00♒56 to 02♒25
The ninth Chinese lunar mansion is named 牛宿 Niu Su, “Ox Mansion.” It is the second of the seven mansions of the Black Tortoise of the North.
The fourth asterism of the Ox Mansion is also called 河鼓 Hegu, “River Drum.” It represents the Drums of the Heavenly Army and is composed of three stars of the Aquila constellation. [1]
| 2020 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 02♒25 | 00♒07 | β Aql, Alshain | Hegu Yi (1) | 1°50′ |
| 01♒47 | 02♒22 | α Aql, Altair | Hegu Er (2) | 1°00′ |
| 00♒56 | 01♒34 | γ Aql, Tarazed | Hegu San (3) | 1°00′ |
Constellation Hegu the River Drum
00♒56 to 02♒25
The three stars of the River Drum constellation are northwest of the Ox constellation, representing the Heavenly Drum, which is the drum of the emperor and his generals. They are also called the Three Martial Stars, representing the emperor’s three generals: the central star (Altair) is the Grand General. The left star (Alshain) is the Left General. The right star (Tarazed) is the Right General.
The left star (Alshain), also known as the Southern Star, is used to prepare for passes and bridges, defend against difficulties, establish defensive barriers, and understand enemy strategies.
A bright and upright star with a yellow luster indicates good fortune; an unbalanced star signifies war and worry; an angry star indicates a valuable horse; movement indicates war; a bent star indicates a general losing strategy and momentum; sharp angles indicate a fierce general; swaying indicates disorder and war.
If the moon violates it, the army will be defeated and killed. If five planets violate it, war will break out. If a comet or a guest star violates it, the general will be killed. If a meteor violates it, the feudal lords will rebel.
If yellow or white clouds enter it, the emperor will be pleased; red indicates war; its appearance indicates victory; black indicates the death of a general. If blue clouds enter it, the general will be worried; its appearance indicates the calamity will be averted. [2]
The three stars of the River Drum are north of the Oxherd, also known as the Heavenly Drum, governing military drums and axes. Also called the Three Martial Stars, they govern the emperor’s three generals: the central large star (Altair) is the Grand General, the left star (Alshain) is the Left General, and the right star (Tarazed) is the Right General. The left star (Alshain) is a southern star, used to prepare passes and bridges, establish barriers, and resist difficulties.
A bright and clear star signifies good fortune for the general; a wavering star indicates disorder and war. A straight star signifies the general’s success; a crooked star signifies the general’s failure to follow the rules. [3]