Gemini alpha constellation

One Star, One World: Dialect Constellations in Ancient and Modern China and Abroad

Constellation refers to the combination of a group of stars with similar projection positions on celestial bodies. Different histories and civilizations have different cultures on the division, meaning, signs and symbols of constellations. Most modern constellations evolved from the traditional constellations of ancient Greece. 1928, the international astronomical union officially announced the names of 88 constellations throughout the day. These 88 constellations are divided into three celestial regions, 29 in the northern hemisphere and 47 in the southern hemisphere, near the ecliptic 12. Every star in the sky belongs to a specific constellation.

The constellation originated in ancient Babylon.

Well-documented constellations originated in Babylon, one of the four ancient civilizations. Babylonians put forward 30 constellations around 1000 BC, and later divided the sky into many regions and put forward new constellations. After the culture of the two river basins spread to Greece, ancient Greek astronomers supplemented and developed the Babylonian constellation and compiled the ancient Greek constellation table.

Because the ancient Greeks needed to sail around the world, they had to master accurate astronomical knowledge, so that they could easily judge the season suitable for sailing and the sailing of the other side, so the constellation became the best street lamp. In the second century AD, Ptolemy, an ancient Greek astronomer, sorted out 48 constellations on the basis of predecessors, and connected the brighter stars in the constellations with imaginary lines. Using the classic characters and animal images in ancient Greek mythology, these constellations were given different names, and the concept of twelve constellations was initially formed.

signs of the zodiac

In astronomy, the earth's orbit around the sun is called the ecliptic. The width of the ecliptic is 18 degrees, 360 degrees around the sun. The ecliptic plane includes the orbits of all planets and the twelve constellations running here.

More than 2,000 years ago, Greek astronomer Baccus divided the ecliptic into 12 segments, with the spring divided into 0 degrees and every 30 degrees since the vernal equinox, and named them after the main constellations contained in the palaces at that time, namely Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Lion, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.

In the world, the influence of the "Zodiac" is very extensive. It is the category of astronomy, the theoretical basis of astrology, and the basis corresponding to the zodiac. With the passage of time and the accumulation of experience, constellations have gone beyond the scope of astronomy. Later generations derived the theory of analysis and judgment on numerology, personality and other aspects through the orientation of the sun, the moon and the stars in the sky and the fusion of the planets in Jin Mu. A whole set of huge and complicated astrology system was born by luck and became a part of Chinese and western traditional culture.

Three Walls and Twenty-eight Houses in Ancient China.

In ancient China, the sky was divided by star officials. The earliest record of the work of star officials is Sima Qian's Historical Records of Celestial Officials. There are 9 1 star, totaling more than 500. By the Sui Dynasty, there were 283 star officials recorded in Song of Heaven, all of whom belonged to one of the 28 stars in Sanyuan.

"Three Walls and Twenty-eight Hostels" is the name of celestial starry sky system, which is equivalent to modern astronomical constellations. In ancient China, in order to observe the astronomical phenomena, the stars in the sky were divided into several groups, and each group had a name. Such a combination of stars is called a star officer. The number of stars contained in each star officer is uneven, ranging from dozens to one. The area occupied by star officials is also different. Among the numerous star officials, 365,438+0 occupies a relatively important position, that is, three walls and twenty-eight accommodations. It was the Tang Dynasty that confirmed that Sanyuan Twenty-eight Nights developed into an ancient starry sky division system in China.

Sanyuan is the three areas around the north celestial pole: Ziweiyuan, Taiweiyuan and Tianshiyuan.

Ziweiyuan: it is equivalent to the big bear, the little bear, the fairy king and the fairy queen in the polar region of modern astronomical constellations. In ancient China, they were named after emperors, princes, Taizun and other royal nobles.

Taiweiyuan: It is equivalent to a part of the modern astronomical constellation Virgo, latecomers and lions. In ancient China, they were named after the positions of ministers, such as Sangong, Jiuqing, Hu Ben, Guan Cong and Lucky Minister.

Tianshiyuan: It is equivalent to a part of modern astronomical constellations such as Snake Man, Immortal, Giant Snake and Eagle. In ancient China, they were named after street merchants such as Dou, Hu, Si and Lou.

Twenty-eight lodging places are distributed in 28 areas near the ecliptic and the white road, including seven lodging places in the east, seven lodging places in the south, seven lodging places in the west and seven lodging places in the north.

Twenty-eight Hostels, also known as Twenty-eight Stars or Twenty-eight Houses, were originally selected from the laws of natural movements such as gold, wood, water, fire, earth, sun and moon, as a sign of observing astronomical phenomena. "Su" is similar to the "palace" of the zodiac, indicating the position of the sun, the moon and the five stars.

