STARS: Major | All | Constellations | Chinese | About
05♊35 to 10♊11
The 19th Chinese lunar mansion is named 畢宿 Bì Su, “Net Mansion.”
The 4th asterism of the Net Mansion is called 天節 Tiānjié, “Celestial Tally.” It represents tallies used as credentials for entering and exiting ancient gates, and governs the envoys who carry imperial credentials to proclaim authority throughout the empire. It is composed of 8 stars of the constellation Taurus. [1]
Note:
天節 Tiānjié, “Celestial Tally,” is the 4th asterism of the Net Mansion.
天街 Tiānjiē, “Celestial Street,” is the 3rd asterism of the Net Mansion.
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 07♊17 | 08♊00 | π Tau | Tiānjié Yi (1) | 1°00′ |
| 09♊03 | 09♊46 | ρ Tau | Tiānjié Er (2) | 1°00′ |
| 05♊35 | 06♊17 | 57 Tau | Tiānjié San (3) | 1°00′ |
| 07♊34 | 08♊16 | 79 Tau | Tiānjié Si (4) | 1°00′ |
| 09♊46 | 20♊28 | 90 Tau | Tiānjié Wu (5) | 1°20′ |
| 10♊11 | 10♊53 | 93 Tau | Tiānjié Liu (6) | 1°00′ |
| 08♊48 | 09♊30 | 88 Tau | Tiānjié Qi (7) | 1°20′ |
| 05♊45 | 06♊28 | 66 Tau | Tiānjié Ba (8) | 1°00′ |
Tiānjié the Celestial Tally
05♊35 to 10♊11
Celestial tally refers to a tally made of gold, jade, bronze, bamboo, or wood, used as a pass for entry and exit at ancient gates. It was divided into two halves; the right half was kept in the central office, and the left half was given to the border guards. When going on a mission, the right half was given to the envoy, and the two halves were put together to verify authenticity when passing through a checkpoint. [1]
Ma Duanlin (1317)
The eight stars of “Tian Ji” (天节), south of Bi, govern the envoys’ presence and the dissemination of power and virtue to all directions. Its brightness is auspicious, its darkness inauspicious. [2]
Song History (1346)
The eight stars of Tianjie, located south of Bi and Fu’er, govern the envoys who carry imperial credentials to proclaim authority throughout the four directions. If these stars shine brightly, the envoy will be loyal and faithful; if dim or faint, envoys sent on missions will behave improperly or without distinction.
If Mars remains over Tianjie, ministers may plot rebellion, or an envoy may die. If Venus remains over Tianjie, a great general will be dispatched on a mission. If guest stars or comets transgress Tianjie, imperial decrees and laws will not be enforced effectively. If a guest star remains over Tianjie, envoys carrying imperial credentials will face troubles or distress. [3]
References
- Twenty-Eight Mansions – Baidu Encyclopedia.
- Song History, Volume 50, Chapter 3, 1346.
- General Examination of Literature, Volume 279, Part 2, Ma Duanlin, 1317.