
|Kū
|Ku
|
|Crying
|
|-
|
|[[Kui|奎宿]]
|[[Kui|Kuí Xiù]]
|[[Kui]]
|
|Crotch Mansion
|
|-
|
|[[Kulou|庫樓]]
|[[Kulou|Kù Lóu]]
|[[Kulou]]
|
|Arsenal
|
|-
|
|狼
|Láng
|Lang
|
|Wolf
|
|-
|
|郎將
|Láng Jiàng
|Langjiang
|
|Captain of the Bodyguards
|
|-
|
|[[Langwei|郎位]]
|[[Langwei|Láng Wèi]]
|[[Langwei]]
|
|Official of the Imperial Guard
|
|-
|
|老人
|Lǎo Rén
|Laoren
|
|Old Man
|
|-
|
|壘壁陣
|Lěi Bì Zhèn
|Leibizhen
|
|Line of Ramparts
|
|-
|
|雷電
|Léi Diàn
|Leidian
|
|Thunder and Lightning
|
|-
|
|列肆
|Liè Sì
|Liesi
|
|Jewel Market
|
|-
|
|離宮
|Lí Gōng
|Ligong
|
|Resting Palace
|
|-
|
|靈台
|Líng Tái
|Lingtai
|
|Astronomical Observatory
|
|-
|
|礪石
|Lì Shí
|Lishi
|
|Grind Stone
|
|-
|
|柳宿
|Liǔ Xiù
|Liu
|
|Willow Mansion
|
|-
|
|六甲
|Liù Jiǎ
|Liujia
|
|Six Jia
|
|-
|
|璃瑜
|Lí Yú
|Liyu
|
|Jade Ornament on Ladies' Wear
|
|-
|
|離珠
|Lí Zhū
|Lizhu
|
|Pearls on Ladies' Wear
|
|-
|
|婁宿
|Lóu Xiù
|Lou
|
|Basket Mansion
|
|-
|
|羅堰
|Luó Yàn
|Luoyan
|
|Networks of Dikes
|
|-
|
|昴宿
|Mǎo Xiù
|Mao
|
|Hairy Head Mansion
|
|-
|
|明堂
|Míng Táng
|Mingtang
|
|Cosmological Temple
|
|-
|
|南河
|Nán Hé
|Nanhe
|
|South River
|
|-
|
|南門
|Nán Mén
|Nanmen
|
|Southern Gate
|
|-
|
|內廚
|Nèi Chú
|Neichu
|
|Inner Kitchen
|
|-
|
|內階
|Nèi Jiē
|Neijie
|
|Inner Steps
|
|-
|
|內屏
|Nèi Píng
|Neiping
|
|Inner Screen
|
|-
|
|內平
|Nèi Píng
|Neiping
|
|Inner Judge
|
|-
|
|內五諸侯
|Nèi Wǔ Zhū Hóu
|Neiwu Zhuhou
|
|Five Lords of Heaven inside Taiwei
|
|-
|
|三公內座
|Sān Gōng Nèi Zuò
|Neizuo
|
|Inner Seats for three Excellencies
|
|-
|
|輦道
|Niǎn Dào
|[[Niandao]]
|
|Imperial Passageway
|
|-
|
|牛宿
|Niú Xiù
|Niu
|
|Ox Mansion
|
|-
|
|钮
|Nĭu
|Niu
|
|Pivot
|
|-
|
|農丈人
|Nóng Zhàng Rén
|Nong Zhangren
|
|Old Peasant
|
|-
|
|女宿
|Nǚ Xiù
|Nü
|
|Women Mansion
|
|-
|
|女床
|Nǚ Chuáng
|[[Nüchuang]]
|
|Woman's Bed
|
|-
|
|女史
|Nǚ Shǐ
|Nüshi
|
|Woman Officer in Charge of Time
|
|-
|
|霹靂
|Pī Lì
|Pili
|
|Thunderbolt
|
|-
|
|
|
|Pin
|
|
|see [[Wei]]
|-
|
|屏
|Píng
|[[Ping]]
|
|Screen
|
|-
|
|平
|Píng
|Ping
|
|Judge
|
|-
|
|平道
|Píng Dào
|Pingdao
|
|Flat Road
|
|-
|
|齊
|Qí
|Qi
|
|Qi
|
|-
|
|泣
|Qì
|Qi
|
|Weeping
|
|-
|
|器府
|Qì Fǔ
|Qifu
|
|House for Musical Instruments
|
|-
|
|七公
|Qī Gōng
|[[Qigong]]
|
|Seven Excellencies
|
|-
|
|騎官
|Qí Guān
|Qiguan
|
|Cavalry Officers
|
|-
|
|秦
|Qín
|Qin
|
|Qin
|
|-
|
|青丘
|Qīng Qiū
|Qingqiu
|
|Green Hill
|
|-
|
|騎陣將軍
|Qí Zhèn Jiāng Jūn
|Qizhen Jiangjun
|
|Chariot and Cavalry General
|
|-
|
|闕丘
|Què Qiū
|Queqiu
|
|Two Buildings on both Sides of Palace Gate
|
|-
|
|人
|Rén
|Ren
|
|Humans
|
|-
|
|日
|Rì
|Ri
|
|Sun
|
|-
|
|三公
|Sān Gōng
|Sangong
|
|Three Excellencies
|
|-
|
|三台
|
|Santai
|
|Three Steps
|super-constellation of [[Shangtai]], [[Xiatai]] and [[Zhnogtai|Zhongtai]]
|-
|
|上丞
|Shàng Chéng
|[[Shangcheng and Shaocheng|Shangcheng]]
|
|The Great Imperial Minister
|modern star name
|-
|
|尚書
|Shàng Shū
|Shangshu
|
|Royal Secretary
|
|-
|
|上台
|Shàng Tái
|[[Shangtai]]
|
|Upper Step
|
|-
|
|上衛
|Shàng Wèi
|[[Shangwei]]
|
|The Great Imperial Guard
|modern star name
|-
|
|少丞
|Shào Chéng
|[[Shangcheng and Shaocheng|Shaocheng]]
|
|The Second Imperial Minister
|
|-
|
|[[Taimin and Shaomin|少民]]
|
|[[Taimin and Shaomin|Shaomin]]
|
|
|spelling variants: Shaoming = Shaomin = Tumin = Shangmin
|-
|
|少微
|Shào Wēi
|Shaowei
|
|Scholar-officials
|
|-
|
|少衛
|Shào Wèi
|[[Shaowei]]
|
|Imperial Second Guard
|modern star name
|-
|
|參宿
|Shēn Xiù
|Shen
|
|Three Stars Mansion
|
|-
|
|神宫
|Shén Gōnɡ
|[[Shengong]]
|
|Divine Palace
|
|-
|
|參旗
|Shēn Qí
|Shenqi
|
|Banner of Shen
|
|-
|
|勢
|Shì
|Shenqi
|
|Eunuch
|
|-
|
|矢
|Shǐ
|Shi
|
|Excrement
|
|-
|
|室宿
|Shì Xiù
|Shi
|
|Room Mansion
|
|-
|
|市樓
|Shì Lóu
|Shilou
|
|Market Tower
|
|-
|
|豕目
|
|[[Shimu]]
|
|Pig
|modern star name, based on a Neolithic Chinese constellation
|-
|
|水府
|Shǔi Fǔ
|Shuifu
|
|Water Official
|
|-
|
|水位
|Shǔi Wèi
|Shuiwei
|
|Waterlevel
|
|-
|
|庶子
|Shù Zǐ
|Shuzi
|
|Son of Concubine
|
|-
|
|四瀆
|Sì Dú
|Sidu
|
|Four Rivers
|
|-
|
|司非
|Sī Fēi
|Sifei
|
|Judge of Right and Wrong
|
|-
|
|四輔
|Sì Fǔ
|Sifu
|
|Four Advisors
|
|-
|
|司怪
|Sī Guài
|Siguai
|
|Deity in Charge of Omen
|
|-
|
|司祿
|Sī Lù
|Silu
|
|Judge of Rank
|
|-
|
|司命
|Sī Mìng
|Siming
|
|Judge of Life
|
|-
|
|司危
|Sī Wēi
|Siwei
|
|Judge of Disaster and Good Fortune
|
|-
|
|孫
|Sūn
|Sun
|
|Grandson
|
|-
|
|[[Taimin and Shaomin|太民]]
|
|[[Taimin and Shaomin|Taimin]]
|
|
|spelling variants: Taiming = Taimin = Daming
|-
|
|太微
|Tài Wēi
|Taiwei
|
|Supreme Court
|
|-
|
|太陽守
|Tài Yáng Shǒu
|[[Taiyangshou]]
|
|the General in charge of the yang valve
|
|-
|
|太一
|Tài Yī
|[[Taiyi]]
|
|Supreme One
|
|-
|
|太子
|Tài Zǐ
|Taizi
|
|Crown Prince
|this name designates gam UMi but this star is already named Pherkad (so we suggest the Chinese name for Pherkad Minor)
|-
|
|太尊
|Tài Zūn
|Taizun
|
|Royals
|
|-
|
|[[Tengshe|螣蛇]]
|[[Tengshe|Téng Shé]]
|[[Tengshe]]
|
|Flying Serpent
|
|-
|
|天棓
|Tiān Bàng
|[[Tianbang]]
|
|Celestial Club Weapon
|
|-
|
|天弁
|Tiān Biàn
|Tianbian
|
|Market Officer
|
|-
|
|天倉
|Tiān Cāng
|Tiancang
|
|Square Celestial Granary
|
|-
|
|天廁
|Tiān Cè
|Tiance
|
|Celestial Toilet
|
|-
|
|天讒
|Tiān Chán
|Tianchan
|
|Celestial Slander
|
|-
|
|天廚
|Tiān Chú
|Tianchu
|
|Celestial Kitchen
|
|-
|
|天船
|Tiān Chuán
|Tianchuan
|
|Celestial Boat
|
|-
|
|天床
|Tiān Chuáng
|Tianchuang
|
|Celestial Bed
|
|-
|
|天大將軍
|Tiān Dà Jiāng Jūn
|[[Tiandajiangjun|Tian Dajiangjun]]
|
|Celestial Grand General
|
|-
|
|天阿
|Tiān Ē
|Tiané
|
|Celestial Hillside
|
|-
|
|天輻
|Tiān Fú
|Tianfu
|
|Celestial Spokes
|
|-
|
|[[Tianfu|天桴]]
|[[Tianfu|Tiān Fú]]
|[[Tianfu]]
|
|Celestial Drumstick
|
|-
|
|天綱
|Tiān Gāng
|Tiangang
|
|Celestial Headrope
|
|-
|
|天高
|Tiān Gāo
|Tiangao
|
|Celestial High Terrace
|
|-
|
|天關
|Tiān Guān
|[[Tianguan]]
|
|Celestial Pass
|
|-
|
|天潢
|Tiān Huáng
|Tianhuang
|
|Celestial Pond
|
|-
|
|天溷
|Tiān Hùn
|Tianhun
|
|Celestial Pigsty
|
|-
|
|天紀
|Tiān Jì
|[[Tianji]]
|
|Celestial Discipline
|
|-
|
|天稷
|Tiān Jì
|Tianji
|
|Celestial Cereals
|
|-
|
|天璣
|Tiān Jī
|Tianji
|
|Celestial Shining Pearl
|
|-
|
|天記
|Tiān Jì
|Tianji
|
|Judge to Estimate the Age of Animals
|
|-
|
|天雞
|Tiān Jī
|Tianji
|
|Celestial Cock
|
|-
|
|天江
|Tiān Jiāng
|Tianjiang
|
|Celestial River
|
|-
|
|天街
|Tiān Jiē
|Tianjie
|
|Celestial Street
|
|-
|
|天節
|Tiān Jié
|Tianjie
|
|Celestial Mace
|
|-
|
|天津
|Tiān Jīn
|[[Tianjin]]
|
|Celestial Bridge
|
|-
|
|天廄
|Tiān Jiù
|Tianjiu
|
|Celestial Stable
|
|-
|
|天牢
|Tiān Láo
|Tianlao
|
|Celestial Prison
|
|-
|
|天壘城
|Tiān Lěi Chéng
|Tianleicheng
|
|Celestial Castle with Walls
|
|-
|
|天理
|Tiān Lǐ
|Tianli
|
|Judge for Nobility
|
|-
|
|天廩
|Tiān Lǐn
|Tianlin
|
|Celestial Foodstuffs
|
|-
|
|天門
|Tiān Mén
|Tianmen
|
|Celestial Gate
|
|-
|
|天廟
|Tiān Miào
|Tianmiao
|
|Celestial Ancestral Temple
|
|-
|
|天錢
|Tiān Qián
|Tianqian
|
|Celestial Coin
|
|-
|
|天槍
|Tiān Qiāng
|Tianqiang
|
|Celestial Spear
|
|-
|
|天權
|Tiān Quán
|Tianquan
|
|Celestial Balance
|normally a name for del UMa which is named Megrez ( so this name applied to a star closeby)
|-
|
|天囷
|Tiān Qūn
|Tianqun
|
|Circular Celestial Granary
|
|-
|
|天乳
|Tiān Rǔ
|Tianru
|
|Celestial Milk
|
|-
|
|天社
|Tiān Shè
|[[Tianshe]]
|
|Celestial Altar of the Earth Deity
|
|-
|
|天市
|Tiān Shì
|Tianshi
|
|Heavenly Market
|
|-
|
|天豕
|
|Tianshi
|
|Heavenly Pig
|alternative (older) name for [[Kui]]
|-
|
|天豕目
|
|[[Shimu|Tianshi Mu]]
|
|Eye of the Celestial Pig
|a star name in the Tianshi=Kui
|-
|
|天樞
|Tiān Shū
|Tianshu
|
|Celestial Pivot
|normally a name for alf UMa
|-
|
|
|
|[[Tiansi]]
|
|Celestial Quadriga
|modern star name
|-
|
|天田
|Tiān Tián
|Tiantian
|
|Celestial Farmland
|
|-
|
|天田
|Tiān Tián
|Tiantian
|
|Celestial Farmland
|
|-
|
|天相
|Tiān Xiàng
|Tianxiang
|
|Celestial Ministers
|
|-
|
|天璇
|Tiān Xuán
|TianXuan
|
|Celestial Rotating Jade
|normally a name for beta UMa (applied to a star closeby)
|-
|
|天一
|Tiān Yī
|[[Tianyi]]
|
|Celestial One
|
|-
|
|天陰
|Tiān Yīn
|Tianyin
|
|Celestial Yin Force
|
|-
|
|天庾
|Tiān Yǔ
|Tianyu
|
|Ricks of Grain
|
|-
|
|天淵
|Tiān Yuān
|Tianyuan
|
|Celestial Deep Water
|
|-
|
|天苑
|Tiān Yuàn
|Tianyuan
|
|Celestial Meadows
|
|-
|
|天園
|Tiān Yuán
|Tianyuan
|
|Celestial Orchard
|
|-
|
|天籥
|Tiān Yuè
|Tianyue
|
|Celestial Key
|
|-
|
|天柱
|Tiān Zhù
|Tianzhu
|
|Celestial Pillar
|
|-
|
|天樽
|Tiān Zūn
|Tianzun
|
|Celestial Wine Cup
|
|-
|
|土公
|Tǔ Gōng
|Tugong
|
|Official for Earthworks
|
|-
|
|土公吏
|Tǔ Gōng Lì
|Tugongli
|
|Clerk for Earthworks
|
|-
|
|屠肆
|Tú Sì
|[[Tusi]]
|
|Butcher's Shop
|
|-
|
|土司空
|Tǔ Sī Kōng
|Tusikong
|
|Master of Constructions
|
|-
|
|桐陵
|Tóng Líng
|[[Tongling]]
|
|Phoenix Tree Mound
|
|-
|
|外廚
|Wài Chú
|Waichu
|
|Outer Kitchen
|
|-
|
|外屏
|Wài Píng
|Waiping
|
|Outer Screen
|
|-
|
|王良
|Wáng Liáng
|[[Wangliang]]
|
|Wang Liang
|
|-
|
|尾宿
|Wěi Xiù
|[[Wei]]
|
|Tail Mansion
|
|-
|
|魏
|Wèi
|Wei
|
|Wei
|
|-
|
|危宿
|Wēi Xiù
|[[Wēi|Wei]]
|
|Rooftop Mansion
|
|-
|
|胃宿
|Wèi Xiù
|[[Wèi|Wei]]
|
|Stomach Mansion
|
|-
|
|文昌
|Wén Chāng
|Wenchang
|
|Administrative Centre
|
|-
|
|五車
|Wǔ Chē
|Wuche
|
|Five Chariots
|
|-
|
|五帝內座
|Wǔ Dì Nèi Zuò
|Wudi Neizuo
|
|Interior Seats of Five Emperors
|
|-
|
|五帝座
|Wǔ Dì Zuò
|Wudizuo
|
|Thrones of the Five Emperors
|
|-
|
|五諸侯
|Wǔ Zhū Hóu
|Wuzhuhou
|
|Five Feudal Kings
|
|-
|
|咸池
|Xián Chí
|Xianchi
|
|Sacrad Pool
|
|-
|
|相
|Xiàng
|Xiang
|
|Prime Minister
|
|-
|
|下台
|Xià Tái
|[[Xiatai]]
|
|Lower Step
|
|-
|
|
|
|[[Xihe]]
|
|
|modern star name
|-
|
|心宿
|Xīn Xiù
|Xin
|
|Heart Mansion
|
|-
|
|星宿
|Xīng Xiù
|Xing
|
|Seven Star Mansion
|
|-
|
|幸臣
|Xìng Chén
|Xingchen
|
|Officer of Honour
|
|-
|
|西咸
|Xī Xián
|Xixian
|
|Western Door
|
|-
|
|奚仲
|Xī Zhòng
|Xizhong
|
|Xi Zhong
|
|-
|
|虛宿
|Xū Xiù
|Xu
|
|Ruins Mansion
|
|-
|
|玄戈
|Xuán Gē
|[[Xuange]]
|
|Sombre Lance
|
|-
|
|[[Xuanyuan|軒轅]]
|[[Xuanyuan|Xuānyuán]]
|[[Xuanyuan]]
|
|Xuanyuan
|
|-
|
|虛梁
|Xū Liáng
|Xuliang
|
|Temple without Beams
|
|-
|
|燕
|Yān
|Yan
|
|Yan
|
|-
|
|陽門
|Yáng Mén
|Yangmen
|
|Gate of Yang
|
|-
|
|搖光
|Yáo Guāng
|Yaoguang
|
|Twinkling Brilliance
|normally a name for eta UMa but as this star is named Alkaid (applied to a star closeby)
|-
|
|野雞
|Yě Jī
|Yeji
|
|Wild Cockerel
|
|-
|
|謁者
|Yè Zhě
|Yezhe
|
|Usher of the Court
|
|-
|
|翼宿
|Yì Xiù
|Yi
|
|Wings Mansion
|
|-
|
|陰德
|Yīn Dé
|Yinde
|
|Hidden Virtue
|
|-
|
|右更
|Yòu Gēng
|Yougeng
|
|Official in Charge of Pasturing
|
|-
|
|右旗
|Yòu Qí
|Youqi
|
|Right Flag
|
|-
|
|右攝提
|Yòu Shè Tí
|Yousheti
|
|Right Conductor
|
|-
|
|右辖
|Yòu Xiá
|Youxia
|
|Right Linchpin
|
|-
|
|魚
|Yú
|Yu
|
|Fish
|
|-
|
|越
|Yuè
|Yue
|
|Yue
|
|-
|
|鉞
|Yuè
|Yue
|
|Battle Axe
|
|-
|
|月
|Yuè
|Yue
|
|Moon
|
|-
|
|玉衡
|Yù Héng
|Yuheng
|
|Jade Sighting-tube
|normally a name for eps UMa who is already named Alioth ( thus applied to a star closeby)
|-
|
|玉井
|Yù Jǐng
|Yujing
|
|Jade Well
|
|-
|
|羽林軍
|Yǔ Lín Jūn
|Yulinjun
|
|Royal Guards
|
|-
|
|[[Yunü|御女]]
|[[Yunü|Yù Nǚ]]
|[[Yunü]]
|
|Maids-in-waiting
|
|-
|
|雲雨
|Yún Yǔ
|Yunyu
|
|Cloud and Rain
|
|-
|
|造父
|Zào Fù
|Zaofu
|
|Zao Fu
|
|-
|
|
|
|[[Zhang]]
|
|
|modern star name based on a Chinese original
|-
|
|丈人
|Zhàng Rén
|Zhangren
|
|Elderly Person
|
|-
|
|張宿
|Zhāng Xiù
|Zhangzun
|
|Extended Net Mansion
|
|-
|
|趙
|Zhào
|Zhao
|
|Zhao
|
|-
|
|招搖
|Zhāo Yáo
|Zhaoyao
|
|A Kind of Weapon, Sword or Spear
|
|-
|
|軫宿
|Zhěn Xiù
|Zhen
|
|Chariot Mansion
|
|-
|
|陣車
|Zhèn Chē
|Zhenche
|
|Battle Chariots
|
|-
|
|鄭
|Zhèng
|Zheng
|
|Zheng
|
|-
|
|折威
|Zhé Wēi
|Zhewei
|
|Warden
|
|-
|
|織女
|Zhī Nǚ
|Zhinu
|
|Weaving Girl
|
|-
|
|中台
|Zhōng Tái
|[[Zhongtai]]
|
|Middle Step
|
|-
|
|[[Zhou|周]]
|[[Zhou|Zhōu]]
|[[Zhou]]
|
|Zhou
|
|-
|
|周鼎
|Zhōu Dǐng
|Zhouding
|
|Tripod of the Zhou
|
|-
|
|柱
|Zhù
|Zhu
|
|Pillars
|
|-
|
|柱史
|Zhù Xià Shǐ
|Zhu Xia Shi
|
|Officer in Charge of Public Announcements
|
|-
|
|諸王
|Zhū Wáng
|Zhuwang
|
|Feudal Kings
|
|-
|
|觜宿
|Zī Xiù
|Zi
|
|Bird Beak Mansion
|
|-
|
|子
|Zǐ
|Zi
|
|Son
|
|-
|
|紫宮
|Zǐ Gōng
|[[Zigong]]
|
|Purple Palace
|
|-
|
|宗
|Zōng
|[[Zong]]
|
|Ancestors
|
|-
|
|宗人
|Zōng Rén
|[[Zongren]]
|
|Asistants of Zong Zheng
|
|-
|
|[[Zongzheng|宗正]]
|[[Zongzheng|Zōng Zhèng]]
|[[Zongzheng]]
|
|Official for Royal Clan
|
|-
|
|左更
|Zuó Gēng
|Zuogeng
|
|Official in Charge of Forest
|
|-
|
|左旗
|Zuǒ Qí
|Zuoqi
|
|Left Flag
|
|-
|
|座旗
|Zuò Qí
|Zuoqi
|
|Seat Flags
|
|-
|
|左攝提
|Zuǒ Shè Tí
|Zuosheti
|
|Left Conductor
|
|-
|
|左辖
|Zuǒ Xiá
|Zuoxia
|
|Left Linchpin
|
|}
[[Category:Overviews]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:East Asian]][[Category:Chinese]]
[[Category:Service]]

