03♈58 to 08♈57
The 14th Chinese lunar mansion is named 壁宿 Bì Su, “Wall Mansion.” It is the 7th of the 7 mansions of the Black Tortoise of the North.
The 6th asterism of the Wall Mansion is called 土公 Tǔgōng, “Official for Earthworks and Buildings.” It represents officials in charge of civil engineering and construction, and is composed of 2 stars of the constellation Pisces [1]
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 03♈58 | 04♈40 | c Psc | Tu Gong Yi (1) | 1°00′ |
| 08♈57 | 09♈39 | 45 Psc | Tu Gong Er (2) | 1°00′ |
Tugong the Official for Earthworks and Buildings
03♈58 to 08♈57
The Earth God Star Official of the Wall Mansion is one of the seven deities worshipped in ancient Chinese folk religion. [2]
Tu Gong refers to both the “God of the Land” and the asterism of the Bi Mansion, which oversees palace construction. In some dialects, it also refers to a person responsible for burying corpses. In folk beliefs, the Earth God (land god) is regarded as a local guardian deity, in charge of a certain area of land, and protects people’s health and well-being. The image of the Earth God is mostly that of a kind, amiable old man with white hair and a beard. He is often worshipped alongside the Earth Goddess. Dreaming of land and the Land God may reflect an individual’s desire for security, stability, and belonging. [3]
土公 Tugong, “Lord of the Soil,” is another name for 土地公 Tudigong, “Lord of the Land.” [4]
Ma Duanlin (1317)
The two stars southwest of the Chamber are called the Earth Officials, governing officials in charge of earthworks. Their movement indicates construction work. According to the Sui Shu, the Earth Officials are in charge of overseeing passages. The Song Zhongxing Astronomical Records states: The Earthwork Official is southwest of the Bi (Wall) constellation. [5]
Song History (1346)
The Tugongli (Earth Official) star, with two stars, is located south of the Bi (Wall) constellation, or northeast of the Wei (Danger) constellation, governing officials in the construction of palaces and earthworks. If it moves, construction work will begin. [6]