STARS: Major | All | Constellations | Chinese | About
06♎27 to 13♎27
The 28th Chinese lunar mansion is named 軫宿 Zhěn Su, “Chariot Mansion.”
The 5th asterism of the Chariot Mansion is called 青丘 Qīngqiū, “Green Hill,” representing the verdant hills; according to legend, Qingqiu was the name of an overseas country, or it could represent the name of a backward people’s country or chieftain. It is composed of 7 stars of the constellation Hydra. [1]
This modern asterism contains stars from ancient asterisms that fell into disuse during the Ming Dynasty. β Hya, ο Hya, ξ Hya and 20 Crt were the 4 stars of the asterism Tusikong (Master of Constructions). 29 Crt belonged to the asterism Junmen (Military Gate).
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 13♎27 | 14♎09 | β Hya | Qingqiu Yi (1) | 1°20′ |
| 11♎14 | 11♎56 | 29 Crt | Qingqiu Er (2) | 1°00′ |
| 06♎27 | 07♎09 | 17 Crt | Qingqiu San (3) | 1°00′ |
| 07♎33 | 08♎15 | 18 Crt | Qingqiu Si (4) | 1°00′ |
| 07♎59 | 08♎41 | ξ Hya | Qingqiu Wu (5) | 1°40′ |
| 08♎50 | 09♎32 | 20 Crt | Qingqiu Liu (6) | 1°00′ |
| 11♎10 | 11♎52 | ο Hya | Qingqiu Qi (7) | 1°00′ |
Qingqiu the Green Hill
06♎27 to 13♎27
The Dan Yuan Zi Bu Tian Ge (600 AD) says, “Qingqiu Zi is the seven black stars in the east of the gate (Junmen).” [2]
The History of Ming Dynasty, Treatise on Astronomy (1739) records that of the seven stars of Qingqiu in the Zhen constellation, only three remain, while the star officials Tusikong, Junmen and Qifu have disappeared. The fact that this star official could no longer be observed during the Ming Dynasty suggests its position may have shifted due to precession, stellar motion, or errors in ancient observations, eventually moving it out of its original star region. [3]
Ma Duanlin (1317)
The seven black stars of Qingqiu, southeast of Zhen (Chariot), govern the three Han states in the east, their influence being the same as that of Dong’ou: If Venus and Mars guard it, there will be war in that region. If they move, there will be internal rebellion. [4]
Song History (1346)
The Seven Stars of Qingqiu are located southeast of Zhen (Chariot), and are the name of a barbarian state. If the stars are bright, the barbarian army will be strong; if they are shaky, the barbarian army will cause chaos; if they remain constant, good fortune will follow. [5]
References
- Zhen Su – Baidu Encyclopedia.
- Qingqiu (Star Official) – Wikipedia.
- The Mystery of the Tusikong: From the “Star’s Demise” in the History of Ming to Modern Visible Astronomical Phenomena.
- General Examination of Literature, Volume 279, Part 2, Ma Duanlin, 1317.
- Song History, Volume 50, Chapter 3, 1346.