Chinese (All Terms)

2026-07-05T21:02:11Z

Boshunyang:

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
<div style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em;">
<youtube align=right>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Ml8wE3jSc</youtube>
</div>
=== Solar System Names ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Traditional Terms
!Pinyin
!Simplified
!Wade-Giles
!English
!commentary
|-
|日
|rì
|Ri
|
|Sun
|
|-
|月
|yuè
|[[Yue]]
|
|Moon
|
|-
|水星
|shuǐ xīng
|Shui Xing
|
|Mercury
|
|-
|金星
|jīn xīng
|Jin Ying
|
|Venus
|
|-
|火星
|huǒ xīng
|Huo Xing
|
|Mars
|
|-
|木星
|mù xīng
|Mu Xing
|
|Jupiter
|
|-
|土星
|tǔ xīng
|Tu Xing
|
|Saturn
|
|}

=== Here is an overview on all Chinese constellation names ===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Constellation Names
! colspan="3" |Romanisation
!English
!commentary
|-
!Classical
!Simplified
!Pinyin
!Simplified
!Wade-Giles
!
!
|-
|
|八穀
|Bā Gǔ
|[[Bagu]]
|
|Eight Kinds of Crops
|
|-
|
|敗瓜
|Bài Guā
|Baigua
|
|Rotten Gourd
|
|-
|
|敗臼
|Bài Jiù
|Baijiu
|
|Decayed Mortar
|
|-
|
|八魁
|Bā Kuí
|Bakui
|
|Net [for Catching Animals]
|
|-
|
|北斗
|Běi Dǒu
|Beidou
|
|Northern Dipper
|
|-
|
|北河
|Běi Hé
|Beihei
|
|North River
|
|-
|
|北極
|Běi Jí
|Beiji
|
|North Pole
|
|-
|
|北落師門
|Běi Luò Shī Mén
|Beiluo Shimen
|
|North Gate of the Military Camp
|
|-
|
|壁宿
|Bì Xiù
|Bi
|
|Wall Mansion
|Dong Bi (Eastern Wall Mansion)
|-
|
|畢宿
|Bì Xiù
|[[Bixiu|Bi]]
|
|Net Mansion
|
|-
|
|鱉
|Biē
|Bie
|
|River Turtle
|
|-
|
|帛度
|Bó Dù
|[[Bodu]]
|
|Textile Ruler
|
|-
|
|策
|Cè
|[[Ce]]
|
|Whip
|
|-
|
|
|
|[[Cexing]]
|
|
|modern star name
|-
|
|常陳
|Cháng Chén
|Changchen
|
|Imperial Guards
|
|-
|
|長沙
|Chángshá
|Changsha
|
|Changsha
|
|-
|
|长垣
|Cháng Yuán
|Changyuan
|
|Long Wall
|
|-
|
|車府
|Chē Fǔ
|Chefu
|
|Yard for Chariots
|
|-
|
|車騎
|Chē Qí
|Cheqi
|
|Chariots and Cavalry
|
|-
|
|車肆
|Chē Sì
|Chesi
|
|Commodity Market
|
|-
|
|杵
|Chǔ
|Chu
|
|Pestle
|
|-
|
|楚
|Chǔ
|Chu
|
|Chu
|
|-
|
|傳舍
|Chuán Shè
|Chuanshe
|
|Guest House
|
|-
|
|芻蒿
|Chú Hāo
|Chuhao
|
|Hay
|
|-
|
|從官
|Cóng Guān
|Congguan
|
|Retinue
|
|-
|
|天皇大帝
|Tiān Huáng Dà Dì
|Dadi
|
|Great Emperor of Heaven
|
|-
|
|代
|Dài
|Dai
|
|Dai
|
|-
|
|大角
|Dà Jiǎo
|Dajiao
|
|Great Horn
|
|-
|
|大理
|Dà Lǐ
|Dali
|
|Chief Judge
|
|-
|
|大陵
|Dà Líng
|Daling
|
|Mausoleum
|
|-
|
|丹凤
|
|[[Danfeng]]
|
|
|modern star name that refers to a sacred (phoenix-like) bird in Chinese mythology
|-
|
|氐宿
|Dī Xiù
|Di
|
|Root Mansion
|
|-
|
|帝
|Dì
|Di
|
|Emperor
|
|-
|
|帝座
|Dì Zuò
|Dizuo
|
|Emperor's Seat
|
|-
|
|東甌
|Dōng Ōu
|Dongou
|
|Dong'ou
|
|-
|
|東次相
|Dōng Cì Xiàng
|Dong Cixiang
|
|Second Eastern Minister
|normally a name for del Vir (Minelauva)
|-
|
|東次將
|Dōng Cì Jiàng
|Dong Cijiang
|
|Second Eastern General
|normally a name for eps Vir (Vindemiatrix)
|-
|
|東上將
|Dōng Shàng Jiàng
|Dong Shangjiang
|
|First Eastern General
|normally a name for alf Com (Diadem)
|-
|
|東上相
|Dōng Shàng Xiàng
|Dong Shangxiang
|
|First Eastern Minister
|normally a name for gam Vir (Porrima)
|-
|
|東咸
|Dōng Xián
|Dongxian
|
|Eastern Door
|
|-
|
|斗宿
|Dǒu Xiù
|Dou
|
|Dipper Mansion
|
|-
|
|斗
|Dǒu
|Dou
|
|Measure for Grain
|
|-
|
|頓頑
|Dùn Wán
|Dunwan
|
|Jailer
|
|-
|
|伐
|Fá
|Fa
|
|Dagger of Shen
|
|-
|
|罰
|Fá
|Fa
|
|Fine
|
|-
|
|房宿
|Fáng Xiù
|[[Fang]]
|
|Room Mansion
|
|-
|
|墳墓
|Fén Mù
|Fenmu
|
|Tomb
|
|-
|
|輔
|Fǔ
|Fu
|
|Assistant
|normally a name for 80 UMa that is named Alcor
|-
|
|附耳
|Fù Ěr
|Fu'er
|
|Attached Ear
|
|-
|
|扶筐
|Fú Kuāng
|Fukuang
|
|Basket for Mulberry Leaves
|
|-
|
|附路
|Fù Lù
|[[Fulu]]
|
|Auxiliary Road
|
|-
|
|
|
|Furen
|
|
|see [[Wei]]
|-
|
|傅說
|Fù Yuè
|[[Fuyue]]
|
|Fu Yue
|
|-
|
|鈇锧
|Fū Zhì
|Fuzhi
|
|Executioner’s Axe and Block
|
|-
|
|蓋屋
|Gài Wū
|Gaiwu
|
|Roofing
|
|-
|
|槓
|Gàng
|[[Gang]]
|
|Canopy Shaft
|
|-
|
|閣道
|Gé Dào
|Gedao
|
|Flying Corridor
|
|-
|
|梗河
|Gěng Hé
|Genghe
|
|Celestial Shield or Lance
|
|-
|
|鈎
|Gōu
|Gou
|
|Hook
|
|-
|
|狗
|Gǒu
|Gou
|
|Dog
|
|-
|
|勾陳
|Gōu Chén
|Gouchen
|
|Curved Array
|
|-
|
|狗國
|Gǒu Guó
|Gougou
|
|Territory of Dogs
|
|-
|
|鈎鈐
|Gōu Yín
|Gouyin
|
|Lock
|
|-
|
|爟
|Guàn
|Guan
|
|Beacon Fire
|
|-
|
|貫索
|Guàn Suǒ
|[[Guansuo]]
|
|Coiled Throng
|
|-
|
|龜
|Guī
|Gui
|
|Tortoise
|
|-
|
|鬼宿
|Guǐ Xiù
|Gui
|
|Ghosts Mansion
|
|-
|
|鼓旗
|Gŭ Qí
|[[Guqi]]
|
|Drum Flag
|
|-
|
|韓
|Hán
|Han
|
|Han
|
|-
|
|河鼓
|Hé Gǔ
|Hegu
|
|Drum at the River
|
|-
|
|衡
|[[Heng|Héng]]
|[[Heng]]
|
|Purlin
|
|-
|
|候
|Hòu
|Hou
|
|Astrologer
|
|-
|
|後宮
|Hòu Gōng
|Hougong
|
|Imperial Harem
|
|-
|
|斛
|Hú
|Hu
|
|Square Box for Measuring
|
|-
|
|華蓋
|Huá Gài
|[[Huagai]]
|
|Canopy of the Emperor
|
|-
|
|宦者
|Huàn Zhě
|[[Huanzhe]]
|
|Eunuch Official
|
|-
|
|虎賁
|Hǔ Bēn
|Huben
|
|Emperor's Bodyguard
|
|-
|
|瓠瓜
|Hù Guā
|Hugua
|
|Gourd
|
|-
|
|弧矢
|Hú Shǐ
|Hushi
|
|Bow and Arrow
|
|-
|
|箕宿
|Jī Xiù
|Ji
|
|Winnowing Basket Mansion
|
|-
|
|建
|Jiàn
|Jian
|
|Erect
|
|-
|
|鍵閉
|Jiàn Bì
|Jianbi
|
|Door Bolt
|
|-
|
|漸臺
|Jiàn Tái
|[[Jiantai]]
|
|Clepsydra Terrace
|
|-
|
|角宿
|Jiǎo Xiù
|Jiao
|
|Horn Mansion
|
|-
|
|晉
|Jìn
|Jin
|
|Jin
|
|-
|
|井宿
|Jǐng Xiù
|Jing
|
|Well Mansion
|
|-
|
|進賢
|Jìn Xián
|JinXian
|
|Recommending Virtuous Man
|
|-
|
|積屍
|Jī Shī
|Jishi
|
|Heaps of Corpses
|
|-
|
|積屍氣
|Jī Shī Qì
|Jishiqi
|
|Fog of Cumulative Corpses
|
|-
|
|積水
|Jī Shuǐ or
Jī Shǔi
|[[Jishui]]
|
|<nowiki>Accumulated Water in the Ship | </nowiki>
Stored Water to Make Wine
|
|-
|
|臼
|Jiù
|Jiu
|
|Mortar
|
|-
|
|九坎
|Jiǔ Kǎn
|Jiukan
|
|Nine Water Wells
|
|-
|
|酒旗
|Jiǔ Qí
|Jiuqi
|
|Banner of Wine Shop
|
|-
|
|九卿內座
|Jiǔ Qīng Nèi Zuò
|Jiuqing Neizuo
|
|Inner Seats for Nine Ministers
|
|-
|
|九斿
|Jiǔ Yóu
|Jiuyou
|
|Nine Flags
|
|-
|
|九州殊口
|Jiǔ Zhōu Shū Kǒu
|Jiuzhou Shukou
|
|Interpreters of Dialects
|
|-
|
|積薪
|Jī Xīn
|Jixin
|
|Pile of Firewood
|
|-
|
|積卒
|Jī Zú
|Jizu
|
|Group of Soldiers
|
|-
|
|卷舌
|Juǎn Shé
|Juanshe
|
|Rolled Tongue
|
|-
|
|軍井
|Jūn Jǐng
|Junjing
|
|Military Well
|
|-
|
|軍門
|Jūn Mén
|Junmen
|
|Military Gate
|
|-
|
|軍南門
|Jūn Nán Mén
|[[Junnanmen]]
|
|Southern Military Gate
|
|-
|
|軍市
|Jūn Shì
|Junshi
|
|Market for the Soldiers
|
|-
|
|糠
|Kāng
|Kang
|
|Chaff
|
|-
|
|亢宿
|[[Kang|Kàng Xiù]]
|[[Kang]]
|
|Neck Mansion
|
|-
|
|亢池
|Kàng Chí
|Kangchi
|
|Boats and Lake
|
|-
|
|開陽
|Kāi Yáng
|Kaiyang
|
|Opener of Heat
|normally a name for zeta UMa that is named Mizar. 83 UMa is the brighter one of two in the vicinity (it is a pulsating M-variable)
|-
|
|哭
|Kū
|Ku
|
|Crying
|
|-
|
|[[Kui|奎宿]]
|[[Kui|Kuí Xiù]]
|[[Kui]]
|
|Crotch Mansion
|
|-
|
|[[Kulou|庫樓]]
|[[Kulou|Kù Lóu]]
|[[Kulou]]
|
|Arsenal
|
|-
|
|狼
|Láng
|Lang
|
|Wolf
|
|-
|
|郎將
|Láng Jiàng
|Langjiang
|
|Captain of the Bodyguards
|
|-
|
|[[Langwei|郎位]]
|[[Langwei|Láng Wèi]]
|[[Langwei]]
|
|Official of the Imperial Guard
|
|-
|
|老人
|Lǎo Rén
|Laoren
|
|Old Man
|
|-
|
|壘壁陣
|Lěi Bì Zhèn
|Leibizhen
|
|Line of Ramparts
|
|-
|
|雷電
|Léi Diàn
|Leidian
|
|Thunder and Lightning
|
|-
|
|列肆
|Liè Sì
|Liesi
|
|Jewel Market
|
|-
|
|離宮
|Lí Gōng
|Ligong
|
|Resting Palace
|
|-
|
|靈台
|Líng Tái
|Lingtai
|
|Astronomical Observatory
|
|-
|
|礪石
|Lì Shí
|Lishi
|
|Grind Stone
|
|-
|
|柳宿
|Liǔ Xiù
|Liu
|
|Willow Mansion
|
|-
|
|六甲
|Liù Jiǎ
|Liujia
|
|Six Jia
|
|-
|
|璃瑜
|Lí Yú
|Liyu
|
|Jade Ornament on Ladies' Wear
|
|-
|
|離珠
|Lí Zhū
|Lizhu
|
|Pearls on Ladies' Wear
|
|-
|
|婁宿
|Lóu Xiù
|Lou
|
|Basket Mansion
|
|-
|
|羅堰
|Luó Yàn
|Luoyan
|
|Networks of Dikes
|
|-
|
|昴宿
|Mǎo Xiù
|Mao
|
|Hairy Head Mansion
|
|-
|
|明堂
|Míng Táng
|Mingtang
|
|Cosmological Temple
|
|-
|
|南河
|Nán Hé
|Nanhe
|
|South River
|
|-
|
|南門
|Nán Mén
|Nanmen
|
|Southern Gate
|
|-
|
|內廚
|Nèi Chú
|Neichu
|
|Inner Kitchen
|
|-
|
|內階
|Nèi Jiē
|Neijie
|
|Inner Steps
|
|-
|
|內屏
|Nèi Píng
|Neiping
|
|Inner Screen
|
|-
|
|內平
|Nèi Píng
|Neiping
|
|Inner Judge
|
|-
|
|內五諸侯
|Nèi Wǔ Zhū Hóu
|Neiwu Zhuhou
|
|Five Lords of Heaven inside Taiwei
|
|-
|
|三公內座
|Sān Gōng Nèi Zuò
|Neizuo
|
|Inner Seats for three Excellencies
|
|-
|
|輦道
|Niǎn Dào
|[[Niandao]]
|
|Imperial Passageway
|
|-
|
|牛宿
|Niú Xiù
|Niu
|
|Ox Mansion
|
|-
|
|钮
|Nĭu
|Niu
|
|Pivot
|
|-
|
|農丈人
|Nóng Zhàng Rén
|Nong Zhangren
|
|Old Peasant
|
|-
|
|女宿
|Nǚ Xiù
|Nü
|
|Women Mansion
|
|-
|
|女床
|Nǚ Chuáng
|[[Nüchuang]]
|
|Woman's Bed
|
|-
|
|女史
|Nǚ Shǐ
|Nüshi
|
|Woman Officer in Charge of Time
|
|-
|
|霹靂
|Pī Lì
|Pili
|
|Thunderbolt
|
|-
|
|
|
|Pin
|
|
|see [[Wei]]
|-
|
|屏
|Píng
|[[Ping]]
|
|Screen
|
|-
|
|平
|Píng
|Ping
|
|Judge
|
|-
|
|平道
|Píng Dào
|Pingdao
|
|Flat Road
|
|-
|
|齊
|Qí
|Qi
|
|Qi
|
|-
|
|泣
|Qì
|Qi
|
|Weeping
|
|-
|
|器府
|Qì Fǔ
|Qifu
|
|House for Musical Instruments
|
|-
|
|七公
|Qī Gōng
|[[Qigong]]
|
|Seven Excellencies
|
|-
|
|騎官
|Qí Guān
|Qiguan
|
|Cavalry Officers
|
|-
|
|秦
|Qín
|Qin
|
|Qin
|
|-
|
|青丘
|Qīng Qiū
|Qingqiu
|
|Green Hill
|
|-
|
|騎陣將軍
|Qí Zhèn Jiāng Jūn
|Qizhen Jiangjun
|
|Chariot and Cavalry General
|
|-
|
|闕丘
|Què Qiū
|Queqiu
|
|Two Buildings on both Sides of Palace Gate
|
|-
|
|人
|Rén
|Ren
|
|Humans
|
|-
|
|日
|Rì
|Ri
|
|Sun
|
|-
|
|三公
|Sān Gōng
|Sangong
|
|Three Excellencies
|
|-
|
|三台
|
|Santai
|
|Three Steps
|super-constellation of [[Shangtai]], [[Xiatai]] and [[Zhnogtai|Zhongtai]]
|-
|
|上丞
|Shàng Chéng
|[[Shangcheng and Shaocheng|Shangcheng]]
|
|The Great Imperial Minister
|modern star name
|-
|
|尚書
|Shàng Shū
|Shangshu
|
|Royal Secretary
|
|-
|
|上台
|Shàng Tái
|[[Shangtai]]
|
|Upper Step
|
|-
|
|上衛
|Shàng Wèi
|[[Shangwei]]
|
|The Great Imperial Guard
|modern star name
|-
|
|少丞
