Celestial Events Recorded in Memoir of Ming Dynasty

MA Liping, LIU Ciyuan
National Time Service Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710600, China

Abstract: Over six thousand celestial events were recorded in the Memoir of Ming
Dynasty, which is the largest source of celestial events in ancient China except for
astronomical treatises of official histories. The density of these records is 38 accounts
per year before the reign of Zhengde, while it is only seven accounts per year after thereign of Jiajing. Nearly 3000 records, including solar and lunar eclipses, positions of
the Moon and planets, can be verified based on modern astronomical calculation
method. The error rate of the lunar or planetary approaches or occultations, 4.1%, isthe best of past dynasties.
1 Introduction
It has been a tradition that celestial events were observed and recorded in ancient China. These
celestial events, through the path of houbu “候簿” (record book of astronomical observation), rili
“日历” (record on emperor’s daily life), zouben “奏本” (memorial to the emperor), qiju zhu “起居注” (official imperial diaries), and shilu “实录” (memoir), eventually entered official history(Twenty-Four Histories). According to statistics, there were 15,292 records of celestial phenomena
in total contained in the Twenty-Four Histories before the Ming Dynasty (see Liu and Liu, 2014).
Expect for astronomical treatises of Twenty-Four Histories, there are few astronomical records
before the Ming Dynasty (see Liu, 2012a; Liu and Ma, 2013a, 2015). Since the mid-Ming Dynasty,
the practice of compiling local annals became very popular and quite a number of local annals
contain records of celestial events, which tend to focus on events that have a significant impact,
such as total solar eclipses, comets, and bolides. Compared with official records, they are vague
and unprofessional, having high error rates (see Liu and Zhuang, 1998; Ma, 2004). We call them“local records”. Some types of astronomical events are collected in the General Collection ofAncient Chinese Astronomical Records (Beijing Astronomical Observatory, 1988).
After one emperor died, the next emperor compiled a chronicle (memoir), known as shilu, forhim. Being different from previous dynasties, the memoirs of the Ming Dynasty have beenremained basically intact (collectively known as the Memoir of Ming Dynasty) so that we can get
more original, more detailed and a great amount than those of astronomical treatises of the Ming
Dynasty.

2 Astronomical Records in the Memoir of Ming Dynasty
The Memoirs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are basically complete, while the earlier Memoirs
before the Ming Dynasty rarely retained. There are 13 Memoirs of the Ming Dynasty. At present,
the most complete and popular one is the collative photocopy by the Institute of History andPhilology, Academia Sinica based on the red grid copy (红格抄本) collected in the Beijing
Library. The photocopy is also the basis of this work.

The Memoir of Ming Dynasty contains vast number of pages, including more than six thousandcelestial records. Except for astronomical treatises of official histories, the Ming Shilu is thelargest source of astronomical records in ancient China. Table 1 presents statistics of astronomicalrecords in the Memoir of Ming Dynasty. Words (the fourth column) are counted by ten thousandwords. Density (the fifth column) is that words divided by reigning years. Hence the fifth column
reflects density of general events.
Book Name
Taizu Shilu

Table 1: Statistics of Celestial Events in the Memoir of Ming Dynasty
Reigning
CosmicReign Title
Volumes Words Density
Years
EventsHongwu