The seven hotels in the East are: Jiao, Kang, Shi, Fang, Xin, Wei,

The white basket is called Oriental Dragon.

The seven nights in the south are: well, ghost, willow, star, Zhang, wing,

It's called Southern Suzaku.

The seven nights in the west are: Que, Lou, Stomach, Chang, Bi, Gou,

Ginseng is called the Western White Tiger.

The seven nights in the north are: fighting, cattle, women, emptiness, danger, room,

The wall is called northern Xuanwu.

China ancient twelve constellations

In order to be familiar with the movements of the sun, the moon and the planets and the seasonal changes in a year, the ancients divided the zodiac into twelve equal parts from west to east, which is equivalent to the western zodiac. They are astrology, metaphysics, holiness, health, girder, stone god, quail head, quail fire, quail tail, immortal star, fire and quail tail.

In ancient China, the twelve zodiac signs were also called twelve o'clock, and they were called Zi, Ugly, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu and Hai. The book of Lingbao's erudite economy says: "If you want to take a five-star class, the Prophet Zodiac and its genus. Yin is Sagittarius, and the sea is Pisces. Children are Aquarius and ugliness is Capricorn. Being Scorpio and Aries is fire. Chen is Libra and you are Taurus. I am a double girl, and Shen is yin and yang. Noon is lion day, not the moon of cancer. " It can be seen that the ancients made a detailed division of twelve o'clock, the zodiac and the fire, water and soil in Jin Mu.

zodiacal constellations

Zodiac and 12 constellations correspond to Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces respectively. There are different Chinese and western cultural characteristics in the whole system of astrology.

Aries (March 21-April 20)

Aries is the first house of the zodiac, also known as Aries. It is located in the southwest of Taurus and the east of Pisces, and is the location of the ancient vernal equinox. It comes from the golden sheep in Greek mythology, which helped a pair of suffering brothers and sisters escape from danger and launched a wonderful adventure story. Aries is characterized by frankness, enthusiasm, impulsiveness and ego.

Every year in mid-June, 5438+February, at eight or nine o'clock in the evening, we can look up at the constellation map of Aries. It consists of four stars, Pegasus and Andromeda. Draw a straight line from the two stars in the north of the box and extend one and a half times to the east. The two brightest stars are the two horns of Aries. Every April 18 to May 14, the sun runs in Aries, and the solar terms such as Grain Rain and Changxia on the ecliptic are all in this constellation. The appearance of Aries is a small dark constellation. The three main stars in the constellation are arranged in the shape of an old pistol. From late autumn to the next spring, it always flashes in the sky.

In ancient China, the name "Aries" came from 28 accommodations in Su Kui. It looks like the word "white" in ancient Chinese characters, and Lou Su and Wei Su are like two sheep heads. Kui, Lou and stomach together, called "Aries". The Book of Rites and the Moon Order states: "The month is in midsummer, and the day is in Wei Xiao. This is the moon, day and night. " At the vernal equinox, after sunset, Quesu appeared in the western sky. The solar term corresponding to Aries is the vernal equinox.

Taurus (April 21-May 20)

Taurus, the second house of the zodiac, is located in the east of Aries and the west of Gemini. This myth comes from the story of Behnas River in Mogna, Greece, in which Zeus incarnates as Taurus and Seven Sisters. Taurus is conservative, practical, patient and stubborn.

The area of Taurus is about 797.25 square degrees, accounting for 1.933% of the total area of the whole day, ranking seventeenth among the 88 constellations in the whole day. Every year165438+1on the evening of October 30th, the center of Taurus passes through the transit. Bi Suwu is located near the ecliptic. It is about 90 degrees away from the four bright stars of Leo Xuanyuan XIV, Scorpio Antares and Sagittarius Beiluoshimen, which are also near the ecliptic. They are called the "four heavenly kings" of the zodiac.

In ancient China, the name of Taurus came from the appearance of the Pleiades in Twenty-eight Nights, which was quite similar to two traditional metal smelting furnaces, commonly known as "earth blast furnace" and "gold"; Soapy is like a cow with its neck stretched out to eat grass. Together, the Pleiades and Soapy are called "Taurus". Taurus is shaped like a corner in the sky. We can see two open clusters with naked eyes: the Pleiades and the Pleiades. The most famous celestial body in Taurus is "two clusters plus a nebula". People with good eyesight can see seven bright stars in this cluster, which was called "Seven Stars" in ancient China. "The Book of Rites and the Preface to the Month" says: "The summer dream is a month, and the day has passed. It is also the moon for long summer. " The solar term corresponding to Taurus is long summer.