|Shào Chéng
|[[Shangcheng and Shaocheng|Shaocheng]]
|
|The Second Imperial Minister
|
|-
|
|[[Taimin and Shaomin|少民]]
|
|[[Taimin and Shaomin|Shaomin]]
|
|
|spelling variants: Shaoming = Shaomin = Tumin = Shangmin
|-
|
|少微
|Shào Wēi
|Shaowei
|
|Scholar-officials
|
|-
|
|少衛
|Shào Wèi
|[[Shaowei]]
|
|Imperial Second Guard
|modern star name
|-
|
|參宿
|Shēn Xiù
|Shen
|
|Three Stars Mansion
|
|-
|
|神宫
|Shén Gōnɡ
|[[Shengong]]
|
|Divine Palace
|
|-
|
|參旗
|Shēn Qí
|Shenqi
|
|Banner of Shen
|
|-
|
|勢
|Shì
|Shenqi
|
|Eunuch
|
|-
|
|矢
|Shǐ
|Shi
|
|Excrement
|
|-
|
|室宿
|Shì Xiù
|Shi
|
|Room Mansion
|
|-
|
|市樓
|Shì Lóu
|Shilou
|
|Market Tower
|
|-
|
|豕目
|
|[[Shimu]]
|
|Pig
|modern star name, based on a Neolithic Chinese constellation
|-
|
|水府
|Shǔi Fǔ
|Shuifu
|
|Water Official
|
|-
|
|水位
|Shǔi Wèi
|Shuiwei
|
|Waterlevel
|
|-
|
|庶子
|Shù Zǐ
|Shuzi
|
|Son of Concubine
|
|-
|
|四瀆
|Sì Dú
|Sidu
|
|Four Rivers
|
|-
|
|司非
|Sī Fēi
|Sifei
|
|Judge of Right and Wrong
|
|-
|
|四輔
|Sì Fǔ
|Sifu
|
|Four Advisors
|
|-
|
|司怪
|Sī Guài
|Siguai
|
|Deity in Charge of Omen
|
|-
|
|司祿
|Sī Lù
|Silu
|
|Judge of Rank
|
|-
|
|司命
|Sī Mìng
|Siming
|
|Judge of Life
|
|-
|
|司危
|Sī Wēi
|Siwei
|
|Judge of Disaster and Good Fortune
|
|-
|
|孫
|Sūn
|Sun
|
|Grandson
|
|-
|
|[[Taimin and Shaomin|太民]]
|
|[[Taimin and Shaomin|Taimin]]
|
|
|spelling variants: Taiming = Taimin = Daming
|-
|
|太微
|Tài Wēi
|Taiwei
|
|Supreme Court
|
|-
|
|太陽守
|Tài Yáng Shǒu
|[[Taiyangshou]]
|
|the General in charge of the yang valve
|
|-
|
|太一
|Tài Yī
|[[Taiyi]]
|
|Supreme One
|
|-
|
|太子
|Tài Zǐ
|Taizi
|
|Crown Prince
|this name designates gam UMi but this star is already named Pherkad (so we suggest the Chinese name for Pherkad Minor)
|-
|
|太尊
|Tài Zūn
|Taizun
|
|Royals
|
|-
|
|[[Tengshe|螣蛇]]
|[[Tengshe|Téng Shé]]
|[[Tengshe]]
|
|Flying Serpent
|
|-
|
|天棓
|Tiān Bàng
|[[Tianbang]]
|
|Celestial Club Weapon
|
|-
|
|天弁
|Tiān Biàn
|Tianbian
|
|Market Officer
|
|-
|
|天倉
|Tiān Cāng
|Tiancang
|
|Square Celestial Granary
|
|-
|
|天廁
|Tiān Cè
|Tiance
|
|Celestial Toilet
|
|-
|
|天讒
|Tiān Chán
|Tianchan
|
|Celestial Slander
|
|-
|
|天廚
|Tiān Chú
|Tianchu
|
|Celestial Kitchen
|
|-
|
|天船
|Tiān Chuán
|Tianchuan
|
|Celestial Boat
|
|-
|
|天床
|Tiān Chuáng
|Tianchuang
|
|Celestial Bed
|
|-
|
|天大將軍
|Tiān Dà Jiāng Jūn
|[[Tiandajiangjun|Tian Dajiangjun]]
|
|Celestial Grand General
|
|-
|
|天阿
|Tiān Ē
|Tiané
|
|Celestial Hillside
|
|-
|
|天輻
|Tiān Fú
|Tianfu
|
|Celestial Spokes
|
|-
|
|[[Tianfu|天桴]]
|[[Tianfu|Tiān Fú]]
|[[Tianfu]]
|
|Celestial Drumstick
|
|-
|
|天綱
|Tiān Gāng
|Tiangang
|
|Celestial Headrope
|
|-
|
|天高
|Tiān Gāo
|Tiangao
|
|Celestial High Terrace
|
|-
|
|天關
|Tiān Guān
|[[Tianguan]]
|
|Celestial Pass
|
|-
|
|天潢
|Tiān Huáng
|Tianhuang
|
|Celestial Pond
|
|-
|
|天溷
|Tiān Hùn
|Tianhun
|
|Celestial Pigsty
|
|-
|
|天紀
|Tiān Jì
|[[Tianji]]
|
|Celestial Discipline
|
|-
|
|天稷
|Tiān Jì
|Tianji
|
|Celestial Cereals
|
|-
|
|天璣
|Tiān Jī
|Tianji
|
|Celestial Shining Pearl
|
|-
|
|天記
|Tiān Jì
|Tianji
|
|Judge to Estimate the Age of Animals
|
|-
|
|天雞
|Tiān Jī
|Tianji
|
|Celestial Cock
|
|-
|
|天江
|Tiān Jiāng
|Tianjiang
|
|Celestial River
|
|-
|
|天街
|Tiān Jiē
|Tianjie
|
|Celestial Street
|
|-
|
|天節
|Tiān Jié
|Tianjie
|
|Celestial Mace
|
|-
|
|天津
|Tiān Jīn
|[[Tianjin]]
|
|Celestial Bridge
|
|-
|
|天廄
|Tiān Jiù
|Tianjiu
|
|Celestial Stable
|
|-
|
|天牢
|Tiān Láo
|Tianlao
|
|Celestial Prison
|
|-
|
|天壘城
|Tiān Lěi Chéng
|Tianleicheng
|
|Celestial Castle with Walls
|
|-
|
|天理
|Tiān Lǐ
|Tianli
|
|Judge for Nobility
|
|-
|
|天廩
|Tiān Lǐn
|Tianlin
|
|Celestial Foodstuffs
|
|-
|
|天門
|Tiān Mén
|Tianmen
|
|Celestial Gate
|
|-
|
|天廟
|Tiān Miào
|Tianmiao
|
|Celestial Ancestral Temple
|
|-
|
|天錢
|Tiān Qián
|Tianqian
|
|Celestial Coin
|
|-
|
|天槍
|Tiān Qiāng
|Tianqiang
|
|Celestial Spear
|
|-
|
|天權
|Tiān Quán
|Tianquan
|
|Celestial Balance
|normally a name for del UMa which is named Megrez ( so this name applied to a star closeby)
|-
|
|天囷
|Tiān Qūn
|Tianqun
|
|Circular Celestial Granary
|
|-
|
|天乳
|Tiān Rǔ
|Tianru
|
|Celestial Milk
|
|-
|
|天社
|Tiān Shè
|[[Tianshe]]
|
|Celestial Altar of the Earth Deity
|
|-
|
|天市
|Tiān Shì
|Tianshi
|
|Heavenly Market
|
|-
|
|天豕
|
|Tianshi
|
|Heavenly Pig
|alternative (older) name for [[Kui]]
|-
|
|天豕目
|
|[[Shimu|Tianshi Mu]]
|
|Eye of the Celestial Pig
|a star name in the Tianshi=Kui
|-
|
|天樞
|Tiān Shū
|Tianshu
|
|Celestial Pivot
|normally a name for alf UMa
|-
|
|
|
|[[Tiansi]]
|
|Celestial Quadriga
|modern star name
|-
|
|天田
|Tiān Tián
|Tiantian
|
|Celestial Farmland
|
|-
|
|天田
|Tiān Tián
|Tiantian
|
|Celestial Farmland
|
|-
|
|天相
|Tiān Xiàng
|Tianxiang
|
|Celestial Ministers
|
|-
|
|天璇
|Tiān Xuán
|TianXuan
|
|Celestial Rotating Jade
|normally a name for beta UMa (applied to a star closeby)
|-
|
|天一
|Tiān Yī
|[[Tianyi]]
|
|Celestial One
|
|-
|
|天陰
|Tiān Yīn
|Tianyin
|
|Celestial Yin Force
|
|-
|
|天庾
|Tiān Yǔ
|Tianyu
|
|Ricks of Grain
|
|-
|
|天淵
|Tiān Yuān
|Tianyuan
|
|Celestial Deep Water
|
|-
|
|天苑
|Tiān Yuàn
|Tianyuan
|
|Celestial Meadows
|
|-
|
|天園
|Tiān Yuán
|Tianyuan
|
|Celestial Orchard
|
|-
|
|天籥
|Tiān Yuè
|Tianyue
|
|Celestial Key
|
|-
|
|天柱
|Tiān Zhù
|Tianzhu
|
|Celestial Pillar
|
|-
|
|天樽
|Tiān Zūn
|Tianzun
|
|Celestial Wine Cup
|
|-
|
|土公
|Tǔ Gōng
|Tugong
|
|Official for Earthworks
|
|-
|
|土公吏
|Tǔ Gōng Lì
|Tugongli
|
|Clerk for Earthworks
|
|-
|
|屠肆
|Tú Sì
|[[Tusi]]
|
|Butcher's Shop
|
|-
|
|土司空
|Tǔ Sī Kōng
|Tusikong
|
|Master of Constructions
|
|-
|
|桐陵
|Tóng Líng
|[[Tongling]]
|
|Phoenix Tree Mound
|
|-
|
|外廚
|Wài Chú
|Waichu
|
|Outer Kitchen
|
|-
|
|外屏
|Wài Píng
|Waiping
|
|Outer Screen
|
|-
|
|王良
|Wáng Liáng
|[[Wangliang]]
|
|Wang Liang
|
|-
|
|尾宿
|Wěi Xiù
|[[Wei]]
|
|Tail Mansion
|
|-
|
|魏
|Wèi
|Wei
|
|Wei
|
|-
|
|危宿
|Wēi Xiù
|[[Wēi|Wei]]
|
|Rooftop Mansion
|
|-
|
|胃宿
|Wèi Xiù
|[[Wèi|Wei]]
|
|Stomach Mansion
|
|-
|
|文昌
|Wén Chāng
|Wenchang
|
|Administrative Centre
|
|-
|
|五車
|Wǔ Chē
|Wuche
|
|Five Chariots
|
|-
|
|五帝內座
|Wǔ Dì Nèi Zuò
|Wudi Neizuo
|
|Interior Seats of Five Emperors
|
|-
|
|五帝座
|Wǔ Dì Zuò
|Wudizuo
|
|Thrones of the Five Emperors
|
|-
|
|五諸侯
|Wǔ Zhū Hóu
|Wuzhuhou
|
|Five Feudal Kings
|
|-
|
|咸池
|Xián Chí
|Xianchi
|
|Sacrad Pool
|
|-
|
|相
|Xiàng
|Xiang
|
|Prime Minister
|
|-
|
|下台
|Xià Tái
|[[Xiatai]]
|
|Lower Step
|
|-
|
|
|
|[[Xihe]]
|
|
|modern star name
|-
|
|心宿
|Xīn Xiù
|Xin
|
|Heart Mansion
|
|-
|
|星宿
|Xīng Xiù
|Xing
|
|Seven Star Mansion
|
|-
|
|幸臣
|Xìng Chén
|Xingchen
|
|Officer of Honour
|
|-
|
|西咸
|Xī Xián
|Xixian
|
|Western Door
|
|-
|
|奚仲
|Xī Zhòng
|Xizhong
|
|Xi Zhong
|
|-
|
|虛宿
|Xū Xiù
|Xu
|
|Ruins Mansion
|
|-
|
|玄戈
|Xuán Gē
|[[Xuange]]
|
|Sombre Lance
|
|-
|
|[[Xuanyuan|軒轅]]
|[[Xuanyuan|Xuānyuán]]
|[[Xuanyuan]]
|
|Xuanyuan
|
|-
|
|虛梁
|Xū Liáng
|Xuliang
|
|Temple without Beams
|
|-
|
|燕
|Yān
|Yan
|
|Yan
|
|-
|
|陽門
|Yáng Mén
|Yangmen
|
|Gate of Yang
|
|-
|
|搖光
|Yáo Guāng
|Yaoguang
|
|Twinkling Brilliance
|normally a name for eta UMa but as this star is named Alkaid (applied to a star closeby)
|-
|
|野雞
|Yě Jī
|Yeji
|
|Wild Cockerel
|
|-
|
|謁者
|Yè Zhě
|Yezhe
|
|Usher of the Court
|
|-
|
|翼宿
|Yì Xiù
|Yi
|
|Wings Mansion
|
|-
|
|陰德
|Yīn Dé
|Yinde
|
|Hidden Virtue
|
|-
|
|右更
|Yòu Gēng
|Yougeng
|
|Official in Charge of Pasturing
|
|-
|
|右旗
|Yòu Qí
|Youqi
|
|Right Flag
|
|-
|
|右攝提
|Yòu Shè Tí
|Yousheti
|
|Right Conductor
|
|-
|
|右辖
|Yòu Xiá
|Youxia
|
|Right Linchpin
|
|-
|
|魚
|Yú
|Yu
|
|Fish
|
|-
|
|越
|Yuè
|Yue
|
|Yue
|
|-
|
|鉞
|Yuè
|Yue
|
|Battle Axe
|
|-
|
|月
|Yuè
|Yue
|
|Moon
|
|-
|
|玉衡
|Yù Héng
|Yuheng
|
|Jade Sighting-tube
|normally a name for eps UMa who is already named Alioth ( thus applied to a star closeby)
|-
|
|玉井
|Yù Jǐng
|Yujing
|
|Jade Well
|
|-
|
|羽林軍
|Yǔ Lín Jūn
|Yulinjun
|
|Royal Guards
|
|-
|
|[[Yunü|御女]]
|[[Yunü|Yù Nǚ]]
|[[Yunü]]
|
|Maids-in-waiting
|
|-
|
|雲雨
|Yún Yǔ
|Yunyu
|
|Cloud and Rain
|
|-
|
|造父
|Zào Fù
|Zaofu
|
|Zao Fu
|
|-
|
|
|
|[[Zhang]]
|
|
|modern star name based on a Chinese original
|-
|
|丈人
|Zhàng Rén
|Zhangren
|
|Elderly Person
|
|-
|
|張宿
|Zhāng Xiù
|Zhangzun
|
|Extended Net Mansion
|
|-
|
|趙
|Zhào
|Zhao
|
|Zhao
|
|-
|
|招搖
|Zhāo Yáo
|Zhaoyao
|
|A Kind of Weapon, Sword or Spear
|
|-
|
|軫宿
|Zhěn Xiù
|Zhen
|
|Chariot Mansion
|
|-
|
|陣車
|Zhèn Chē
|Zhenche
|
|Battle Chariots
|
|-
|
|鄭
|Zhèng
|Zheng
|
|Zheng
|
|-
|
|折威
|Zhé Wēi
|Zhewei
|
|Warden
|
|-
|
|織女
|Zhī Nǚ
|Zhinu
|
|Weaving Girl
|
|-
|
|中台
|Zhōng Tái
|[[Zhongtai]]
|
|Middle Step
|
|-
|
|[[Zhou|周]]
|[[Zhou|Zhōu]]
|[[Zhou]]
|
|Zhou
|
|-
|
|周鼎
|Zhōu Dǐng
|Zhouding
|
|Tripod of the Zhou
|
|-
|
|柱
|Zhù
|Zhu
|
|Pillars
|
|-
|
|柱史
|Zhù Xià Shǐ
|Zhu Xia Shi
|
|Officer in Charge of Public Announcements
|
|-
|
|諸王
|Zhū Wáng
|Zhuwang
|
|Feudal Kings
|
|-
|
|觜宿
|Zī Xiù
|Zi
|
|Bird Beak Mansion
|
|-
|
|子
|Zǐ
|Zi
|
|Son
|
|-
|
|紫宮
|Zǐ Gōng
|[[Zigong]]
|
|Purple Palace
|
|-
|
|宗
|Zōng
|[[Zong]]
|
|Ancestors
|
|-
|
|宗人
|Zōng Rén
|[[Zongren]]
|
|Asistants of Zong Zheng
|
|-
|
|[[Zongzheng|宗正]]
|[[Zongzheng|Zōng Zhèng]]
|[[Zongzheng]]
|
|Official for Royal Clan
|
|-
|
|左更
|Zuó Gēng
|Zuogeng
|
|Official in Charge of Forest
|
|-
|
|左旗
|Zuǒ Qí
|Zuoqi
|
|Left Flag
|
|-
|
|座旗
|Zuò Qí
|Zuoqi
|
|Seat Flags
|
|-
|
|左攝提
|Zuǒ Shè Tí
|Zuosheti
|
|Left Conductor
|
|-
|
|左辖
|Zuǒ Xiá
|Zuoxia
|
|Left Linchpin
|
|}
[[Category:Overviews]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:East Asian]][[Category:Chinese]]
[[Category:Service]]

