Chinese star names (
Chinese: , ''xīng míng'') are named according to ancient
Chinese astronomy
Astronomy in China has a long history stretching from the Shang dynasty, being refined over a period of more than 3,000 years. The Ancient China, ancient Chinese people have identified stars from 1300 BCE, as Chinese star names later categori ...
and
astrology
Astrology is a range of Divination, divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that propose that information about human affairs and terrestrial events may be discerned by studying the apparent positions ...
. The sky is divided into
star mansions (, ''xīng xiù'', also translated as "lodges") and asterisms (, ''xīng guān''). The
ecliptic
The ecliptic or ecliptic plane is the orbital plane of Earth's orbit, Earth around the Sun. It was a central concept in a number of ancient sciences, providing the framework for key measurements in astronomy, astrology and calendar-making.
Fr ...
is divided into four sectors that are associated with the
Four Symbols, guardians in
Chinese mythology
Chinese mythology () is mythology that has been passed down in oral form or recorded in literature throughout the area now known as Greater China. Chinese mythology encompasses a diverse array of myths derived from regional and cultural tradit ...
, and further into 28 mansions. Stars around the north celestial pole are grouped into three enclosures (, ''yuán''). The system of 283 asterisms under the
Three Enclosures and
Twenty-Eight Mansions
The Twenty-Eight Mansions (), also called or , are part of the Chinese constellations system. They can be considered as the equivalent to the Zodiac, zodiacal constellations in Western astronomy, though the Twenty-eight Mansions reflect the move ...
was established by
Chen Zhuo of the
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu dominated China from AD 220 to 280 following the end of the Han dynasty. This period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and followed by the Jin dynasty (266–420), Western Jin dyna ...
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
Bayer AG (English: , commonly pronounced ; ) is a German multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company and is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies and biomedical companies in the world. Headquartered in Leverkusen, Bayer' ...
or
Flamsteed designations, so that individual stars can be identified. For example,
Deneb (α Cyg) is referred to as (''Tiān Jīn Sì'', 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 Kögler, expanded the star catalogue to more than 3000 stars. The newly added stars (, ''zēng xīng'') were named as (''zēng yī'', 1st added star), (''zēng èr'', 2nd added star) etc. For example,
γ Cephei is referred to as (''Shào Wèi Zēng Bā'', 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 (伊世同).
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 ( ''Zǐ Wēi Yuán'') occupies the region around the
north celestial pole and represents the imperial palace. It corresponds to
constellations
A constellation is an area on the celestial sphere in which a group of visible stars forms a perceived pattern or outline, typically representing an animal, mythological subject, or inanimate object.
The first constellations were likely defin ...
Auriga,
Boötes
Boötes ( ) is a constellation in the northern sky, located between 0° and +60° declination, and 13 and 16 hours of right ascension on the celestial sphere. The name comes from , which comes from 'herder, herdsman' or 'plowman' (literally, 'o ...
,
Camelopardalis,
Canes Venatici,
Cassiopeia,
Cepheus,
Draco,
Hercules
Hercules (, ) is the Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures.
The Romans adapted the Gr ...
,
Leo Minor,
Lynx
A lynx ( ; : lynx or lynxes) is any of the four wikt:extant, extant species (the Canada lynx, Iberian lynx, Eurasian lynx and the bobcat) within the medium-sized wild Felidae, cat genus ''Lynx''. The name originated in Middle Engl ...
,
Ursa Major
Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation in the Northern Sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory. Its Latin name means "greater (or larger) bear", referring to and contrasting it with nearby Ursa M ...
, and
Ursa Minor.
Added Stars
Supreme Palace Enclosure
The
Supreme Palace Enclosure (, ''Tài Wēi Yuán'') represents the imperial court. It corresponds to constellations
Canes Venatici,
Coma Berenices,
Leo,
Leo Minor,
Lynx
A lynx ( ; : lynx or lynxes) is any of the four wikt:extant, extant species (the Canada lynx, Iberian lynx, Eurasian lynx and the bobcat) within the medium-sized wild Felidae, cat genus ''Lynx''. The name originated in Middle Engl ...
