List of Chinese star names

Chinese star names (Chinese: , xÃÂ«ng mÃÂng) are named according to ancient Chinese astronomy and astrology. The sky is divided into star mansions (, xÃÂ«ng xiÃÂ¹, also translated as "lodges") and asterisms (, xÃÂ«ng guÃÂn). The ecliptic is divided into four sectors that are associated with the Four Symbols, guardians in Chinese mythology, and further into 28 mansions. Stars around the north celestial pole are grouped into three enclosures (, yuÃÂ¡n). The system of 283 asterisms under the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions was established by Chen Zhuo of the Three Kingdoms period, who synthesized ancient constellations and the asterisms created by early astronomers Shi Shen, Gan De and Wuxian. Since the Han and Jin dynasties, stars have been given reference numbers within their asterisms in a system similar to the Bayer or Flamsteed designations, so that individual stars can be identified. For example, Deneb (ÃÂ± Cyg) is referred to as (TiÃÂn JÃÂ«n SÃÂ¬, the Fourth Star of Celestial Ford).

In the Qing dynasty, Chinese knowledge of the sky was improved by the arrival of European star charts. Yixiang Kaocheng, compiled in mid-18th century by then deputy Minister of Rites Ignaz KÃÂ¶gler, expanded the star catalogue to more than 3000 stars. The newly added stars (, zÃÂng xÃÂ«ng) were named as (zÃÂng yÃÂ«, 1st added star), (zÃÂng ÃÂ¨r, 2nd added star) etc. For example, ÃÂ³ Cephei is referred to as (ShÃÂ o WÃÂ¨i ZÃÂng BÃÂ, 8th Added Star of Second Imperial Guard). Some stars may have been assigned more than one name due to the inaccuracies of traditional star charts.

While there is little disagreement on the correspondence between traditional Chinese and Western star names for brighter stars, many asterisms, in particular those originally from Gan De, were created primarily for astrological purposes and can only be mapped to very dim stars. The first attempt to fully map the Chinese constellations was made by Paul Tsuchihashi in late 19th century. In 1981, based on Yixiang Kaocheng and Yixiang Kaocheng Xubian, the first complete map of Chinese stars and constellations was published by Yi Shitong (Ã¤Â¼ÂÃ¤Â¸ÂÃ¥ÂÂ).

The list is based on Atlas Comparing Chinese and Western Star Maps and Catalogues by Yi Shitong (1981) and Star Charts in Ancient China by Chen Meidong (1996). In a few cases, meanings of the names are vague due to their antiquity. In this article, the translation by Hong Kong Space Museum is used.

Three Enclosures

Purple Forbidden Enclosure

The Purple Forbidden Enclosure ( ZÃÂ WÃÂi YuÃÂ¡n) occupies the region around the north celestial pole and represents the imperial palace. It corresponds to constellations Auriga, BoÃÂ¶tes, Camelopardalis, Canes Venatici, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Hercules, Leo Minor, Lynx, Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor.

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Supreme Palace Enclosure

The Supreme Palace Enclosure (, TÃÂ i WÃÂi YuÃÂ¡n) represents the imperial court. It corresponds to constellations Canes Venatici, Coma Berenices, Leo, Leo Minor, Lynx, Sextans, Ursa Major and Virgo.

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Heavenly Market Enclosure

The Heavenly Market Enclosure (, TiÃÂn ShÃÂ¬ YuÃÂ¡n) represents the emperor's realm. It corresponds to constellations Aquila, BoÃÂ¶tes, Corona Borealis, Draco, Hercules, Ophiuchus, Sagitta, Serpens and Vulpecula.

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Azure Dragon

Horn

The Horn mansion represents the Dragon's horns. It corresponds to constellations Centaurus, Circinus, Coma Berenices, Hydra, Lupus and Virgo.

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Neck

The Neck mansion represents the Dragon's neck. It corresponds to constellations BoÃÂ¶tes, Centaurus, Hydra, Libra, Lupus and Virgo. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Root

The Root mansion represents the Dragon's chest. It corresponds to constellations BoÃÂ¶tes, Centaurus, Hydra, Libra, Lupus, Serpens and Virgo. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Room

The Room mansion represents the Dragon's abdomen. It corresponds to constellations Libra, Lupus, Ophiuchus and Scorpius.

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Heart

The Heart mansion represents the Dragon's heart. It corresponds to constellations Lupus, Ophiuchus and Scorpius.