Nandou

2026-07-05T20:05:48Z

Boshunyang: /* Identification of stars */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Nandou (南斗)}}

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
{{Infobox constellation
| name = Nandou (南斗)
| native = 南斗
| translation = Southern Dipper
| pronounce = Nándǒu
| IPA = /nan˧˥ toʊ˨˩˦/
| culture = Chinese
| RA = ... to ...
| dec = ... to ...
| areatotal = xx.xx
| numbermainstars = 6
| numberbfstars = 6
| numberstarsplanets =
| numberbrightstars = 3
| numbernearbystars =
| brighteststarname = σ Sgr
| starmagnitude = 2.07
| neareststarname =
| stardistance =
| numbermessierobjects =
| meteorshowers =
| bordering = Sgr
| notes =
| cat = constellation
}}
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper 南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation [[Sagittarius]]. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing Go is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely. <gallery widths="500" heights="300">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
File:Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty).jpg|'''Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty)'''
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<ref>Susanne M Hoffmann, Nikolaus Vogt, Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', Volume 494, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 5775–5786, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1162</nowiki></ref><blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).<gallery widths="400" heights="400">
File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|'''G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)<ref>Zhou P, Vink J, Li G, et al. G7. 7–3.7: A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)[J]. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2018, 865(1): L6.</ref>'''
</gallery></blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Identification
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Jian

2026-07-05T20:05:26Z

Boshunyang: /* Identification of stars */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Jian (建)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Jianxing in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''''Jian'' in Stellarium''']]
{{Infobox constellation
| name = Jiàn (建)
| native = 建
| translation = Erect
| pronounce = Jian
| IPA = /tɕjɛn˥˩/
| culture = Chinese
| RA = ... to ...
| dec = ... to ...
| areatotal = xx.xx
| numbermainstars = 6
| numberbfstars = 6
| numberstarsplanets =
| numberbrightstars = 1
| numbernearbystars =
| brighteststarname = π Sgr [[Albaldah]]
| starmagnitude = 2.88
| neareststarname =
| stardistance =
| numbermessierobjects =
| meteorshowers =
| bordering = Sgr
| notes =
| cat = constellation
}}
Jiàn (Erect, 建), also called Jianxing, is a six-star asterism belongs to the Shi tradition and is preserved with a determinative-star coordinate in the Shi star catalogue quoted in the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing''. It lies north of Nandou and corresponds to part of modern Sagittarius. Modern reconstructions usually take ξ² Sgr as the determinative star and identify the other members with ο Sgr, π Sgr, d Sgr, ρ¹ Sgr, and υ Sgr. It was in existence at least by the 4th century BC.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The primary meaning of ''jian'' 建 is “to set up” or “to erect,” as in raising a wooden pole or a flagstaff. It was later extended to mean “to establish,” “to institute,” or “to construct.” During the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods, Jian was used in one tradition as the eighth of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. At the same time, there also existed a parallel system in which this position was occupied by Dou 斗, and it was this latter system that gradually became the more widely accepted one in later periods. Since the region of Jian was regarded as the place where the Sun was located at the winter solstice, and since the winter solstice served as a crucial starting point for astronomical computation, Jian acquired special calendrical significance. It was therefore described as “the gate through which yin and yang begin and end” and as “the origin of the harmonic(which correspond closed to calendar) and the calendar.” Because Jian lies close to the ecliptic, the space between Nandou and Jian was understood as a route along which the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets travelled. For this reason, Jian was also known by such names as “Celestial Pass” (''Tianguan'' 天关) or “the metropolitan pass of Heaven” (''tian zhi duguan'' 天之都关).<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> A ''guan'' 关 was both a node of movement and a point of frontier control; consequently, Jian further came to evoke the symbolic world of flags, drums, and horses—objects associated with military mobilization and command. Its alternative name “Celestial Flag” (''Tianqi'' 天旗) may also be related to the original sense of ''jian'' as “raising” or “setting up” a banner. In sum, because of its long history and its important celestial position, Jian accumulated a rich range of meanings. The convergence and layering of these cultural associations transformed it into a highly conceptual asterism, one that brought together celestial location, planetary motion, calendrical beginnings, routes of passage, and the military-administrative order of the state. It may thus be understood as a symbol of order combining calendrical, transit, and politico-military meanings.