257

31

801

25.8

Jianwen

↓

4

78

19.5

Taizong Shilu

Yongle

274

71.4

3.2

22

694

31.5

Renzong Shilu

Hongxi

10

9.0

9.0

1

141

↓

Xuanzong Shilu

XuandeZhengtong
JingtaiTianshun

115

74.9

7.5

10

807

86.2

361

206.7

14.8

29

1358

46.8

Xianzong Shilu

Chenghua

293

143.5

6.2

23

699

30.4

Xiaozong Shilu

Hongzhi

224

122.5

6.8

18

780

43.3

Wuzong Shilu

Zhengde

197

106.4

6.7

16

458

28.6

Shizong Shilu

Jiajing

566

261.2

5.8

45

307

6.8

Muzong Shilu

Longqing

70

48.8

8.1

6

55

9.2

Shenzong Shilu
Guangzong Shilu

Wanli

596

329.8

7.0

47

348

7.4

Taichang

8

6.8

6.8

1

7

↓

Xizong Shilu
Chongzhen Shilu

Tianqi

87

122.2

17.5

7

59

8.2

Chongzhen

17

11.0

0.7

17

33

1.9

Chongzhen

66

84.8

5.3

↑

↑

↑

277

6625

Yingzong Shilu

Chongzhen
Changbian
Total

107.1

1706.1

3.5

AnnualAverage

There is no statistical significance due to only one year during the reign of King Hongxi andTaichang, hence annual records of them are included in that of the following memoir.
As can be seen from Table 1, the Yingzong Shilu and Xizong Shilu have the highest density
concerning density of general events. Density of the Taizu Shilu and that of the Taizong Shilu are
relatively low. Densities of other Memoirs are roughly equal. Regarding astronomical records,
those before Wuzong have high recording densities, an annual average of 38 records. However, thenumber of astronomical records suddenly decreased from the reign of Jiajing Emperor, andcompletely lost appearance as simple and formulaic as general official records in the Chongzhen
Shilu and Chongzhen Changbian. In other words, there is no great change in density of general
events in the Memoir of Ming Dynasty, but the number of astronomical records has decreased
dramatically since the late Ming Dynasty when Jiajing Emperor began. Changes in compilingsystem of Memoirs and concept of historiographers compiling Memoirs should contribute to thisdecrease. As seen from the details of the Memoir of Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Astronomical
Bureau still works well in the late Ming Dynasty. Hence lots of astronomical events should berecorded. As far as deficiency of astronomical records in the reign of Chongzhen Emperor,
obviously warfare resulted in loss of data.
The Astronomical Data in the Ming Shilu compiled by Ho Peng-Yoke and Zhao Lingyang(1986) based on the red grid copy, brings great convenience to our work. While astronomical
events during the reign of the Chongzhen Emperor are not included in this book, Liu Ciyuan and
Liu Rui (1998) supplemented cosmic events according to same style based on the Chongzhen
Shilu and Chongzhen Changbian.
Classified statics of celestial events in the Ming Shilu are listed in Table 2.
Table 2. Classified Statics of Celestial Events in the Memoir of Ming Dynasty
Solar
Lunar
Moon O/A Moon O/A
PlanetPlanet O/A
PeriodEclipses Eclipses
Stars
Planets
O/A Stars
PlanetHongwu

16

23

171

12

178

18

Jianwen

0

0

14

0

18

0

Yongle

8

20

111

18

93

11

Hongxi

0

1

12

1

8

1

Xuande

3

9

70

8

60

5

Zhengtong

4

11

108

16

50

10

Jingtai

4

7

77

7

50

12

Tianshun

4

9

112

1

53

11

Chenghua

9

25

252

14

111

8

Hongzhi

7

19

266

15

110

12

Zhengde

6

12

136

4

54

4

Jiajing

17

34

59

13

49

10

Longqing

2

6

14

0

6

0

Wanli

18

45

43

10

55

14

Taichang

0

1

1

0

1

0

Tianqi

1

3

11

1

23

1

Chongzhen

6

6

0

1

8

0

Total

105

231

1457

121

927

117

PeriodMeteors/
Aerolites

Comets/
Guest
Stars

()

CloudyObscured
Hazes

Seeing Venus/
Jupiter in theDaytimeCanopus

OthersHongwu

194

27

7

74

42

0

46

Jianwen

45

0

0

0

1

0

0

Yongle

396

3

2

8

8

17

1

Hongxi

98

0

0

19

1

0

0

Xuande

516

16

7

102

7

1

10

Zhengtong

173

11

4

106

7

0

14

Jingtai

118

10

5

68

19

2

7

tianshun

156

24

4

73

18

3

3

Chenghua

164

21

2

59

25

0

11

Hongzhi

107

33

6

68

85

33

25

Zhengde

166

6

1

16

32

0

22

Jiajing

21

29

11

12

54

0

9

Longqing

6

6

2

4

7

0

4

Wanli

76

29

13

13

11

2

31

Taichang

1

0

0

3

0

0

0

Tianqi

7

2

2

5

5

0

0

Chongzhen

4

1

1

4

1

0

3

Total

2248

218

67

634

323

58

186

Notes: totally 6625 records; O/A means occulting or approaching.