,
Sextans,
Ursa Major
Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation in the Northern Sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory. Its Latin name means "greater (or larger) bear", referring to and contrasting it with nearby Ursa M ...
and
Virgo
Virgo may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Virgo (film), a 1970 Egyptian film
* Virgo (character), several Marvel Comics characters
* Virgo Asmita, a character in the manga ''Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas''
* ''Virgo'' (album), by Virgo Four, ...
.
Added Stars
Heavenly Market Enclosure
The
Heavenly Market Enclosure (, ''Tiān Shì Yuán'') represents the
emperor's realm. It corresponds to constellations
Aquila,
Boötes
Boötes ( ) is a constellation in the northern sky, located between 0° and +60° declination, and 13 and 16 hours of right ascension on the celestial sphere. The name comes from , which comes from 'herder, herdsman' or 'plowman' (literally, 'o ...
,
Corona Borealis,
Draco,
Hercules
Hercules (, ) is the Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures.
The Romans adapted the Gr ...
,
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constellati ...
,
Sagitta
Sagitta is a dim but distinctive constellation in the northern sky. Its name is Latin for 'arrow', not to be confused with the significantly larger constellation Sagittarius 'the archer'. It was included among the 48 constellations listed by t ...
,
Serpens and
Vulpecula.
Added Stars
Azure Dragon
Horn
The
Horn mansion represents the
Dragon
A dragon is a Magic (supernatural), magical legendary creature that appears in the folklore of multiple cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but European dragon, dragons in Western cultures since the Hi ...
's horns. It corresponds to constellations
Centaurus
Centaurus () is a bright constellation in the southern sky. One of the 88 modern constellations by area, largest constellations, Centaurus was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one ...
,
Circinus,
Coma Berenices,
Hydra,
Lupus and
Virgo
Virgo may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Virgo (film), a 1970 Egyptian film
* Virgo (character), several Marvel Comics characters
* Virgo Asmita, a character in the manga ''Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas''
* ''Virgo'' (album), by Virgo Four, ...
.
Added Stars
Neck
The
Neck
The neck is the part of the body in many vertebrates that connects the head to the torso. It supports the weight of the head and protects the nerves that transmit sensory and motor information between the brain and the rest of the body. Addition ...
mansion represents the Dragon's neck. It corresponds to constellations
Boötes
Boötes ( ) is a constellation in the northern sky, located between 0° and +60° declination, and 13 and 16 hours of right ascension on the celestial sphere. The name comes from , which comes from 'herder, herdsman' or 'plowman' (literally, 'o ...
,
Centaurus
Centaurus () is a bright constellation in the southern sky. One of the 88 modern constellations by area, largest constellations, Centaurus was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one ...
,
Hydra,
Libra,
Lupus and
Virgo
Virgo may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Virgo (film), a 1970 Egyptian film
* Virgo (character), several Marvel Comics characters
* Virgo Asmita, a character in the manga ''Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas''
* ''Virgo'' (album), by Virgo Four, ...
.
Added Stars
Root
The
Root
In vascular plants, the roots are the plant organ, organs of a plant that are modified to provide anchorage for the plant and take in water and nutrients into the plant body, which allows plants to grow taller and faster. They are most often bel ...
mansion represents the Dragon's chest. It corresponds to constellations
Boötes
Boötes ( ) is a constellation in the northern sky, located between 0° and +60° declination, and 13 and 16 hours of right ascension on the celestial sphere. The name comes from , which comes from 'herder, herdsman' or 'plowman' (literally, 'o ...
,
Centaurus
Centaurus () is a bright constellation in the southern sky. One of the 88 modern constellations by area, largest constellations, Centaurus was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one ...