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Tail

The Tail mansion represents the Dragon's tail. It corresponds to constellations Ara, Ophiuchus and Scorpius.

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Winnowing Basket

The Winnowing Basket mansion is the last of the Azure Dragon mansions. It corresponds to constellations Ara, Ophiuchus and Sagittarius. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Black Turtle

Dipper

The Dipper mansion is the first of the Black Turtle mansions. It corresponds to constellations Aquila, Corona Australis, Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, Scutum and Telescopium. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Ox

The Ox mansion corresponds to constellations Aquila, Capricornus, Cygnus, Delphinus, Lyra, Microscopium, Sagitta, Sagittarius and Vulpecula. Its name derives from the Cowherd Star. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Girl

The Girl mansion corresponds to constellations Aquarius, Aquila, Capricornus, Cygnus, Draco and Delphinus. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Ruins

The Ruins mansion (also translated as Emptiness) corresponds to constellations Aquarius, Capricornus, Delphinus, Equuleus, Grus, Microscopium, Pegasus and Piscis Austrinus. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Rooftop

The Rooftop mansion corresponds to constellations Andromeda, Aquarius, Cepheus, Cygnus, Draco, Lacerta, Pegasus, Piscis Austrinus and Vulpecula. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Encampment

The Encampment mansion corresponds to constellations Andromeda, Aquarius, Capricornus, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cygnus, Lacerta, Pegasus, Pisces and Piscis Austrinus. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Wall

The Wall mansion corresponds to constellations Andromeda, Cetus, Pegasus and Pisces. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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White Tiger

Legs

The Legs mansion represents the tail of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Cetus, Pisces and Triangulum. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Bond

The Bond mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations Andromeda, Aries, Cetus, Fornax, Perseus, Pisces and Triangulum. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Stomach

The Stomach mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations Aries, Camelopardalis, Cetus, Eridanus, Perseus, Taurus and Triangulum. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Hairy Head

The Hairy Head mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations Aries, Cetus, Eridanus, Fornax, Perseus and Taurus. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Net

The Net mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations Auriga, Eridanus, Horologium, Lepus, Orion, Perseus and Taurus. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Turtle Beak

The Turtle Beak mansion represents the head of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations Auriga, Gemini, Lynx, Orion and Taurus. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Three Stars

The Three Stars mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations Columba, Eridanus, Lepus, Monoceros and Orion. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Vermilion Bird

The final seven mansions represents the Vermilion Bird, creature of the direction south and the element Fire.

Well

The Well Mansion corresponds to constellations Auriga, Cancer, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Carina, Columba, Gemini, Monoceros, Orion, Pictor, Puppis and Taurus.

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Ghosts

The Ghosts Mansion corresponds to constellations Cancer, Gemini, Hydra, Monoceros, Puppis, Pyxis and Vela.

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Willow

The Willow Mansion corresponds to constellations Cancer, Hydra and Leo. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Star

The Star Mansion corresponds to constellations Cancer, Hydra, Leo, Leo Minor, Lynx, Sextans. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Extended Net

The Extended Net Mansion corresponds to constellation Hydra. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Wings

The Wings Mansion corresponds to constellations Crater and Hydra. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Chariot

The Chariot Mansion corresponds to constellations Corvus, Crater, Hydra and Virgo. <div class="overflowbugx" style="overflow:auto;">

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Southern asterisms

Stars near the south celestial pole had not been catalogued in China until the arrival of western star charts. In the early 17th century, 23 new asterisms were designated during the compilation of the Chongzhen calendar.

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Individual stars with traditional names

Names listed above are all enumerations within the respective Chinese constellations. The following stars have traditional proper names.

Single star asterisms

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Proper names of individual stars

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Notes

References

List of Chinese star names

Three Enclosures

Purple Forbidden Enclosure

Supreme Palace Enclosure

Heavenly Market Enclosure

Azure Dragon

Horn

Neck

Root

Room

Heart

Tail

Winnowing Basket

Black Turtle

Dipper

Ox

Girl

Ruins

Rooftop

Encampment

Wall

White Tiger

Legs

Bond

Stomach

Hairy Head

Net

Turtle Beak

Three Stars

Vermilion Bird

Well

Ghosts

Willow

Star

Extended Net

Wings

Chariot

Southern asterisms

Individual stars with traditional names

Single star asterisms

Proper names of individual stars

See also

Notes

References