Jian also acquired other extended meanings. The ''Tianwen zhi'' of the ''Sui shu'' and the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing'' preserve an interpretation of its six-star structure: the two southern stars are the Celestial Storehouse; the two central stars are the Market, or alternatively the axe and execution block; and the two upper stars are the Flag. The statement in the ''Shiwei: Yadu lan'' 詩緯·雅度覽, “When the Jian stars move, labor will not cease,” clearly draws on another extended meaning of ''jian'', namely “to build” or “to undertake construction.”<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> This illustrates a common feature of astrological texts: the same asterism did not correspond to a single fixed object, but could carry several related and mutually transformable layers of meaning in different textual and divinatory contexts.

A prominent actual record involving Jianxing is the “guest star” of the ninth year of Yongping in the Later Han (66 CE). The text says that it emerged at Qianniu, was eight chi long, passed Jianxing, reached south of Fang, and disappeared after fifty days. 出牵牛，长八尺，历建星至房南，灭见至五十日<ref>''Hou Han shu'', Tianwen zhi</ref> Ho Peng Yoke lists it as no. 78 and treats it as a likely comet, probably related to Halley’s comet, because of its length, motion, and duration.<ref>Ho Peng Yoke, “Ancient and Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy 5 (1962)</ref>

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Modern Identification
|-
|1st (determinative)
|xi² Sgr
|-
|2nd
|omi Sgr
|-
|3rd
|pi Sgr
|-
|4th
|d Sgr
|-
|5th
|rho¹ Sgr
|-
|6th
|ups Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Jianxing on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Gezi yuejin tu.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Suzhou stat map.jpg|thumb|Jian on Suzhou stat map]]
|[[File:Jianxing and Nandou in Stellarium.png|thumb|Jian and Nandou in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Jian" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of historical comets that occurred near Jian. Since xi² Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to xi² Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-05T18:03:25Z

Boshunyang: /* Concordance, Etymology, History */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Nandou (南斗)}}

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
{{Infobox constellation
| name = Nandou (南斗)
| native = 南斗
| translation = Southern Dipper
| pronounce = Nándǒu
| IPA = /nan˧˥ toʊ˨˩˦/
| culture = Chinese
| RA = ... to ...
| dec = ... to ...
| areatotal = xx.xx
| numbermainstars = 6
| numberbfstars = 6
| numberstarsplanets =
| numberbrightstars = 3
| numbernearbystars =
| brighteststarname = σ Sgr
| starmagnitude = 2.07
| neareststarname =
| stardistance =
| numbermessierobjects =
| meteorshowers =
| bordering = Sgr
| notes =
| cat = constellation
}}
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper 南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation [[Sagittarius]]. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing Go is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely. <gallery widths="500" heights="300">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
File:Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty).jpg|'''Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty)'''
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<ref>Susanne M Hoffmann, Nikolaus Vogt, Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', Volume 494, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 5775–5786, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1162</nowiki></ref><blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).<gallery widths="400" heights="400">
File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|'''G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)<ref>Zhou P, Vink J, Li G, et al. G7. 7–3.7: A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)[J]. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2018, 865(1): L6.</ref>'''
</gallery></blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Jian

2026-07-05T08:46:04Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Jian (建)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Jianxing in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''''Jian'' in Stellarium''']]
Jiàn(Erect, 建), also called Jianxing, is a six-star asterism belongs to the Shi tradition and is preserved with a determinative-star coordinate in the Shi star catalogue quoted in the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing''. It lies north of Nandou and corresponds to part of modern Sagittarius. Modern reconstructions usually take ξ² Sgr as the determinative star and identify the other members with ο Sgr, π Sgr, d Sgr, ρ¹ Sgr, and υ Sgr. It was in existence at least by the 4th century BC.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The primary meaning of ''jian'' 建 is “to set up” or “to erect,” as in raising a wooden pole or a flagstaff. It was later extended to mean “to establish,” “to institute,” or “to construct.” During the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods, Jian was used in one tradition as the eighth of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. At the same time, there also existed a parallel system in which this position was occupied by Dou 斗, and it was this latter system that gradually became the more widely accepted one in later periods. Since the region of Jian was regarded as the place where the Sun was located at the winter solstice, and since the winter solstice served as a crucial starting point for astronomical computation, Jian acquired special calendrical significance. It was therefore described as “the gate through which yin and yang begin and end” and as “the origin of the harmonic(which correspond closed to calendar) and the calendar.” Because Jian lies close to the ecliptic, the space between Nandou and Jian was understood as a route along which the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets travelled. For this reason, Jian was also known by such names as “Celestial Pass” (''Tianguan'' 天关) or “the metropolitan pass of Heaven” (''tian zhi duguan'' 天之都关).<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> A ''guan'' 关 was both a node of movement and a point of frontier control; consequently, Jian further came to evoke the symbolic world of flags, drums, and horses—objects associated with military mobilization and command. Its alternative name “Celestial Flag” (''Tianqi'' 天旗) may also be related to the original sense of ''jian'' as “raising” or “setting up” a banner. In sum, because of its long history and its important celestial position, Jian accumulated a rich range of meanings. The convergence and layering of these cultural associations transformed it into a highly conceptual asterism, one that brought together celestial location, planetary motion, calendrical beginnings, routes of passage, and the military-administrative order of the state. It may thus be understood as a symbol of order combining calendrical, transit, and politico-military meanings.

Jian also acquired other extended meanings. The ''Tianwen zhi'' of the ''Sui shu'' and the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing'' preserve an interpretation of its six-star structure: the two southern stars are the Celestial Storehouse; the two central stars are the Market, or alternatively the axe and execution block; and the two upper stars are the Flag. The statement in the ''Shiwei: Yadu lan'' 詩緯·雅度覽, “When the Jian stars move, labor will not cease,” clearly draws on another extended meaning of ''jian'', namely “to build” or “to undertake construction.”<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> This illustrates a common feature of astrological texts: the same asterism did not correspond to a single fixed object, but could carry several related and mutually transformable layers of meaning in different textual and divinatory contexts.

A prominent actual record involving Jianxing is the “guest star” of the ninth year of Yongping in the Later Han (66 CE). The text says that it emerged at Qianniu, was eight chi long, passed Jianxing, reached south of Fang, and disappeared after fifty days. 出牵牛，长八尺，历建星至房南，灭见至五十日<ref>''Hou Han shu'', Tianwen zhi</ref> Ho Peng Yoke lists it as no. 78 and treats it as a likely comet, probably related to Halley’s comet, because of its length, motion, and duration.<ref>Ho Peng Yoke, “Ancient and Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy 5 (1962)</ref>

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
|1st (determinative)
|xi² Sgr
|-
|2nd
|omi Sgr
|-
|3rd
|pi Sgr
|-
|4th
|d Sgr
|-
|5th
|rho¹ Sgr
|-
|6th
|ups Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Jianxing on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Gezi yuejin tu.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Suzhou stat map.jpg|thumb|Jian on Suzhou stat map]]
|[[File:Jianxing and Nandou in Stellarium.png|thumb|Jian and Nandou in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Jian" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of historical comets that occurred near Jian. Since xi² Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to xi² Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Jian

2026-07-05T08:42:38Z

Boshunyang: /* Maps (Gallery) */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Jian (建)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Jianxing in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''''Jian'' in Stellarium''']]
Jiàn(Erect, 建) is a six-star asterism belongs to the Shi tradition and is preserved with a determinative-star coordinate in the Shi star catalogue quoted in the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing''. It lies north of Nandou and corresponds to part of modern Sagittarius. Modern reconstructions usually take ξ² Sgr as the determinative star and identify the other members with ο Sgr, π Sgr, d Sgr, ρ¹ Sgr, and υ Sgr. It was in existence at least by the 4th century BC.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The primary meaning of ''jian'' 建 is “to set up” or “to erect,” as in raising a wooden pole or a flagstaff. It was later extended to mean “to establish,” “to institute,” or “to construct.” During the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods, Jian was used in one tradition as the eighth of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. At the same time, there also existed a parallel system in which this position was occupied by Dou 斗, and it was this latter system that gradually became the more widely accepted one in later periods. Since the region of Jian was regarded as the place where the Sun was located at the winter solstice, and since the winter solstice served as a crucial starting point for astronomical computation, Jian acquired special calendrical significance. It was therefore described as “the gate through which yin and yang begin and end” and as “the origin of the harmonic(which correspond closed to calendar) and the calendar.” Because Jian lies close to the ecliptic, the space between Nandou and Jian was understood as a route along which the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets travelled. For this reason, Jian was also known by such names as “Celestial Pass” (''Tianguan'' 天关) or “the metropolitan pass of Heaven” (''tian zhi duguan'' 天之都关).<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> A ''guan'' 关 was both a node of movement and a point of frontier control; consequently, Jian further came to evoke the symbolic world of flags, drums, and horses—objects associated with military mobilization and command. Its alternative name “Celestial Flag” (''Tianqi'' 天旗) may also be related to the original sense of ''jian'' as “raising” or “setting up” a banner. In sum, because of its long history and its important celestial position, Jian accumulated a rich range of meanings. The convergence and layering of these cultural associations transformed it into a highly conceptual asterism, one that brought together celestial location, planetary motion, calendrical beginnings, routes of passage, and the military-administrative order of the state. It may thus be understood as a symbol of order combining calendrical, transit, and politico-military meanings.

Jian also acquired other extended meanings. The ''Tianwen zhi'' of the ''Sui shu'' and the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing'' preserve an interpretation of its six-star structure: the two southern stars are the Celestial Storehouse; the two central stars are the Market, or alternatively the axe and execution block; and the two upper stars are the Flag. The statement in the ''Shiwei: Yadu lan'' 詩緯·雅度覽, “When the Jian stars move, labor will not cease,” clearly draws on another extended meaning of ''jian'', namely “to build” or “to undertake construction.”<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> This illustrates a common feature of astrological texts: the same asterism did not correspond to a single fixed object, but could carry several related and mutually transformable layers of meaning in different textual and divinatory contexts.

A prominent actual record involving Jianxing is the “guest star” of the ninth year of Yongping in the Later Han (66 CE). The text says that it emerged at Qianniu, was eight chi long, passed Jianxing, reached south of Fang, and disappeared after fifty days. 出牵牛，长八尺，历建星至房南，灭见至五十日<ref>''Hou Han shu'', Tianwen zhi</ref> Ho Peng Yoke lists it as no. 78 and treats it as a likely comet, probably related to Halley’s comet, because of its length, motion, and duration.<ref>Ho Peng Yoke, “Ancient and Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy 5 (1962)</ref>

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
|1st
|xi² Sgr
|-
|2nd
|omi Sgr
|-
|3rd
|pi Sgr
|-
|4th
|d Sgr
|-
|5th
|rho¹ Sgr
|-
|6th
|ups Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Jianxing on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Gezi yuejin tu.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Suzhou stat map.jpg|thumb|Jian on Suzhou stat map]]
|[[File:Jianxing and Nandou in Stellarium.png|thumb|Jian and Nandou in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Jian

2026-07-05T08:40:38Z

Boshunyang: /* Maps (Gallery) */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Jian (建)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Jianxing in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''''Jian'' in Stellarium''']]
Jiàn(Erect, 建) is a six-star asterism belongs to the Shi tradition and is preserved with a determinative-star coordinate in the Shi star catalogue quoted in the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing''. It lies north of Nandou and corresponds to part of modern Sagittarius. Modern reconstructions usually take ξ² Sgr as the determinative star and identify the other members with ο Sgr, π Sgr, d Sgr, ρ¹ Sgr, and υ Sgr. It was in existence at least by the 4th century BC.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The primary meaning of ''jian'' 建 is “to set up” or “to erect,” as in raising a wooden pole or a flagstaff. It was later extended to mean “to establish,” “to institute,” or “to construct.” During the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods, Jian was used in one tradition as the eighth of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. At the same time, there also existed a parallel system in which this position was occupied by Dou 斗, and it was this latter system that gradually became the more widely accepted one in later periods. Since the region of Jian was regarded as the place where the Sun was located at the winter solstice, and since the winter solstice served as a crucial starting point for astronomical computation, Jian acquired special calendrical significance. It was therefore described as “the gate through which yin and yang begin and end” and as “the origin of the harmonic(which correspond closed to calendar) and the calendar.” Because Jian lies close to the ecliptic, the space between Nandou and Jian was understood as a route along which the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets travelled. For this reason, Jian was also known by such names as “Celestial Pass” (''Tianguan'' 天关) or “the metropolitan pass of Heaven” (''tian zhi duguan'' 天之都关).<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> A ''guan'' 关 was both a node of movement and a point of frontier control; consequently, Jian further came to evoke the symbolic world of flags, drums, and horses—objects associated with military mobilization and command. Its alternative name “Celestial Flag” (''Tianqi'' 天旗) may also be related to the original sense of ''jian'' as “raising” or “setting up” a banner. In sum, because of its long history and its important celestial position, Jian accumulated a rich range of meanings. The convergence and layering of these cultural associations transformed it into a highly conceptual asterism, one that brought together celestial location, planetary motion, calendrical beginnings, routes of passage, and the military-administrative order of the state. It may thus be understood as a symbol of order combining calendrical, transit, and politico-military meanings.

Jian also acquired other extended meanings. The ''Tianwen zhi'' of the ''Sui shu'' and the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing'' preserve an interpretation of its six-star structure: the two southern stars are the Celestial Storehouse; the two central stars are the Market, or alternatively the axe and execution block; and the two upper stars are the Flag. The statement in the ''Shiwei: Yadu lan'' 詩緯·雅度覽, “When the Jian stars move, labor will not cease,” clearly draws on another extended meaning of ''jian'', namely “to build” or “to undertake construction.”<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> This illustrates a common feature of astrological texts: the same asterism did not correspond to a single fixed object, but could carry several related and mutually transformable layers of meaning in different textual and divinatory contexts.