,
Hydra,
Libra,
Lupus,
Serpens and
Virgo
Virgo may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Virgo (film), a 1970 Egyptian film
* Virgo (character), several Marvel Comics characters
* Virgo Asmita, a character in the manga ''Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas''
* ''Virgo'' (album), by Virgo Four, ...
.
Added Stars
Room
The
Room
In a building or a ship, a room is any enclosed space within a number of walls to which entry is possible only via a door or other dividing structure. The entrance connects it to either a passageway, another room, or the outdoors. The space is ...
mansion represents the Dragon's abdomen. It corresponds to constellations
Libra,
Lupus,
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constellati ...
and
Scorpius.
Added Stars
Heart
The
Heart
The heart is a muscular Organ (biology), organ found in humans and other animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels. The heart and blood vessels together make the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrie ...
mansion represents the Dragon's heart. It corresponds to constellations
Lupus,
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constellati ...
and
Scorpius.
Added Stars
Tail
The
Tail
The tail is the elongated section at the rear end of a bilaterian animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage extending backwards from the midline of the torso. In vertebrate animals that evolution, evolved to los ...
mansion represents the Dragon's tail. It corresponds to constellations
Ara,
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constellati ...
and
Scorpius.
Added Stars
Winnowing Basket
The
Winnowing Basket mansion is the last of the Azure Dragon mansions. It corresponds to constellations
Ara,
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constellati ...
and
Sagittarius.
Added Stars
Black Turtle
Dipper
The
Dipper mansion is the first of the
Black Turtle mansions. It corresponds to constellations
Aquila,
Corona Australis,
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constellati ...
,
Sagittarius,
Scutum and
Telescopium.
Added Stars
Ox
The
Ox mansion corresponds to constellations
Aquila,
Capricornus,
Cygnus,
Delphinus,
Lyra,
Microscopium,
Sagitta
Sagitta is a dim but distinctive constellation in the northern sky. Its name is Latin for 'arrow', not to be confused with the significantly larger constellation Sagittarius 'the archer'. It was included among the 48 constellations listed by t ...
,
Sagittarius and
Vulpecula. Its name derives from the
Cowherd Star.
Added Stars
Girl
The
Girl mansion corresponds to constellations
Aquarius,
Aquila,
Capricornus,
Cygnus,
Draco and
Delphinus.
Added Stars
Ruins
The
Ruins mansion (also translated as Emptiness) corresponds to constellations
Aquarius,
Capricornus,
Delphinus,
Equuleus,
Grus,
Microscopium,
Pegasus and
Piscis Austrinus.
Added Stars
Rooftop
The
Rooftop mansion corresponds to constellations
Andromeda,
Aquarius,
Cepheus,
Cygnus,
Draco,
Lacerta,
Pegasus,
Piscis Austrinus and
Vulpecula.
Added Stars
Encampment
The
Encampment mansion corresponds to constellations
Andromeda,
Aquarius,
Capricornus,
Cassiopeia,
Cepheus,
Cygnus,
Lacerta,
Pegasus,
Pisces and
Piscis Austrinus.
Added Stars
Wall
The
Wall
A wall is a structure and a surface that defines an area; carries a load; provides security, shelter, or soundproofing; or serves a decorative purpose. There are various types of walls, including border barriers between countries, brick wal ...
mansion corresponds to constellations
Andromeda,
Cetus
Cetus () is a constellation, sometimes called 'the whale' in English. The Cetus (mythology), Cetus was a sea monster in Greek mythology which both Perseus and Heracles needed to slay. Cetus is in the region of the sky that contains other water- ...
,
Pegasus and
Pisces.
Added Stars
White Tiger
Legs
The
Legs mansion represents the tail of
White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations
Andromeda,
Cassiopeia,
Cetus
Cetus () is a constellation, sometimes called 'the whale' in English. The Cetus (mythology), Cetus was a sea monster in Greek mythology which both Perseus and Heracles needed to slay. Cetus is in the region of the sky that contains other water- ...
,
Pisces and
Triangulum.
