The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-06-08
CHINESE ASTRONOMY.


stars and Consultations.
The Chinese have adopted a system
differing considerably from our own as
their conception of animals, birds and
forms always does. They had two
great periods of star naming in ancient
China, the first between 1000 and
1, 1000 years before Christ and the sec
ond about dozen centuries later. At
this early period Chinese astronomers
divided the heavens into quarters, con-
tanning twenty-eight groups of stars.
The quarters are distinguished by the
Green Dragon. representing spring and
comprising the seven eastern con-
stellations; the Red Bird, or snm-
mer. the seven southern constella-
tions; the White Tiger, standing for
autumn. the seven western; and the
Dark Warriors, the seven northern.
This name is also known as the Serpent
and sometimes the Tortoise, and it rep
resents winter.
About 100 B. C. the following points
were first brought into prominence in
astronomy: The cycle of twelve years,
dependent on revolution of Jupiter;
the twelve hours into which the hori-
zon is divided by the pointing of the
Bear; the cycles OF ten days; the cycle
of twenty-eight consultations; the four
seasons; the sun, moon and planets.
Astrology was most implicitly believed
in and was the main object of all Chi
nese astronomy, as differences for good
or evil were drawn from all astronom-
ical phenomena. The good or evil
fortune of the mpire was controlled
by the conjunction of the sun and
moon. Each province had its presid-
ing star, which foretold its fortunes
and was invoked whenever any par
ticular thing required.
The naming of stars after individuals
can, In man. instances, be traced to
this period of Chinese astronomy.
Charioteers who were favorites with
the Emperors of the people have had
their names perpetuated by having
them bestowed on groups or on single
stars. The name given during the
Chow dynasty are generally of an inn
perial origin instead of the more popu-
lar origin characterizing earlier CEN
turtles. "The chief ruler of heaven" is
the name given to the ancient pole.
the star Tai-yi twenty-five degrees
from our present pole. The seven
stars Of the Great Bear are the govern
ment rulers of the sun. moon and five
planets. The palace of the heavenly
emperor is bounded by the oval formed
of the fifteen stars of Draco, among
which is Tai-yi. The group containing
Antares is Ming, tang. the council hall
of the emperor where he gives laws to
his subjects. The adjoining stars are
the sons Of the Emperor. The palace
of the Emperor is Arcturus, toward
which the handle Of the Dipper almos
points. and the two large stars in Cen
taur. to the south of Saggittarius mari
the portals of the south gate of hi
dominion.
In Cancer and Leo lies the residence
Of the southern emperor, surrounded
by . guard of twelve feudal barons
Between Procyon and Regulus. and be
tween the ecliptic and equator, Their,
is a group called the Willow Branch
which rules over planets and forms tn,
beak OF the Red Bird. The constella
tions of the seven stars adjoins this
forming the neck of the Red Bird; it
crop is very appropriately taken Il
represent the kitchen OF the palace
Hydra forms the wings; Y is the i'm
perial holel. where visitors at the plac
are accommodated; the constellation
Corvis finishes the shape of the Re,
Bird, and is the last in the zodiac.
The seven western consultations ar
1.-THE lake of fulness." the five reser
voirs of heaven, 1.-THE home of the fiv
emperors," while Hyades is the IAN
nouncer Of invasion on the border"
Tho whole history OF Chinese astrou
omy is full of similar comparisons be
tween the state of the kingdoms OF tn
earth and the heavenly bodies; as a
example the pole star is said to be tn
abode of the Supreme Ruler and tn
circum-polar stars his court. Color
are ascribed to the different emperor.
the white being for west, red for tn
southern emperor, north for black en-
peror, and blue for the eastern, an
the central inclosure is the court Of til
yellow emperor, whose essence is Gale
Hau shu-nieu. Within the brilliar
circle of the serpent is star. tn
''cOurt OF the western heaven" tn
twenty-five stars in the serpent bein
named after the states into which Chin
was formerly divided. From thes
facts one is induced to believe that th
names were very often first given I
Installations ord xho 4.,xI;~1. A.