Gemini (May 2 1- June 2 1)

Gemini is the third house of the zodiac, located in the east of Taurus and the west of Cancer. In ancient Greek mythology, two friendly brothers, casto and Poole Jocks, sailed by boat. When the storm came, the stars appeared on the heads of the two brothers and the storm stopped. Therefore, Gemini has also become the guardian star of navigation. Gemini is fickle, alert, curious and good at communication.

Gemini covers an area of about 5 13.76 square degrees, accounting for about 1.245% of the whole day, ranking 30th among 88 constellations in the whole day. Every year at the night of 65438+10.5, the Gemini Center falls from the sky. To the west of Gemini is Taurus, and to the east is relatively dim Cancer. Auriga and the unknown Tmall are located in the north, while unicorns and canines are located in the south. Gemini has two very bright stars, namely Beihe III and Beihe II, and the others are relatively dark.

One of the 28 stars in ancient China is Betelgeuse, which looks like two people standing back to back, and is called "Gemini". Gemini is called two brothers-casto and Poole Jocks. "Brother" was called "North Heshan" in ancient China, which was brighter than "Brother" and was the 17th brightest star in the whole day. And "Brother" was called "Beihe II" in ancient China, which was the first confirmed binary star in the history of astronomy. Specifically, it is a "six-star" composed of six stars. Strangely, my younger brother Beiheshan is also a Liuhe star.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

Cancer, the fourth house of the zodiac, is located in the east of Gemini and the west of Leo. Cancer is a goddess in Greek mythology. In memory of her dead nephew Hercules, Cancer was established in heaven. Cancer is characterized by kindness, persistence, loyalty and enthusiasm.

Cancer covers an area of about 506.9 square degrees, with an annual area of 65,438+/kloc-0. On the night of October 29th, the center of Cancer falls from the sky. Cancer is a "human" shape composed of three bright stars. It is "huge" because it is a constellation spanning 90 degrees-120 degrees. In the middle stage of cancer, people with good eyesight can see white fog, which was called "corpse gas" in ancient China. Describe it: "Like a cloud, Feiyun, like a star, not a star, just seeing gas." It was not until the invention of astronomical telescope that people observed that it was originally a cluster, which was called "ghost cluster" in astronomy. This cluster has more than 200 members and is 520 light years away.

The haunted house among the 28 ancient stars in China looks like the ancient Chinese character "Giant", with Su Jing beside it, and looks like the lines on the belly of a female crab. The haunted house is called "cancer" together with Su Jing. The Book of Rites and the Moon Order states: "In midsummer, the sun is in the well. It is also a month, and the days are long. " The solar term corresponding to Cancer is the summer solstice.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Leo, the fifth house of the zodiac, is located in the east of Cancer and the west of Virgo. The establishment of Leo is now generally believed that in ancient Egypt more than 4,000 years ago, when the sun moved to the sky area of Leo every midsummer festival, a large number of lions gathered in the Nile Valley to enjoy the cool water, hence the name Leo. Leo is characterized by sunshine, enthusiasm, self-confidence and generosity.

The area of Leo is about 946.96 square degrees, accounting for 2.296% of the whole day. Ranked 12 in the 88 constellations of the whole day. On the night of March 1 every year, Leo center passes through the transit. Xuanyuan XIV, the brightest star in Leo, is a blue and white star, and its brightness ranks 2nd1in the whole night sky. A group of constellations that once represented the lion's tail hair has become an independent constellation "Late Constellation". Leonid meteor shower has been widely circulated for a long time. Every year 165438+ 10, a large number of meteors appear in the middle of the night. It is said that at least from 902 AD, it is a cycle of about 33 years. In ancient China (AD 93 1 year), meteor showers broke out in the Five Dynasties.

Among the 28 constellations in ancient China, Zhang Su and the constellations were combined to look like a lion with a big head, which was called "Leo".

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Virgo is the sixth house of the zodiac, also called Virgo, and it is the largest constellation in the zodiac. Located east of Leo and west of Libra. On the ancient star map, Virgo was painted as a goddess with wings and harvesting, holding a bunch of ears of wheat in one hand and a sickle in the other. In ancient Greek mythology, she was regarded as the goddess of justice. Virgo's personality is cautious, earnest, introverted and generous.

The area of Virgo is about 1, 294.43 square degrees, accounting for about 3.3 18% of the whole day. Among the 88 constellations in the whole day, Virgo is the second largest, second only to Ophiuchus. Every year on the evening of April 65, 438+0, the Virgo Center falls from the sky. Virgo is one of the brightest stars in the spring sky, ranking 15 among all celestial bodies, and emitting blue and white light. The Beidou-1 and Beidou-3, which connect the constellation Ursa major, are extended to seven or eight times, and you can see the angle. The modern autumnal equinox is located near Virgo.