Added Stars
Bond
The
Bond mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations
Andromeda,
Aries,
Cetus
Cetus () is a constellation, sometimes called 'the whale' in English. The Cetus (mythology), Cetus was a sea monster in Greek mythology which both Perseus and Heracles needed to slay. Cetus is in the region of the sky that contains other water- ...
,
Fornax
Fornax () is a constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere, partly ringed by the celestial river Eridanus (constellation), Eridanus. Its name is Latin for furnace. It was named by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1756. Forna ...
,
Perseus
In Greek mythology, Perseus (, ; Greek language, Greek: Περσεύς, Romanization of Greek, translit. Perseús) is the legendary founder of the Perseid dynasty. He was, alongside Cadmus and Bellerophon, the greatest Greek hero and slayer of ...
,
Pisces and
Triangulum.
Added Stars
Stomach
The
Stomach
The stomach is a muscular, hollow organ in the upper gastrointestinal tract of Human, humans and many other animals, including several invertebrates. The Ancient Greek name for the stomach is ''gaster'' which is used as ''gastric'' in medical t ...
mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations
Aries,
Camelopardalis,
Cetus
Cetus () is a constellation, sometimes called 'the whale' in English. The Cetus (mythology), Cetus was a sea monster in Greek mythology which both Perseus and Heracles needed to slay. Cetus is in the region of the sky that contains other water- ...
,
Eridanus,
Perseus
In Greek mythology, Perseus (, ; Greek language, Greek: Περσεύς, Romanization of Greek, translit. Perseús) is the legendary founder of the Perseid dynasty. He was, alongside Cadmus and Bellerophon, the greatest Greek hero and slayer of ...
,
Taurus and
Triangulum.
Added Stars
Hairy Head
The
Hairy Head mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations
Aries,
Cetus
Cetus () is a constellation, sometimes called 'the whale' in English. The Cetus (mythology), Cetus was a sea monster in Greek mythology which both Perseus and Heracles needed to slay. Cetus is in the region of the sky that contains other water- ...
,
Eridanus,
Fornax
Fornax () is a constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere, partly ringed by the celestial river Eridanus (constellation), Eridanus. Its name is Latin for furnace. It was named by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1756. Forna ...
,
Perseus
In Greek mythology, Perseus (, ; Greek language, Greek: Περσεύς, Romanization of Greek, translit. Perseús) is the legendary founder of the Perseid dynasty. He was, alongside Cadmus and Bellerophon, the greatest Greek hero and slayer of ...
and
Taurus.
Added Stars
Net
The
Net mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations
Auriga,
Eridanus,
Horologium,
Lepus,
Orion,
Perseus
In Greek mythology, Perseus (, ; Greek language, Greek: Περσεύς, Romanization of Greek, translit. Perseús) is the legendary founder of the Perseid dynasty. He was, alongside Cadmus and Bellerophon, the greatest Greek hero and slayer of ...
and
Taurus.
Added Stars
Turtle Beak
The
Turtle Beak mansion represents the head of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations
Auriga,
Gemini,
Lynx
A lynx ( ; : lynx or lynxes) is any of the four wikt:extant, extant species (the Canada lynx, Iberian lynx, Eurasian lynx and the bobcat) within the medium-sized wild Felidae, cat genus ''Lynx''. The name originated in Middle Engl ...
,
Orion and
Taurus.
Added Stars
Three Stars
The
Three Stars mansion represents the body of White Tiger. It corresponds to constellations
Columba
Columba () or Colmcille (7 December 521 – 9 June 597 AD) was an Irish abbot and missionary evangelist credited with spreading Christianity in what is today Scotland at the start of the Hiberno-Scottish mission. He founded the important abbey ...
,
Eridanus,
Lepus,
Monoceros
Monoceros ( Greek: , "unicorn") is a faint constellation on the celestial equator. Its definition is attributed to the 17th-century cartographer Petrus Plancius. It is bordered by Orion to the west, Gemini to the north, Canis Major to the s ...
and
Orion.