A prominent actual record involving Jianxing is the “guest star” of the ninth year of Yongping in the Later Han (66 CE). The text says that it emerged at Qianniu, was eight chi long, passed Jianxing, reached south of Fang, and disappeared after fifty days. 出牵牛，长八尺，历建星至房南，灭见至五十日<ref>''Hou Han shu'', Tianwen zhi</ref> Ho Peng Yoke lists it as no. 78 and treats it as a likely comet, probably related to Halley’s comet, because of its length, motion, and duration.<ref>Ho Peng Yoke, “Ancient and Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy 5 (1962)</ref>

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
|1st
|xi² Sgr
|-
|2nd
|omi Sgr
|-
|3rd
|pi Sgr
|-
|4th
|d Sgr
|-
|5th
|rho¹ Sgr
|-
|6th
|ups Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
!
|-
|[[File:Jianxing on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Gezi yuejin tu.jpg|thumb|Jian on ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Jianxing on Suzhou stat map.jpg|thumb|Jian on Suzhou stat map]]
|[[File:Jianxing and Nandou in Stellarium.png|thumb|Jian and Nandou in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

File:Jianxing in Stellarium.jpg

2026-07-05T08:38:14Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

File:Jianxing and Nandou in Stellarium.png

2026-07-05T08:38:02Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

File:Jianxing on Suzhou stat map.jpg

2026-07-05T08:37:48Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{PD-old}}

File:Jianxing on Gezi yuejin tu.jpg

2026-07-05T08:37:35Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{PD-old}}

File:Jianxing on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg

2026-07-05T08:37:23Z

Boshunyang: Boshunyang uploaded a new version of File:Jianxing on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg

== Licensing ==
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File:Jianxing on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg

2026-07-05T08:35:00Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{PD-old}}

Jian

2026-07-05T08:22:37Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Jian (建)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----

Jiàn(Erect, 建) is a six-star asterism belongs to the Shi tradition and is preserved with a determinative-star coordinate in the Shi star catalogue quoted in the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing''. It lies north of Nandou and corresponds to part of modern Sagittarius. Modern reconstructions usually take ξ² Sgr as the determinative star and identify the other members with ο Sgr, π Sgr, d Sgr, ρ¹ Sgr, and υ Sgr. It was in existence at least by the 4th century BC.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The primary meaning of ''jian'' 建 is “to set up” or “to erect,” as in raising a wooden pole or a flagstaff. It was later extended to mean “to establish,” “to institute,” or “to construct.” During the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods, Jian was used in one tradition as the eighth of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. At the same time, there also existed a parallel system in which this position was occupied by Dou 斗, and it was this latter system that gradually became the more widely accepted one in later periods. Since the region of Jian was regarded as the place where the Sun was located at the winter solstice, and since the winter solstice served as a crucial starting point for astronomical computation, Jian acquired special calendrical significance. It was therefore described as “the gate through which yin and yang begin and end” and as “the origin of the harmonic(which correspond closed to calendar) and the calendar.” Because Jian lies close to the ecliptic, the space between Nandou and Jian was understood as a route along which the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets travelled. For this reason, Jian was also known by such names as “Celestial Pass” (''Tianguan'' 天关) or “the metropolitan pass of Heaven” (''tian zhi duguan'' 天之都关).<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> A ''guan'' 关 was both a node of movement and a point of frontier control; consequently, Jian further came to evoke the symbolic world of flags, drums, and horses—objects associated with military mobilization and command. Its alternative name “Celestial Flag” (''Tianqi'' 天旗) may also be related to the original sense of ''jian'' as “raising” or “setting up” a banner. In sum, because of its long history and its important celestial position, Jian accumulated a rich range of meanings. The convergence and layering of these cultural associations transformed it into a highly conceptual asterism, one that brought together celestial location, planetary motion, calendrical beginnings, routes of passage, and the military-administrative order of the state. It may thus be understood as a symbol of order combining calendrical, transit, and politico-military meanings.

Jian also acquired other extended meanings. The ''Tianwen zhi'' of the ''Sui shu'' and the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing'' preserve an interpretation of its six-star structure: the two southern stars are the Celestial Storehouse; the two central stars are the Market, or alternatively the axe and execution block; and the two upper stars are the Flag. The statement in the ''Shiwei: Yadu lan'' 詩緯·雅度覽, “When the Jian stars move, labor will not cease,” clearly draws on another extended meaning of ''jian'', namely “to build” or “to undertake construction.”<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> This illustrates a common feature of astrological texts: the same asterism did not correspond to a single fixed object, but could carry several related and mutually transformable layers of meaning in different textual and divinatory contexts.

A prominent actual record involving Jianxing is the “guest star” of the ninth year of Yongping in the Later Han (66 CE). The text says that it emerged at Qianniu, was eight chi long, passed Jianxing, reached south of Fang, and disappeared after fifty days. 出牵牛，长八尺，历建星至房南，灭见至五十日<ref>''Hou Han shu'', Tianwen zhi</ref> Ho Peng Yoke lists it as no. 78 and treats it as a likely comet, probably related to Halley’s comet, because of its length, motion, and duration.<ref>Ho Peng Yoke, “Ancient and Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy 5 (1962)</ref>

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
|1st
|xi² Sgr
|-
|2nd
|omi Sgr
|-
|3rd
|pi Sgr
|-
|4th
|d Sgr
|-
|5th
|rho¹ Sgr
|-
|6th
|ups Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Jian

2026-07-05T08:20:58Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Jian (建) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----

Jiàn(Erect, 建) is a six-star asterism belongs to the Shi tradition and is preserved with a determinative-star coordinate in the Shi star catalogue quoted in the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing''. It lies north of Nandou and corresponds to part of modern Sagittarius. Modern reconstructions usually take ξ² Sgr as the determinative star and identify the other members with ο Sgr, π Sgr, d Sgr, ρ¹ Sgr, and υ Sgr. It was in existence at least by the 4th century BC.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The primary meaning of ''jian'' 建 is “to set up” or “to erect,” as in raising a wooden pole or a flagstaff. It was later extended to mean “to establish,” “to institute,” or “to construct.” During the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods, Jian was used in one tradition as the eighth of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. At the same time, there also existed a parallel system in which this position was occupied by Dou 斗, and it was this latter system that gradually became the more widely accepted one in later periods. Since the region of Jian was regarded as the place where the Sun was located at the winter solstice, and since the winter solstice served as a crucial starting point for astronomical computation, Jian acquired special calendrical significance. It was therefore described as “the gate through which yin and yang begin and end” and as “the origin of the harmonic(which correspond closed to calendar) and the calendar.” Because Jian lies close to the ecliptic, the space between Nandou and Jian was understood as a route along which the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets travelled. For this reason, Jian was also known by such names as “Celestial Pass” (''Tianguan'' 天关) or “the metropolitan pass of Heaven” (''tian zhi duguan'' 天之都关).<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> A ''guan'' 关 was both a node of movement and a point of frontier control; consequently, Jian further came to evoke the symbolic world of flags, drums, and horses—objects associated with military mobilization and command. Its alternative name “Celestial Flag” (''Tianqi'' 天旗) may also be related to the original sense of ''jian'' as “raising” or “setting up” a banner. In sum, because of its long history and its important celestial position, Jian accumulated a rich range of meanings. The convergence and layering of these cultural associations transformed it into a highly conceptual asterism, one that brought together celestial location, planetary motion, calendrical beginnings, routes of passage, and the military-administrative order of the state. It may thus be understood as a symbol of order combining calendrical, transit, and politico-military meanings.

Jian also acquired other extended meanings. The ''Tianwen zhi'' of the ''Sui shu'' and the ''Kaiyuan zhanjing'' preserve an interpretation of its six-star structure: the two southern stars are the Celestial Storehouse; the two central stars are the Market, or alternatively the axe and execution block; and the two upper stars are the Flag. The statement in the ''Shiwei: Yadu lan'' 詩緯·雅度覽, “When the Jian stars move, labor will not cease,” clearly draws on another extended meaning of ''jian'', namely “to build” or “to undertake construction.”<ref>''Kaiyuan zhanjing'', j. 65</ref> This illustrates a common feature of astrological texts: the same asterism did not correspond to a single fixed object, but could carry several related and mutually transformable layers of meaning in different textual and divinatory contexts.

A prominent actual record involving Jianxing is the “guest star” of the ninth year of Yongping in the Later Han (66 CE). The text says that it emerged at Qianniu, was eight chi long, passed Jianxing, reached south of Fang, and disappeared after fifty days. 出牵牛，长八尺，历建星至房南，灭见至五十日<ref>''Hou Han shu'', Tianwen zhi</ref> Ho Peng Yoke lists it as no. 78 and treats it as a likely comet, probably related to Halley’s comet, because of its length, motion, and duration.<ref>Ho Peng Yoke, “Ancient and Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy 5 (1962)</ref>

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
|1st
|xi² Sgr
|-
|2nd
|omi Sgr
|-
|3rd
|pi Sgr
|-
|4th
|d Sgr
|-
|5th
|rho¹ Sgr
|-
|6th
|ups Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Jian

2026-07-05T08:08:10Z

Boshunyang: Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Jian (建) > Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}} ---- Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China. == Concordance, Etymology, History == The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; becaus..."

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Jian (建) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----

Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing chess is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely. <gallery widths="500" heights="300">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
File:Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty).jpg|'''Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty)'''
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<ref>Susanne M Hoffmann, Nikolaus Vogt, Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', Volume 494, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 5775–5786, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1162</nowiki></ref><blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).<gallery widths="400" heights="400">
File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|'''G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)<ref>Zhou P, Vink J, Li G, et al. G7. 7–3.7: A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)[J]. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2018, 865(1): L6.</ref>'''
</gallery></blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-03T14:10:26Z

Boshunyang: /* Concordance, Etymology, History */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing chess is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely. <gallery widths="500" heights="300">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
File:Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty).jpg|'''Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty)'''
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<ref>Susanne M Hoffmann, Nikolaus Vogt, Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', Volume 494, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 5775–5786, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1162</nowiki></ref><blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).<gallery widths="400" heights="400">
File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|'''G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)<ref>Zhou P, Vink J, Li G, et al. G7. 7–3.7: A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)[J]. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2018, 865(1): L6.</ref>'''
</gallery></blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-03T14:09:53Z

Boshunyang: /* Concordance, Etymology, History */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing chess is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely. <gallery widths="500" heights="300">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
File:Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty).jpg
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<ref>Susanne M Hoffmann, Nikolaus Vogt, Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', Volume 494, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 5775–5786, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1162</nowiki></ref><blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).<gallery widths="400" heights="400">
File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|'''G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)<ref>Zhou P, Vink J, Li G, et al. G7. 7–3.7: A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)[J]. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2018, 865(1): L6.</ref>'''
</gallery></blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-03T14:09:00Z

Boshunyang: /* Concordance, Etymology, History */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing chess is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely. <gallery widths="500" heights="200">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<ref>Susanne M Hoffmann, Nikolaus Vogt, Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', Volume 494, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 5775–5786, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1162</nowiki></ref><blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).<gallery widths="400" heights="400">
File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|'''G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)<ref>Zhou P, Vink J, Li G, et al. G7. 7–3.7: A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)[J]. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2018, 865(1): L6.</ref>'''
</gallery></blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

File:Nandou in the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty).jpg

2026-07-03T14:08:41Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{PD-old}}

Nandou

2026-07-03T14:07:39Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing chess is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely.<gallery widths="500" heights="200">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<ref>Susanne M Hoffmann, Nikolaus Vogt, Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', Volume 494, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 5775–5786, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1162</nowiki></ref><blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).<gallery widths="400" heights="400">
File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|'''G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)<ref>Zhou P, Vink J, Li G, et al. G7. 7–3.7: A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)[J]. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2018, 865(1): L6.</ref>'''
</gallery></blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-03T14:03:51Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
[[File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|thumb|Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.]]
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.<gallery widths="300" heights="300">
File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|'''A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan'''
File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|'''A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei'''
</gallery>

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing chess is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely.<gallery widths="500" heights="200">
File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|'''Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side'''
</gallery>As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).[[File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|thumb|G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)]]</blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg

2026-07-03T14:03:37Z

Boshunyang: Boshunyang uploaded a new version of File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg

== Licensing ==
{{PD-old}}

Nandou

2026-07-03T13:54:23Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
[[File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg|thumb|A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan]]
[[File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg|thumb|A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei]]
[[File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|thumb|Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.]]
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing chess is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely.

As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).[[File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|thumb|G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)]]</blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-03T13:52:35Z

Boshunyang: /* Maps (Gallery) */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
[[File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|thumb|Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.]]
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing chess is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely.

As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).[[File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|thumb|G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)]]</blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr (determinative)
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |historical map
|-
|[[File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Nandou in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png|thumb|Nandou in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|[[File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg|thumb|Nandou in Suzhou Star Map]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Nandou" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. There are some Chinese celestial records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research. Since phi Sgr is the determinative star of it, then this name should be applied to phi Sgr.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-03T13:48:18Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|'''Nandou in Stellarium''']]
[[File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg|thumb|Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.]]
Nándǒu (Southern Dipper南斗), also called Dou Xiu, is the eighth of the Twenty-eight Lunar Lodges and the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise group. It consists of six stars in the modern constellation Sagittarius. It has existed at least 2500 years, is one of the oldest asterisms in China.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name Dou refers to a dipper, ladle, or measuring vessel; because this dipper lies in the southern part of the sky in contrast to Beidou, the Northern Dipper, it is called Nandou, the Southern Dipper.

In official astrological literature Nandou was not merely a vessel-shaped figure. Its member stars were interpreted as a Celestial Temple, Heavenly Storehouse, Heavenly Treasury, celestial gate, imperial banner, and administrative pivot. The material image of a dipper was therefore reinterpretated as a wider symbolic system of imperial administration. This asterism was also regarded by some people as governing ranks, emoluments, lifespan, and military affairs.

In later popular and Daoist contexts, Nandou acquired the symbolic role of governing life or birth, paired with Beidou as governing death. Tombstone portraits unearthed from archaeological excavations often depict the scene of the Southern Dipper paired with the Northern Dipper. The story in ''Soushen ji'', juan 3, about Guan Lu管辂 seeing two old men playing chess is often summarized as "the Northern Dipper registers death, the Southern Dipper registers life." This differs from the early institutional astrology of the Twenty-eight Lodges, but it possibly shows the older association of Nandou with the allotted lifespan was reorganized in medieval and later religious imagination, or conversely.

As a lunar mansion, Nandou often served as a positional reference in records of unusual celestial phenomena.

One of the most important records is considered by some scholars to be the guest star record of SN 386.<blockquote>"Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, 11th year of the Taiyuan reign period, third month. There was a guest star in Nandou [LM8] that lasted until the 6th month (Jul 13 to Aug 10), when it disappeared"太元十一年三月，客星在南斗，至六月乃没。 (Jin shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 13; Song shu, Tianwen zhi, ch. 25 according to Xu, Pankenier, Jiang 2000[3]).[[File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg|thumb|G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386)]]</blockquote>In addition, there are some other records of suspected supernovae/novae that occurred near Nandou; due to the early age, there are no corresponding records elsewhere in the world. Therefore, Nandou has played an important role in astrophysical research.

=== Identification of stars ===
The modern identification of the six stars of Nandou is relatively stable: ζ, τ, σ, φ, μ, and λ Sagittarii. Historical catalogues describe the internal form as a bowl (kui) and a handle (bing or biao). The determinative star is the fourth star of the bowl, φ Sagittarii; while Tang astronomer Yixing also mentioned that in Han dynasty the first star of the bowl was used as determinative star. Because the direction of numbering differs among catalogues, the table below is arranged by traditional asterism position, with Yi Shitong's common numbering indicated in parentheses.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
! style="color: gray;" |Mordern Corspondance
|-
| 1st
| style="color: gray;" | zeta Sgr
|-
| 2nd
| style="color: gray;" | tau Sgr
|-
| 3rd
| style="color: gray;" | sigma Sgr
|-
|4th
| style="color: gray;" | phi Sgr
|-
|5th
|mu Sgr
|-
|6th
|gamma Sgr
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!historical map
!modern identification
(Yang 2023)
!same in Stellarium 24.4
|-
|
|
|
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 202x, the name of the historical constellation "xxx" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. ...

