Asterism Tianchuan – Celestial Boat

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28♉42 to 12♊19

The seventeenth Chinese lunar mansion is named 胃宿 Wei Su, “Stomach Mansion.” It is the third of the seven mansions of the White Tiger of the West.
The fifth asterism of the Stomach Mansion is called 天船 Tiānchuán, “Celestial Boat.” It represents the warships of the Heavenly General and governs water crossings, floods and droughts. It comprises nine stars in the constellations Camelopardalis and Perseus. ^[1]

2000	2050	IAU	Chinese	Orb
28♉42	29♉24	η Per, Miram	Tianchuan Yi (1)	1°30′
00♊05	00♊44	γ Per, Alphecher	Tianchuan Er (2)	1°50′
02♊05	02♊47	α Per, Mirfak	Tianchuan San (3)	2°20′
06♊45	04♊27	ψ Per, Seif Australis	Tianchuan Si (4)	1°10′
04♊48	05♊31	δ Per, Adid Borealis	Tianchuan Wu (5)	1°50′
09♊30	10♊12	48 Per	Tianchuan Liu (6)	1°30′
10♊48	11♊30	μ Per	Tianchuan Qi (7)	1°20′
11♊56	12♊39	HD 27084	Tianchuan Ba (8)	1°00′
12♊19	13♊01	HD 26764	Tianchuan Jiu (9)	1°00′

Tianchuan the Celestial Boat

28♉42 to 12♊19

Tianchuan means “ship in the sky,” or “Heavenly Boat.” It resembles a large arc and in the West is called “Perseus’s Bow.” In astrological beliefs, the celestial ship is responsible for boats crossing rivers and for observing floods and droughts.

The Book of Jin, Treatise on Astronomy (648 AD) states: “The nine stars in the north are called Tianchuan (Heavenly Boat) and Zhouxing (Boat Star), because they are used to cross rivers where passage is difficult.” ^[2]

Ma Duanlin (1317)

The nine stars of Tianchuan, located north of Daling, are in the middle of the river. Also called the Boat Star, it governs crossings, floods and droughts. If not in the middle of the river, the river will be impassable, and floods will occur. If the four stars in the center are equally bright, the world will be at peace; otherwise, war and loss are likely. The same applies to migration. The appearance or disappearance of a comet indicates a great flood and war. ^[3]

Song History (1346)

Tianchuan (Celestial Ship) consists of nine stars located north of Daling (Great Mausoleum), at the center of the Celestial River (Milky Way). It represents Heaven’s boat and governs safe passage and successful water crossings. Shi Shen (375 BC) said: “If this position is not in Hanzhong (Milky Way), then ferry crossings on the river will be blocked.”

If it is bright, the world will be at peace; if it is dim or it shifts position, the world will suffer war and loss. If the moon transgresses Tianchuan, all rivers will overflow, and ferry crossings will be impassable. If any of the five planets invade it, water will overflow, and people will be forced to migrate. If a comet invades it, great floods will occur. If a guest star (unexpected star or nova) invades it, flooding and war will follow. If a blue cloud enters Tianchuan, the emperor will be worried and cannot sail; if it is red, it signifies war and the mobilization of warships; if it is yellow or white, the emperor will be pleased. ^[4]