Added Stars
Vermilion Bird
The final seven mansions represents the
Vermilion Bird
The Vermilion Bird ( zh, c=朱雀, p=Zhūquè) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. According to Wuxing (Chinese philosophy), Wu Xing, the Taoism, Taoist five elemental system, it represents the Fire (Wu Xing), Fire element, ...
, creature of the direction south and the element Fire.
Well
The
Well Mansion corresponds to constellations
Auriga,
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...
,
Canis Major
Canis Major is a constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere. In the second century, it was included in Ptolemy's 48 constellations, and is counted among the 88 modern constellations. Its name is Latin for "greater dog" in contrast to C ...
,
Canis Minor,
Carina,
Columba
Columba () or Colmcille (7 December 521 – 9 June 597 AD) was an Irish abbot and missionary evangelist credited with spreading Christianity in what is today Scotland at the start of the Hiberno-Scottish mission. He founded the important abbey ...
,
Gemini,
Monoceros
Monoceros ( Greek: , "unicorn") is a faint constellation on the celestial equator. Its definition is attributed to the 17th-century cartographer Petrus Plancius. It is bordered by Orion to the west, Gemini to the north, Canis Major to the s ...
,
Orion,
Pictor,
Puppis and
Taurus.
Added Stars
Ghosts
The
Ghosts Mansion corresponds to constellations
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...
,
Gemini,
Hydra,
Monoceros
Monoceros ( Greek: , "unicorn") is a faint constellation on the celestial equator. Its definition is attributed to the 17th-century cartographer Petrus Plancius. It is bordered by Orion to the west, Gemini to the north, Canis Major to the s ...
,
Puppis,
Pyxis and
Vela.
Added Stars
Willow
The
Willow Mansion corresponds to constellations
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...
,
Hydra and
Leo.
Added Stars
Star
The
Star Mansion corresponds to constellations
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...
,
Hydra,
Leo,
Leo Minor,
Lynx
A lynx ( ; : lynx or lynxes) is any of the four wikt:extant, extant species (the Canada lynx, Iberian lynx, Eurasian lynx and the bobcat) within the medium-sized wild Felidae, cat genus ''Lynx''. The name originated in Middle Engl ...
,
Sextans.
Added Stars
Extended Net
The
Extended Net Mansion corresponds to constellation
Hydra.
Added Stars
Wings
The
Wings Mansion corresponds to constellations
Crater and
Hydra.
Added Stars
Chariot
The
Chariot Mansion corresponds to constellations
Corvus,
Crater,
Hydra and
Virgo
Virgo may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Virgo (film), a 1970 Egyptian film
* Virgo (character), several Marvel Comics characters
* Virgo Asmita, a character in the manga ''Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas''
* ''Virgo'' (album), by Virgo Four, ...
.
Added Stars
Southern asterisms
Stars near the south
celestial pole
The north and south celestial poles are the two points in the sky where Earth's axis of rotation, indefinitely extended, intersects the celestial sphere. The north and south celestial poles appear permanently directly overhead to observers at ...
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.
Added Stars
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
Proper names of individual stars
See also
*
Chinese star maps
Chinese star maps ( zh, s=星图, t=星圖, p=xīngtú) are usually directional or graphical representations of Chinese astronomy, Chinese astronomical alignments. Throughout the history of China, numerous star maps have been recorded. This page ...
*
List of Arabic star names
This is a list of Arabic star names. In Western astronomy, most of the accepted star names are Arabic, a few are Greek language, Greek and some are of unknown origin. Typically only bright stars have names.
History of Arabic star names
Very ol ...
Notes
References
{{Portal bar, Astronomy, Outer space
Chinese star names
Chinese star names
Stars
A star is a luminous spheroid of plasma held together by self-gravity. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked eye at night; their immense distances from Earth make them appear as fixed points of ...
Chinese star names