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

File:Nandou in Suzhou Star Map.jpeg

2026-07-03T13:48:02Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{PD-old}}

File:Nandou in Gezi yuejin tu.png

2026-07-03T13:47:46Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{PD-old}}

File:Nandou in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg

2026-07-03T13:44:22Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

File:A dou (a type of water scooping vessel) from the Shang Dynasty with a snake-shaped handle, housed in the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan,.jpg

2026-07-03T13:42:05Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

File:A dou (a type of rice measuring vessel) housed in the Li Hongzhang Memorial Hall in Hefei.jpg

2026-07-03T13:41:49Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

File:G7.7–3.7 A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386 CE (SN 386).jpg

2026-07-03T13:23:08Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

File:Rubbing of the Pictorial Stone Image of Four Symbols and Yellow Emperor (Eastern Han dynasty), Nandou is at the lest side.jpg

2026-07-03T13:22:55Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{PD-old}}

File:Nandou in Stellarium.jpg

2026-07-03T13:22:39Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

Nandou

2026-07-03T12:38:37Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----

[[File:Example.jpg|thumb|Image that shows the earliest map or drawing]]
[[File:Example.jpg|thumb|Image that shows the cultural object (e.g. in archaeological museum)]]
Chinese constellation.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
...

=== Identification of stars ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Traditional/Qing)
!style="color: gray;" |Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
!style="color: gray;" |Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981.</ref>
Based on catalogue in 18th century
!style="color: gray;" |Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. Fig 55.</ref>
based on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map
!style="color: gray;" |Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009. p435-443.</ref>
based on catalogues in Yuan dynasty
!style="color: gray;" |SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>
Han Dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 235-296.</ref>
before Tang dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1" />
Song Jingyou(1034)
|-
| 1st/4th
| style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
| x
| x
|-
| 2nd/3rd
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
| x
| x
|-
| 3rd/2nd
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
| x
| x
|-
|4th/1st
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
| x
| x
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!historical map
!modern identification
(Yang 2023)
!same in Stellarium 24.4
|-
|[[File:Kulou on the Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido Star Chart.jpg|alt=historical image of Kulou (Korea)|thumb|Kulou on the Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido Star Chart]]
|
|
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 202x, the name of the historical constellation "xxx" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. ...

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Nandou

2026-07-03T12:38:17Z

Boshunyang: Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) > {{distinguish| ... the other tent }} Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}} ---- Image that shows the earliest map or drawing Image that shows the cultural object (e.g. in archaeological museum) Chinese constellation. == Concordance, Etymology, History == ... === Identification of stars === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Star Names or Orders(Traditional/Qing) !style="color: gray;" |Ho PENG YOK..."

{{DISPLAYTITLE:}} < Nandou (南斗) >

{{distinguish| ... the other tent }}

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----

[[File:Example.jpg|thumb|Image that shows the earliest map or drawing]]
[[File:Example.jpg|thumb|Image that shows the cultural object (e.g. in archaeological museum)]]
Chinese constellation.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
...

=== Identification of stars ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Traditional/Qing)
!style="color: gray;" |Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
!style="color: gray;" |Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981.</ref>
Based on catalogue in 18th century
!style="color: gray;" |Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. Fig 55.</ref>
based on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map
!style="color: gray;" |Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009. p435-443.</ref>
based on catalogues in Yuan dynasty
!style="color: gray;" |SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>
Han Dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 235-296.</ref>
before Tang dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1" />
Song Jingyou(1034)
|-
| 1st/4th
| style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
| x
| x
|-
| 2nd/3rd
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
| x
| x
|-
| 3rd/2nd
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
| x
| x
|-
|4th/1st
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
|style="color: gray;" | x
| x
| x
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!historical map
!modern identification
(Yang 2023)
!same in Stellarium 24.4
|-
|[[File:Kulou on the Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido Star Chart.jpg|alt=historical image of Kulou (Korea)|thumb|Kulou on the Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido Star Chart]]
|
|
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 202x, the name of the historical constellation "xxx" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. ...

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sgr]]
[[Category:Star Name]]

Guqi

2026-06-19T16:33:05Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE: Guqi (鼓旗)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----

Gǔ Qí (Drum Flag, 鼓旗) is a Chinese asterism consisting of nine stars located in the modern constellation ''[[Aquila]]''. It originated no later than about 100 BCE and lies to the right of ''Hé Gǔ'' (Drum at the River, 河鼓).
== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
Drums and Flags were instruments used by ancient armies to transmit signals and direct combat. The ''Sunzi bingfa'' (''Art of War'', 孫子兵法) states:<blockquote>[[File:Gong-and-Drum Flag illustration from the 1621 (Tianqi 1) engraved edition of the Wubei zhi (AI-enhanced and annotated).png|thumb|'''Fig 1. Gong-and-Drum Flag illustration from the 1621 (Tianqi 1) printed edition of the ''Wubei zhi'' (AI-enhanced and annotated)''']]“The ''Military Regulations'' says: ‘If speech cannot be heard, use (metal) gongs and drums; if sight cannot reach, use banners and flags.’ Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are the means by which people’s eyes and ears are unified. When the troops are unified, the brave cannot advance alone and the timid cannot retreat alone—this is the method of employing the masses. Therefore, night battles rely on gongs and drums, and day battles on banners and flags, thereby transforming the soldiers’ senses.”[[File:Shang-dynasty bronze drum with divine-figure motif, in the collection of the Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum, Japan.jpg|thumb|'''Fig 2. Shang-dynasty bronze drum with divine-figure motif, in the collection of the Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum, Japan''']][[File:Mural from Tomb No. 1 at Beiyuan, Liaoyang, Liaoning Province (3rd century).jpg|thumb|'''Fig 3. Mural from Tomb No. 1 at Beiyuan, Liaoyang, Liaoning Province (3rd century)''']][[File:Line drawing of the Mural from Tomb No. 1 at Beiyuan, Liaoyang, Liaoning Province (3rd century), exhibited in the Liaoyang Museum.jpg|thumb|'''Fig 4. Line drawing of the Mural from Tomb No. 1 at Beiyuan, Liaoyang, Liaoning Province (3rd century), exhibited in the Liaoyang Museum.''' The flags are above Tower Pavilion.]]</blockquote>In the name He-Gu, ''Gu'' refers to the great war drum, while ''He'' denotes the Heavenly River (the Milky Way), indicating its position besides the Milky Way. The drum was not merely a musical instrument but a military command device and a means of encouraging morale: drums signaled attack, whereas metal gongs signaled withdrawal or defensive formation(Fig. 1). Archaeological proof indicates that drums had already existed at least by the Shang Dynasty (Fig. 2).

In Sima Qian(145 or 135 BCE - ?)’s ''Tianguan shu'' (''Book of Heaven Officials'', 天官書), only ''Hegu'' is mentioned and not the Flag, suggesting that the latter was added later. The name ''Gu-Qi'' implies a close association with ''Hegu'', and the Shi school treated the two as a related group of asterisms. However, ''Guqi'' was renamed ''Youqi'' (Right Flag, 右旗) in later times to maintain symmetry since the Gan school introduced the asterism ''[[Zuoqi]]'' (Left Flag, 左旗).

Ancient banners differed significantly from modern ones and were divided into multiple categories. In the pre-Qin (before 220 BCE) period, nine types were distinguished. The ''Zhōu lǐ'' (''Rites of Zhou'', 周禮) describes a system of nine banners (''jiǔ qí''):

(1) ''Cháng''常 (bearing the sun and moon),

(2) ''Qí''旂 (with intertwined dragons),

(3) ''Zhān''旜 (plain silk banner),

(4) ''Wù''物 (variegated silk),

(5) ''Qí''旗 (with bears and tigers),

(6) ''Yú''旟 (with birds),

(7) ''Zhào''旐 (with tortoise and serpent),

(8) ''Suì'' 旞 (with full feathers),

(9) ''Jīng'' (with split feathers)

The Han dynasty(202 BCE - 220 CE) system may have differed somewhat. Structurally, the “''Qí''旗” consisted of a pole (''gān''竿), the main cloth panel (''shān''縿), a long streamer (''yóu''斿) attached at the top , and a serrated fringe along the side edge. <ref>Sun Ji孙机. Handai wuzhi wenhua ziliao tushuo（xiuding ben）汉代物质文化资料图说（修订本）. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju. 2020. Pp. 187-191.</ref> A mural in the Beiyuan Han tomb at Liaoyang, Liaoning, depicts such flags mounted atop a tower pavilion (Fig 3 and Fig 4).

=== Identification of stars ===
In contrast to the bright and stable asterism Hegu, whose identification never changed, ''Guqi (Drum Flag)or Youqi'' (Right Flag) underwent several revisions. Nevertheless, it consistently included δ Aquilae as its most bright star and sometimes the determinative star.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
!Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981: 56-57.</ref>
Based on catalogue in 18th century
!Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. p220-226.</ref>
based on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map
!Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009. p435-443.</ref>
based on catalogues in Yuan dynasty
!SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>
Han Dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 261.</ref>
before Tang Dynasty
!Boshun Yang
Tang Dynasty(8th century)
!'''Boshun Yang<ref name=":1" />'''
Song Huangyou(1052)
|-
| 1st
| sigma Aql
| mu Aql
| del Aql
| sigma Aql
| mu Aql (determinative)
| mu Aql(determinative)
| mu Aql
|del Aql(determinative)
|-
| 2nd
| mu Aql
| sigma Aql
| sigma Aql
| del Aql
| sigma Aql
| sigma Aql
| sigma Aql
|mu Aql
|-
| 3rd
| del Aql
| del Aql
| upsilon Aql
| mu Aql
| 22 Aql
| del Aql
| del Aql
|sigma Aql
|-
|4th
| nu Aql
| nu Aql
| mu Aql
| 22 Aql
| del Aql
| nu Aql
| 23 Aql
|23 Aql
|-
|5th
|HIP 95886
|iota Aql
|22 Aql
|21 Aql
|21 Aql
|iota Aql
|nu Aql
|nu Aql
|-
|6th
|iota Aql
|HIP 96392
|iota Aql
|nu Aql
|23 Aql
|eta Aql
|iota Aql
|45 Aql
|-
|7th
|42 Aql
|42 Aql
|36 Aql
|iota Aql
|nu Aql
|theta Aql
|36 Aql
|iota Aql
|-
|8th
|kappa Aql
|kappa Aql
|26 Aql
|36 Aql
|iota Aql
|69 Aql
|42 Aql
|36 Aql
|-
|9th
|57 Aql
|56 Aql
|kappa Aql
|42 Aql
|36 Aql
|Hip 101345
|kappa Aql
|42 Aql
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!historical map
!modern identification
!same in Stellarium
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|'''Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido''''']]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi before Tang Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi before Tang Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium]]
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Gezi yuejin tu.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Tang Dynasty(8th Century) in Stellarium reconstructed by Boshun Yang.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Tang Dynasty(8th Century) in Stellarium reconstructed by Boshun Yang]]
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Xin yixiang fayao.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in ''Xin yixiang fayao'' Star Map]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty reconstructed by Pan Nai（2009）.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty reconstructed by Pan Nai（2009）]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty in Stellarium reconstructed by Pan Nai.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty in Stellarium reconstructed by Pan Nai]]
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Suzhou Star Map.jpg|thumb|'''Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Suzhou Star Map''']]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty in Stellarium reconstructed by Boshun Yang.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty in Stellarium reconstructed by Boshun Yang]]
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Yixiang kaocheng Star Map (18th century).jpeg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in ''Yixiang kaocheng'' Star Map (18th century)]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in 18th century reconstructed by YI Shitong（1981）.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in 18th century reconstructed by YI Shitong（1981）]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in 18th century in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in 18th century in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation Gǔ Qí (Drum Flag, 鼓旗), which is also called ''Youqi'' (Right Flag, 右旗), was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. Guqi ''(Drum Flag)or Youqi'' (Right Flag) underwent several revisions, nevertheless, it consistently included Delta Aquilae as its most bright star and sometimes the determinative star (There is an observed coordinate from 1052CE, in the middle picture of row 4 in the gallary above). So it is the best star for this constellation. If not available, mu Aquilae could be an alternative.

Decision: The IAU adopted the name Guqi for δ Aql on 18 June 2026.

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:East Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:IAU-Star Name]]

Guqi

2026-06-19T16:28:13Z

Boshunyang:

{{DISPLAYTITLE: Guqi (鼓旗)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----

Gǔ Qí (Drum Flag, 鼓旗) is a Chinese asterism consisting of nine stars located in the modern constellation ''[[Aquila]]''. It originated no later than about 100 BCE and lies to the right of ''Hé Gǔ'' (Drum at the River, 河鼓).
== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
Drums and Flags were instruments used by ancient armies to transmit signals and direct combat. The ''Sunzi bingfa'' (''Art of War'', 孫子兵法) states:<blockquote>[[File:Gong-and-Drum Flag illustration from the 1621 (Tianqi 1) engraved edition of the Wubei zhi (AI-enhanced and annotated).png|thumb|'''Fig 1. Gong-and-Drum Flag illustration from the 1621 (Tianqi 1) engraved edition of the ''Wubei zhi'' (AI-enhanced and annotated)''']]“The ''Military Regulations'' says: ‘If speech cannot be heard, use (metal) gongs and drums; if sight cannot reach, use banners and flags.’ Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are the means by which people’s eyes and ears are unified. When the troops are unified, the brave cannot advance alone and the timid cannot retreat alone—this is the method of employing the masses. Therefore, night battles rely on gongs and drums, and day battles on banners and flags, thereby transforming the soldiers’ senses.”[[File:Shang-dynasty bronze drum with divine-figure motif, in the collection of the Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum, Japan.jpg|thumb|'''Fig 2. Shang-dynasty bronze drum with divine-figure motif, in the collection of the Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum, Japan''']][[File:Mural from Tomb No. 1 at Beiyuan, Liaoyang, Liaoning Province (3rd century).jpg|thumb|'''Fig 3. Mural from Tomb No. 1 at Beiyuan, Liaoyang, Liaoning Province (3rd century)''']][[File:Line drawing of the Mural from Tomb No. 1 at Beiyuan, Liaoyang, Liaoning Province (3rd century), exhibited in the Liaoyang Museum.jpg|thumb|'''Fig 4. Line drawing of the Mural from Tomb No. 1 at Beiyuan, Liaoyang, Liaoning Province (3rd century), exhibited in the Liaoyang Museum.''' The flags are above Tower Pavilion.]]</blockquote>In the name He-Gu, ''Gu'' refers to the great war drum, while ''He'' denotes the Heavenly River (the Milky Way), indicating its position besides the Milky Way. The drum was not merely a musical instrument but a military command device and a means of encouraging morale: drums signaled attack, whereas metal gongs signaled withdrawal or defensive formation(Fig. 1). Archaeological proof indicates that drums had already existed at least by the Shang Dynasty (Fig. 2).

In Sima Qian(145 or 135 BCE - ?)’s ''Tianguan shu'' (''Book of Heaven Officials'', 天官書), only ''Hegu'' is mentioned and not the Flag, suggesting that the latter was added later. The name ''Gu-Qi'' implies a close association with ''Hegu'', and the Shi school treated the two as a related group of asterisms. However, ''Guqi'' was renamed ''Youqi'' (Right Flag, 右旗) in later times to maintain symmetry since the Gan school introduced the asterism ''[[Zuoqi]]'' (Left Flag, 左旗).