In ancient China, Virgo, known as arcturus I, was the first star on the first night of the twenty-eight nights. The wing in "Twenty-eight Stars" looks like a woman sitting with two braids, and is called a "virgin". "The Book of Rites and the Moon Order" contains: "In the autumn dream, the sun is on the wing. This is the moon and the beginning of autumn. " Virgo, the corresponding solar term is beginning of autumn.

Libra (September 23rd-65438+1October 23rd)

Libra, the seventh house of the zodiac, lies in the east of Virgo and the west of Scorpio. In ancient Greek mythology, Libra was born when the scales in charge of good and evil in the hands of a priestess flew to the sky. Libra is the Libra used by Astria, the god of justice and the god of stars, to judge good and evil for human beings. Libra's personality characteristics are kindness, kindness, good communication and indecision.

The four brightest stars in Libra form a quadrilateral, one of which is the only green star visible to the naked eye all day. The stars in Libra belong to Scorpio's claws, one is Scorpio's north claw and the other is Scorpio's south claw.

Among the 28 constellations in ancient China, arcturus, Capricorn and Kangsu together look like a balance, and they are called Libra and Libra. There is a saying in Huangdi Neijing: "Jin Yue is at peace" means that the sun is in Libra at the autumnal equinox. "The Book of Rites and the Moon Order" reads: "In the mid-autumn moon, the sun is in the corner. This is the moon, day and night. " The solar term corresponding to Libra is the autumnal equinox.

Scorpio (65438+1October 24th-165438+1October 22nd)

Scorpio is the eighth house of the zodiac, namely "Ji 'e Palace", which is located in the east of Libra and the west of Sagittarius. In ancient Greek mythology, Scorpio attacked felton, who was driving the carriage of the Sun God, with poison gas, giving Zeus a chance to release lightning and destroy the moving solar car. Because of his meritorious service, he became a Scorpio in the sky. Scorpio is mysterious, passionate, cold and jealous.

Scorpio is the most conspicuous constellation in summer, and the ancient Persians thought it was one of the four pillars to protect the celestial sphere. Coincidentally, in ancient astronomy in China, a star in Scorpio was placed in the constellation of 28 nights, which was called "Antares", three stars in Scorpio were called Shang stars, and three stars in Orion's belt were called Can stars. Scorpio and Orion are the most prominent constellations in summer and winter respectively. It is impossible for them to rise and fall in the sky at the same time, and they will never meet. Du Fu said in a poem: "When friends meet, it is as difficult as the stars in the morning and evening."

M7 in Scorpio is one of the most famous open clusters in the sky. There are many bright blue stars in this cluster, which is 1000 light years away. It consists of about 100 stars. At night, when the weather is clear, we can see it from the tail of Scorpio with the naked eye. As early as 130, the ancient Greeks observed it.

Among the 28 stars in ancient China, the tail is shaped like a scorpion's body and tail, and the heart and room are also like scorpions' bodies and tails, while the tail, heart and room are like two scorpions' bodies and tails, so it is called "Scorpio". "The Book of Rites and the Moon Order" contains: "The moon of Meng Dong, the day is at the end. This is the moon and the beginning of winter. " Scorpio's corresponding solar term is beginning of winter.

Sagittarius (165438+1October 23rd-65438+February 2nd1)

Sagittarius is the ninth house of the zodiac, located in the east of Scorpio and the west of Capricorn. Sagittarius in ancient Greek mythology is a talented man named Kai Long Xing. Ken Taulos people are also called "Sagittarius" because they are half man and half horse. The ancient Greeks imagined it as Kay Long Xing, a centaur with a bow and arrow pointing to the western scorpion (Scorpio). Sagittarius is characterized by honesty, generosity, frankness and recklessness.

Sagittarius covers an area of about 867.43 square degrees, accounting for 2. 1% of the whole day, ranking 15 among 88 constellations in the whole day. Every year on July 7th, Sagittarius Center falls from the sky. This constellation has six stars, which are shaped like a spoon. The connecting line of the two stars at the front of the spoon points to Altair.

Among the 28 stars in ancient China, the speed is like archery with a bow, and the fighting speed is like a hand. Jisu and Dousu together are called Sagittarius. The Sagittarius star is also divided into two parts, named after farm tools and dustpan respectively. The six stars in "Nan Dou" are stars, and the stars under Kay Long Xing's bow and arrow are stars. The spoon-shaped six stars, also known as "southern bucket" and "Beidou bucket southern six", are the formula of ancient star watchers.

