STARS: Major | All | Constellations | Chinese | About
06♋16 to 15♋57
The 22nd Chinese lunar mansion is named 井宿 Jǐng Su, “Well Mansion.” It is the 1st of the 7 mansions of the Vermilion Bird of the South.
The 11th asterism of the Well Mansion is called 四瀆 Sìdú, “Four Channels.” It represents the four major rivers in China, the Yangtze, Yellow, Huai and Ji. It is composed of 4 stars of the constellations Gemini and Monoceros. [1]
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 15♋57 | 16♋39 | HD 52960 | Sidu Yi (1) | 1°00′ |
| 12♋08 | 12♋50 | 17 Mon | Sidu Er (2) | 1°00′ |
| 08♋29 | 09♋12 | 13 Mon | Sidu San (3) | 1°10′ |
| 06♋16 | 06♋58 | ε Mon | Hushi Si (4) | 1°10′ |
Sidu the Four Rivers
06♋16 to 15♋57
The Four Rivers (四渎) constellation represents the four major rivers in ancient China that flowed independently into the sea: the Yangtze River (江), the Yellow River (河), the Huai River (淮), and the Ji River (济).
From the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC) onwards, the four rivers were incorporated into the national sacrificial system. They were endowed with profound moral character and spiritual symbolism. As the Ji River gradually disappeared due to geological changes, its cultural symbolism was perpetuated through the spiritual interpretation of “uniqueness and respect.” [2]
Ma Duanlin (1317)
The four stars of Sidu (四渎) are located south of Jing (井) and east of Xuanyuan (轩辕), representing the accumulated essence of the Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, and Ji rivers. Their brightness indicates flooding. [3]
Song History (1346)
Sudu consists of four stars, located to the east of the eastern wall of Dongjing (Eastern Well). They represent the essences or spirits of the four great rivers: Yangtze River, Yellow River, Huaihe River, and Ji River. If these stars appear bright and large, it signifies that all major rivers will breach their banks or overflow. [4]