Table 3 presents comparison of the number of celestial events between the early and late Ming
Dynasty. The ratio of annual average between the late period to the early period is 0.17.
Table 3: Comparison of the Number of Celestial Events Between the Early and Late Ming Dynasty
PeriodGregorian Calendar

Total Records

Annual Average

洪武元年—正德十六年

A.D. 1368 to 1521

5861

37.8

嘉靖元年—崇祯十七年

A.D. 1522 to 1644

123

6.6

The difference in annual average between the early and late Ming Dynasty is closely related to
types of celestial events according to comparison of annual number of astronomical records
between the early and late Ming Dynasty. Those being recorded most in past dynasties, such as
events of the Moon, planets, meteors and cloudy obscured hazes (yunqi), had been greatly
decreased in the late Ming Dynasty. The number of solar and lunar eclipses had basicallyremained the same. The number of comets records decreased, but the number of comets didn’t
decrease indicating that a decrease in the number of records of a comet, but the occurrences ofcomets was recorded.
Among the total 2622 records of the Moon and planets in the Memoir of Ming Dynasty, 107
records are error according to modern astronomical computational methods. The error rate is 4.1%.
Table 4 presents error rates of the Moon and planets positions recorded in past dynasties. The
relevant data originate from our statistics (see Liu, 2012a, 2012b, 2013, 2015b; Liu and Ma, 2013b;
Ma, 2013). Most of the wrong records can be judged by astronomical calculations and other books(see Liu, 2015a).
Table 4: Error Rates of Lunar and Planetary Records in Past Dynasties
DynastyHan, Wei, Jin

South

North

Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties

Song

Jin

Yuan

Ming

Records

655

640

706

612

5278

228

1476

2622

Error Rate

29

15

17

27

9.9

14

4.1

4.1

3 Various Clestial Events
Various celestial events were recorded in the Memoir of Ming Dynasty. Let us begin with solar andlunar eclipses.
3.1 Solar and Lunar Eclipses
In the Memoir of Ming Dynasty, there are 105 records of solar eclipses: 90 occurred in the capitaland 11 occurred in other place rather than in the capital; two occurred in other countries; the dateof one record was new moon while no eclipse occurred on that day; the date of another record was
not new moon. The calculation results show that there were 106 solar eclipses visible from thecapital, of which 90 were recorded. Besides, eight (different from the 90 records), mainly occurredin the late of the Ming Dynasty, were recorded in the History of Ming Dynasty. The missing eight
may not be predicted (at the same time they did not be seen) or the documents were lost.
One obvious feature of these eclipse records is particularly simple. The description, such as ji

“既”, can be found now and again in the historical eclipses. Nevertheless, there is no suchdescription in the Memoir of Ming Dynasty. In contrast, there are large quantities of more detailed
records of total solar eclipses and near-total eclipses in local records during the same period (Liu,Dou and Zhuang, 1998; Ma, 2004).
In order to discuss the accuracy of calculation and require changing calendar, a few solar
eclipses with more details of the late Ming Dynasty were recorded in the Memoir of Ming
Dynasty.
In the Memoir of Ming Dynasty, there are 231 records of lunar eclipses, including 8 yinyu
bujian “阴云不见” (eclipse was not seen due to clouds), 11 dangshi bushi “当食不食” (anexpectant eclipse didn’t occur), and 14 shiji “食既” (total eclipse). There are a dozen records withsimple location and time. Individual records are interesting and recorded in detail.
The calculation shows below the results: there are 190 lunar eclipses visible from the capital;
seven out of 190 differed by one day, which can be considered basically correct; eight occurred inother countries; 26 were penumbral eclipses; six are error. The records of lunar eclipses in the
Ming Dynasty, between the beginning of Ming Dynasty and the early year of Tianqi (A.D. 1621),
come primarily from those in the Memoir of Ming Dynasty (see Liu and Ma, 2012 ).
3.2 the Moon and Five Planets
The positional records of the Moon and five planets (Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Saturn)are the most type of astronomical records in past dynasties. Fan “犯” (approach), within one
degree, is usually used to describe positional relation of the Moon, planets and stars. In addition, asmall quantity of yan “掩” (occultation), ru “入” (access), shou “守” (stationary), he “合”(conjunction) and ju “聚” (gather), which are generally called occultation and approach together
with fan in our category, are used to describe positional relationship between celestial bodies.
There are more than 2600 records of occultation and approach, including 1457 records of theMoon occulting or approaching stars, 121 records of the Moon occulting or approaching fiveplanets, 927 records of planet occulting or approaching stars, 94 records of one planet occulting or
approaching another planet, and 23 records of planetary gather. Since such astronomical
phenomena can be calculated using modern methods, we can explore some related issues, such as
the date used in Chinese historical annals (see Kiang, 1980).
Compared with traditional star names in ancient China, there are a few changes in the Ming
Shilu. We can’t find “Juxing”, title of determinative star, which was usually used to record
determinative star of some lodge in tianwen zhi. For instance, the determinative star of the lodge
di 氐 is called the southwest star of the lodge di.
3.3 Meteors and Aaerolites
Records of meteors and aerolites account for one third of all celestial events in the Ming Shilu.
This is the highest proportion in historical records. Spaces of these meteors and aerolites accountfor roughly half. These records are detailed and standardized, usually including the size
(brightness) of meteors, color, the direction and constellation of starting, passing and termination.
3.4 Comets (Guest stars)
In ancient China, comets were named by various names according to the shape, commonly known
as guest stars. There are 218 comets (guest stars) retrievable from the Ming Shilu, correspondingto 67 comets roughly according to the time and location. As we all know, one comet appears, theImperial Board of Astronomy often record its shape and color many times, as well as the directionof action, passing constellations.
Besides comets, guest stars also include some alien stars. There are six possible novae orsupernovae according to the General Collection of Ancient Chinese Astronomical Records(Beijing Astronomical Observatory, 1988).
3.5 Other Celestial EventsThe last four columns of Table 2 are included in other celestial events, namely 141 records oftianming “天鸣” (sky cry), 634 records of yunqi “云气” (cloudy obscured hazes), 23 records ofsolar halos, 58 records of laorenxing xian “老人星见” (seeing Canopus), 261 records of Jingxing
zhoujian “金星昼见” (seeing Venus in the daytime), and 62 records of Muxing zhoujian “木星昼见” (seeing Jupiter in the daytime).