Capricorn (65438+February 22nd -65438+ 10/9)

Capricorn is the 10 house of the zodiac, located in the east of Sagittarius and the west of Aquarius. In ancient Greek mythology, he was the shepherd in charge of Zeus' cattle and sheep. People call him "Shepherd Pan". Capricorn's personality is practical, subjective, patient and stubborn.

Capricorn covers an area of 4 13.9 square degrees, accounting for 1.003% of the total area, ranking 40th. On the night of August 8 every year, the Capricorn Center falls from the sky. /kloc-John hewie, an astronomer in the 0/7th century, said that Capricorn existed as early as 5,000 years ago, and its bright stars formed an inverted triangle structure, which was called the "immortal gate" by the ancients. It is believed that people who are freed from all kinds of fame and fortune on the earth can ascend to heaven through this door.

In the twenty-eight constellations of ancient China, Taurus looks like a flowering shepherd's purse, which is called "Mo", and the female tenant looks like a sheep's egg, which is called "Jie". When Taurus and female tenants are combined, they are called "Capricorn". Capricorn in ancient times belonged to Niusu Tianqu, and the cow in Su Shi's famous sentence "The moon rises in Dongshan and lingers in the bullfight room" refers to Niusu. "The Book of Rites and the Moon Order" contains: "Mid-winter moon, the sun fights. It is a month, and the days are short. " The solar term corresponding to Capricorn is the winter solstice.

Aquarius (65438+1October 20th-February 18)

Aquarius, also known as Aquarius, is the eleventh house of the zodiac "Fude Palace", located in the east of Capricorn and the west of Pisces. In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus' favorite was the beautiful boy in Crete. Hera's jealousy killed him and turned him into an Aquarius. Zeus sealed his soul in the sky and became an Aquarius star. Aquarius is innovative, changeable, stubborn and rebellious.

Aquarius covers an area of 979.85 square degrees, accounting for 2.375% of the whole day, ranking tenth among the 88 constellations in the whole day. On August 25th every year, the Aquarius Center falls from the sky. Aquarius is a big, dark constellation. There are two meteor showers every year. Influenced by the famous Halley's Comet, May 5th is the most spectacular period, and it will reach its climax on July 3rd1day.

1846 On September 23rd, German astronomer Galle discovered Neptune near Aquarius according to the calculation of French astronomer Levi. Neptune is also known as the star found under the pen tip.

Among the 28 constellations in ancient China, Xu Su is shaped like a straight horizontal, while the dangerous constellation is shaped like a bottle of gall. Tail and Xu Su are called "Aquarius", and ancient Aquarius belongs to four constellations: female, virtual, dangerous and indoor. "The Book of Rites and the Moon Order" contains: "The moon of Meng Chun, the sun is in the camp. This is the moon and the beginning of spring. " The solar term corresponding to Aquarius is beginning of spring.

Pisces (February1September-March 20)

Pisces is the twelfth house of the zodiac, a mysterious palace, located in the east of Aquarius and the west of Aries. In ancient Greek mythology, the beautiful goddess Venus and her son Cupid were chased by the giant Di Feng. They all jumped into the Euphrates River and fled like fish. In Athens, Pisces turned fish into stars in the sky as souvenirs. Pisces is characterized by romance, tolerance, sensibility and carelessness.

The area of Pisces is about 889.4 square degrees, accounting for 2. 15% of the whole day, ranking 14 among the 88 constellations in the whole day. Pisces crosses the sky on September 27th every year. On the map, several stars in Pisces just south of the quadrangle can be regarded as a fish. The quadrilateral Pegasus meets other stars and the dark star that meets Alpha Andromeda is another fish, and the "V" located between the two fish with Alpha as the vertex is the "rope" that binds the two fish.

Among the 28 stars in ancient China, Virgo, Hibiya and Nigong have 65,438+00 stars, which are combined together like two small fish chasing food and are called "Pisces".

One star, one world, the mysteries of the twelve constellations of celestial bodies are endless, just like the universe waiting for continuous exploration. Although the information system of constellation science is huge and complex, full of fuzziness and interest, neither cultural prototype nor psychological game is a rich resource for those who need self-confidence, those who fail, those who look for explanations, those who look forward to the future and those who look for life ideas.

References:

Zhu Kezhen's Time and Place of the Origin of Twenty-eight Hostels

Xia Nai's "Looking at Twenty-eight Hostels and Yellow from the Star Map of Xuanhua Liao Tomb"

the zodiac

# "Flash Moment" Theme Essay Phase II #