Ancient banners differed significantly from modern ones and were divided into multiple categories. In the pre-Qin (before 220 BCE) period, nine types were distinguished. The ''Zhōu lǐ'' (''Rites of Zhou'', 周禮) describes a system of nine banners (''jiǔ qí''):

(1) ''Cháng''常 (bearing the sun and moon),

(2) ''Qí''旂 (with intertwined dragons),

(3) ''Zhān''旜 (plain silk banner),

(4) ''Wù''物 (variegated silk),

(5) ''Qí''旗 (with bears and tigers),

(6) ''Yú''旟 (with birds),

(7) ''Zhào''旐 (with tortoise and serpent),

(8) ''Suì'' 旞 (with full feathers),

(9) ''Jīng'' (with split feathers)

The Han dynasty(202 BCE - 220 CE) system may have differed somewhat. Structurally, the “''Qí''旗” consisted of a pole (''gān''竿), the main cloth panel (''shān''縿), a long streamer (''yóu''斿) attached at the top , and a serrated fringe along the side edge. <ref>Sun Ji孙机. Handai wuzhi wenhua ziliao tushuo（xiuding ben）汉代物质文化资料图说（修订本）. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju. 2020. Pp. 187-191.</ref> A mural in the Beiyuan Han tomb at Liaoyang, Liaoning, depicts such flags mounted atop a tower pavilion (Fig 3 and Fig 4).

=== Identification of stars ===
In contrast to the bright and stable asterism Hegu, whose identification never changed, ''Guqi (Drum Flag)or Youqi'' (Right Flag) underwent several revisions. Nevertheless, it consistently included δ Aquilae as its most bright star and sometimes the determinative star.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
!Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981: 56-57.</ref>
Based on catalogue in 18th century
!Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. p220-226.</ref>
based on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map
!Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009. p435-443.</ref>
based on catalogues in Yuan dynasty
!SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>
Han Dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 261.</ref>
before Tang Dynasty
!Boshun Yang
Tang Dynasty(8th century)
!'''Boshun Yang<ref name=":1" />'''
Song Huangyou(1052)
|-
| 1st
| sigma Aql
| mu Aql
| del Aql
| sigma Aql
| mu Aql (determinative)
| mu Aql(determinative)
| mu Aql
|del Aql(determinative)
|-
| 2nd
| mu Aql
| sigma Aql
| sigma Aql
| del Aql
| sigma Aql
| sigma Aql
| sigma Aql
|mu Aql
|-
| 3rd
| del Aql
| del Aql
| upsilon Aql
| mu Aql
| 22 Aql
| del Aql
| del Aql
|sigma Aql
|-
|4th
| nu Aql
| nu Aql
| mu Aql
| 22 Aql
| del Aql
| nu Aql
| 23 Aql
|23 Aql
|-
|5th
|HIP 95886
|iota Aql
|22 Aql
|21 Aql
|21 Aql
|iota Aql
|nu Aql
|nu Aql
|-
|6th
|iota Aql
|HIP 96392
|iota Aql
|nu Aql
|23 Aql
|eta Aql
|iota Aql
|45 Aql
|-
|7th
|42 Aql
|42 Aql
|36 Aql
|iota Aql
|nu Aql
|theta Aql
|36 Aql
|iota Aql
|-
|8th
|kappa Aql
|kappa Aql
|26 Aql
|36 Aql
|iota Aql
|69 Aql
|42 Aql
|36 Aql
|-
|9th
|57 Aql
|56 Aql
|kappa Aql
|42 Aql
|36 Aql
|Hip 101345
|kappa Aql
|42 Aql
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!historical map
!modern identification
!same in Stellarium
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|'''Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido''''']]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi before Tang Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi before Tang Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium]]
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Gezi yuejin tu.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in ''Gezi yuejin tu'']]
|
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Tang Dynasty(8th Century) in Stellarium reconstructed by Boshun Yang.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Tang Dynasty(8th Century) in Stellarium reconstructed by Boshun Yang]]
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Xin yixiang fayao.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in ''Xin yixiang fayao'' Star Map]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty reconstructed by Pan Nai（2009）.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty reconstructed by Pan Nai（2009）]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty in Stellarium reconstructed by Pan Nai.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty in Stellarium reconstructed by Pan Nai]]
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Suzhou Star Map.jpg|thumb|'''Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Suzhou Star Map''']]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty in Stellarium reconstructed by Boshun Yang.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Song Dynasty in Stellarium reconstructed by Boshun Yang]]
|-
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in Yixiang kaocheng Star Map (18th century).jpeg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in ''Yixiang kaocheng'' Star Map (18th century)]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in 18th century reconstructed by YI Shitong（1981）.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in 18th century reconstructed by YI Shitong（1981）]]
|[[File:Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in 18th century in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Hegu, Guqi(Youqi) and Zuoqi in 18th century in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation Gǔ Qí (Drum Flag, 鼓旗), which is also called ''Youqi'' (Right Flag, 右旗), was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. Guqi ''(Drum Flag)or Youqi'' (Right Flag) underwent several revisions, nevertheless, it consistently included Delta Aquilae as its most bright star and sometimes the determinative star (There is an observed coordinate from 1052CE, in the middle picture of row 4 in the gallary above). So it is the best star for this constellation. If not available, mu Aquilae could be an alternative.

Decision: The IAU adopted the name Guqi for δ Aql on 18 June 2026.

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:East Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:IAU-Star Name]]

File:Gong-and-Drum Flag illustration from the 1621 (Tianqi 1) engraved edition of the Wubei zhi (AI-enhanced and annotated).png

2026-06-19T16:25:08Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

Tianbian

2026-05-24T20:06:29Z

Boshunyang: /* IAU Working Group on Star Names */

{{DISPLAYTITLE: Tianbian (天弁)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
Tiān Biàn (Market Officer, 天弁) is a traditional Chinese asterism close to the Celestial Market (''Tianshi'' 天市). It consists of nine stars and took shape within the Shi-school constellation system during the Western Han, at around 100 BCE. It lies in the modern constellations [[Scutum]] and [[Aquila]], in the Milky Way.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name “Tianbian” literally means “Celestial Cap.” The character bian 弁 denotes an ancient form of cap or ceremonial headgear, especially associated with officials and ritual dress.

The astrological meaning of Tianbian is the chief officer of the celestial marketplace. In the omenological tradition it supervised the rows of shops, prices, records, and market order. Together with such asterisms as Dou (Measure), Hou (Watcher), Zong (Clan), and Zongzheng (Director of the Imperial Clan), it formed part of the administrative and commercial imagery of the Celestial Market.

=== Identification of stars ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
!Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981.</ref>
Based on catalogue in 18th century
!Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. Fig 55.</ref>
based on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map
!Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009. p435-443.</ref>
based on catalogues in Yuan dynasty
!SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>
Han Dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 235-296.</ref>
before Tang dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1" />
Song Jingyou(1034)
|-
| 1st
| alpha Sct
| alpha Sct
| alpha Sct(determinative)
| alpha Sct
| alpha Sct(determinative)
| alpha Sct(determinative)
| alpha Sct
|-
| 2nd
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
|-
| 3rd
| epsilon Sct
| epsilon Sct
| HIP 92488
| epsilon Sct
| epsilon Sct
| epsilon Sct
| epsilon Sct
|-
|4th
| beta Sct
| beta Sct
| eta Sct
| HIP 91880
| R Sct
| R Sct
| R Sct
|-
|5th
|eta Sct
|eta Sct
|i Aql
|beta Sct
|beta Sct
|beta Sct
|beta Sct(determinative)
|-
|6th
|i Aql
|i Aql
|g Aql
|HIP 92202
|5 Sct
|eta Sct
|eta Sct
|-
|7th
|lambda Aql
|lambda Aql
|lambda Aql
|eta Sct
|eta Sct
|i Aql
|i Aql
|-
|8th
|h Aql
|h Aql
|HIP 94149
|i Aql
|i Aql
|lambda Aql
|lambda Aql
|-
|9th
|g Aql
|g Aql
|HIP 93580
|lambda Aql
|lambda Aql
|g Aql
|g Aql
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!historical map
!modern identification
!same in Stellarium
|-
|[[File:Tinabian in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Tinabian in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Tianbian before Tang Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang (2023).jpg|thumb|Tianbian before Tang Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang (2023)]]
|[[File:Tianbian before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Tianbian before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium]]
|-
|[[File:Tianbian on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map.jpg|thumb|Tianbian on ''Xinyixiangfayao'' Star Map]]
|[[File:Tianbian in Song dynasty reconstructed by Pan Nai（2009）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Song dynasty reconstructed by Pan Nai（2009）]]
|[[File:Tianbian in Song Dynasty (based on Pan Nai's reconstruction) in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Song Dynasty (based on Pan Nai's reconstruction) in Stellarium]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[File:Tianbian on Suzhou Star Map.jpg|thumb|Tianbian on Suzhou Star Map *This asterisms is incomplete on this star chart]]
|[[File:Tianbian in Song dynasty (1034) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Song dynasty (1034) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）]]
| rowspan="3" |[[File:Tianbian in Song dynasty in Stellarium (based on reconstructed by Boshun Yang).jpg|thumb|'''Tianbian in Song dynasty in Stellarium (based on reconstructed by Boshun Yang)''']]
|-
|[[File:Tianbian in Song dynasty (1052) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Song dynasty (1052) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）]]
|-
|[[File:Tianbian in Yuan dynasty (1360s) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Yuan dynasty (1360s) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）]]
|-
|[[File:Tianbian on Yixiangkaoxcheng Star Map (18th century).jpg|thumb|Tianbian on ''Yixiangkaoxcheng'' Star Map (18th century)

*This asterisms is incomplete on this star chart]]
|[[File:Tianbian in 18th century reconstructed by YI Shitong（1981）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in 18th century reconstructed by YI Shitong（1981）]]
|[[File:Tianbian in 18th century in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in 18th century in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 2026, the name of the historical constellation "Tianbian" was suggested to be used for alpha Sct in this constellation. This constellation took shape at least since 100 BCE, and alpha Sct is the oldest and most popular determinative star of it. Beta could be an alternative for it is another determinative star.

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sct]]
[[Category:Aql]]

Tianbian

2026-05-24T20:03:23Z

Boshunyang: /* Maps (Gallery) */

{{DISPLAYTITLE: Tianbian (天弁)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
Tiān Biàn (Market Officer, 天弁) is a traditional Chinese asterism close to the Celestial Market (''Tianshi'' 天市). It consists of nine stars and took shape within the Shi-school constellation system during the Western Han, at around 100 BCE. It lies in the modern constellations [[Scutum]] and [[Aquila]], in the Milky Way.

== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
The name “Tianbian” literally means “Celestial Cap.” The character bian 弁 denotes an ancient form of cap or ceremonial headgear, especially associated with officials and ritual dress.

The astrological meaning of Tianbian is the chief officer of the celestial marketplace. In the omenological tradition it supervised the rows of shops, prices, records, and market order. Together with such asterisms as Dou (Measure), Hou (Watcher), Zong (Clan), and Zongzheng (Director of the Imperial Clan), it formed part of the administrative and commercial imagery of the Celestial Market.

=== Identification of stars ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
!Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981.</ref>
Based on catalogue in 18th century
!Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. Fig 55.</ref>
based on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map
!Pan Nai<ref>Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009. p435-443.</ref>
based on catalogues in Yuan dynasty
!SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>
Han Dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 235-296.</ref>
before Tang dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1" />
Song Jingyou(1034)
|-
| 1st
| alpha Sct
| alpha Sct
| alpha Sct(determinative)
| alpha Sct
| alpha Sct(determinative)
| alpha Sct(determinative)
| alpha Sct
|-
| 2nd
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
| delta Sct
|-
| 3rd
| epsilon Sct
| epsilon Sct
| HIP 92488
| epsilon Sct
| epsilon Sct
| epsilon Sct
| epsilon Sct
|-
|4th
| beta Sct
| beta Sct
| eta Sct
| HIP 91880
| R Sct
| R Sct
| R Sct
|-
|5th
|eta Sct
|eta Sct
|i Aql
|beta Sct
|beta Sct
|beta Sct
|beta Sct(determinative)
|-
|6th
|i Aql
|i Aql
|g Aql
|HIP 92202
|5 Sct
|eta Sct
|eta Sct
|-
|7th
|lambda Aql
|lambda Aql
|lambda Aql
|eta Sct
|eta Sct
|i Aql
|i Aql
|-
|8th
|h Aql
|h Aql
|HIP 94149
|i Aql
|i Aql
|lambda Aql
|lambda Aql
|-
|9th
|g Aql
|g Aql
|HIP 93580
|lambda Aql
|lambda Aql
|g Aql
|g Aql
|}

=== Maps (Gallery) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!historical map
!modern identification
!same in Stellarium
|-
|[[File:Tinabian in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Tinabian in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Tianbian before Tang Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang (2023).jpg|thumb|Tianbian before Tang Dynasty reconstructed by Boshun Yang (2023)]]
|[[File:Tianbian before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Tianbian before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium]]
|-
|[[File:Tianbian on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map.jpg|thumb|Tianbian on ''Xinyixiangfayao'' Star Map]]
|[[File:Tianbian in Song dynasty reconstructed by Pan Nai（2009）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Song dynasty reconstructed by Pan Nai（2009）]]
|[[File:Tianbian in Song Dynasty (based on Pan Nai's reconstruction) in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Song Dynasty (based on Pan Nai's reconstruction) in Stellarium]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[File:Tianbian on Suzhou Star Map.jpg|thumb|Tianbian on Suzhou Star Map *This asterisms is incomplete on this star chart]]
|[[File:Tianbian in Song dynasty (1034) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Song dynasty (1034) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）]]
| rowspan="3" |[[File:Tianbian in Song dynasty in Stellarium (based on reconstructed by Boshun Yang).jpg|thumb|'''Tianbian in Song dynasty in Stellarium (based on reconstructed by Boshun Yang)''']]
|-
|[[File:Tianbian in Song dynasty (1052) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Song dynasty (1052) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）]]
|-
|[[File:Tianbian in Yuan dynasty (1360s) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in Yuan dynasty (1360s) reconstructed by Boshun Yang（2023）]]
|-
|[[File:Tianbian on Yixiangkaoxcheng Star Map (18th century).jpg|thumb|Tianbian on ''Yixiangkaoxcheng'' Star Map (18th century)

*This asterisms is incomplete on this star chart]]
|[[File:Tianbian in 18th century reconstructed by YI Shitong（1981）.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in 18th century reconstructed by YI Shitong（1981）]]
|[[File:Tianbian in 18th century in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Tianbian in 18th century in Stellarium]]
|}

== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
In 202x, the name of the historical constellation "xxx" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. ...

Decision: ...

==References ==
[[References (Chinese)]]

[[Category:Asterism ]]
[[Category:Constellation ]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
[[Category:Chinese ]]
[[Category:Sct]]
[[Category:Aql]]

File:Tianbian in 18th century in Stellarium.jpg

2026-05-24T19:55:36Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

File:Tianbian in Song Dynasty (based on Pan Nai's reconstruction) in Stellarium.jpg

2026-05-24T19:55:24Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

File:Tianbian in Song dynasty in Stellarium (based on reconstructed by Boshun Yang).jpg

2026-05-24T19:55:12Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}

File:Tianbian before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium.jpg

2026-05-24T19:54:56Z

Boshunyang:

== Licensing ==
{{cc-by-4.0}}