Asterism Qigong – Seven Excellencies

STARS: Major | All | Constellations | Chinese | About

02♏32 to 19♏19

The 17th asterism of the Tianshi (Heavenly Market) Enclosure is named 七公 Qīgōng, “Seven Excellencies.” It represents 7 senior government officials and contains 4 stars in the constellations Boötes and Hercules. ^[1]

2000	2050	IAU	Chinese	Orb
19♏19	20♏02	42 Her	Qigong Yi (1)	1°00′
14♏23	15♏05	τ Her	Qigong Er (2)	1°30′
11♏37	12♏20	φ Her	Qigong San (3)	1°20′
08♏14	08♏57	χ Her	Qigong Si (4)	1°00′
02♏32	03♏15	ν¹ Boo	Qigong Wu (5)	1°00′
03♏10	03♏53	μ¹ Boo	Qigong Liu (6)	1°10′
03♏09	03♏52	δ Boo	Qigong Qi (7)	1°40′

Qigong the Seven Excellencies

02♏32 to 19♏19

Qigong, the Seven Excellencies asterism is more commonly known as the Seven Stars or Seven Dukes. It represents senior government officials, mostly related to the market. The Huangdi Zhan says, “The Seven Dukes discuss doubts; they are the ministers of Heaven, the symbols of the seven celestial bodies, and the advisors.”

Qigong is located just outside the northern wall of the Heavenly Market Enclosure, along with Guan Suo (Coiled Thong), Tian Ji (Celestial Discipline), and Nü Chuang (Woman’s Bed).

Qigong (Seven Excellencies) and Guan Suo (Coiled Thong) together are called the “Prison of the Lowly.” There are variable stars in this region, and their changing brightness led the ancients to observe the phenomenon that “When the stars in the prison are full, there are many prisoners; when they are empty, they are released.” ^[1]

Ma Duanlin (1317)

The Seven Dukes and Seven Stars, located east of the Zhaoyao constellation (Twinkling Indicator), are celestial signs and symbols of the Three Dukes. Zhang Heng said that the Seven Dukes, arranged horizontally at the mouth of the Guansuo constellation (Coiled Thong), govern the enforcement of the law and the ranking of officials of good and evil. When the stars are aligned and in harmony, the national law is fair; when they are misaligned, there will be many injustices and cruelties in prisons. Some say that when a star enters the river (Milky Way), rice prices will be high; when fire (Mars) invades it, war will break out. ^[2]

Song History (1346)

Qigong Qixing (Seven Excellencies) are seven stars east of Zhaoyao (Twinkling Indicator), representing the Celestial Ministers, symbolizing the Three Dukes and overseeing the Seven Luminaries. If bright, the prime ministers are strong; if large and moving, warfare arises. If aligned in order, national laws remain just; if chaotic, prisons fill with prisoners. If they form a connected and intertwined line like a rope (lian guan suo), it signifies the world is in chaos. If entering the Yellow River (Milky Way), grain prices rise, and the people face famine. If Venus stations here, the world is in chaos and war breaks out. If a guest star stations here for long, it will be a year of famine, and the ruler faces danger. When a shooting star emerges from this region, the ruler will be deposed. ^[3]