4 Conclusions
In addition to tianwenzhi of past dynasties, the largest source of astronomical records in ancient
China is the Ming Shilu, in which there are abundant celestial events, far more than Ming Shi.
Totally 6,625 records can be divided into the following types: 105 solar eclipses, 231 lunar
eclipses, 1578 lunar dynamics, 1044 planetary dynamics, 2248 meteorites, 218 comets (guest
stars), 634 cloudy obscured hazes, 323 seeing Venus/Jupiter in the daytime, and others 244 (seeTable 2).
The densities of different reigns are normal regarding general events in the Memoir of Ming
Dynasty. Regarding the density of astronomical records, an annual average of 38 records before
the Zhengde Shilu, while that is 7 records annually between the Jiajing Shilu to Tianqi Shilu, andthat is 2 records annually in the Chongzhen Shilu. The astronomical records are rarely and notstandardized in the Chongzhen Shilu and Chongzhen Changbian, apparently due to lack of
information caused by the war in the late of the Ming Dynasty. Changes in concept ofhistoriographers compiling Memoirs and compiling system of Memoirs should contribute tosignificant decrease after the Jiajing Emperor.
The different densities of the early and late Ming Dynasty associated with types of celestial
events. The number of celestial events such as the Moon, planets, meteors, and cloudy obscured
hazes, which were the largest in history, drastically decreased. The number of solar and lunar
eclipses is basically consistent with those of past dynasties. The accounts of comets had been
reduced, but the number of comets had not diminished. This reflects the choice of all types ofcelestial events made by the late historians (see Table 3).
According to modern astronomical calculations, 107 records are error among the 2622 recordsof the Moon and planets. The error rate is 4.1%, which is equal to that of the Yuan Dynasty, farbetter than those of past dynasties. The errors should be mainly caused by the process of datacompilation and book copying.
In the Ming Shilu, there are 105 solar eclipses and 231 lunar eclipses, which cover most actual
visible eclipses in the capital. Some eclipses were visible from other countries due to inaccurate
forecasts, which mixed into the measured records. The eclipse records echoed with many recordsof rescue ceremonies in the Ming Dynasty.
A feature of astronomical records is that quite a lot of meteors and aerolites recorded in detailwith standardized form. Also most aerolites have specific location and description of process.

5 Acknowledgements
The project was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (project number:
11473030). I am grateful to Dr M. Soma and Dr K. Tanikawa for their invitation, and also grateful to theexpenses for my travel and stay are financed by their research funds.

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