STARS: Major | All | Constellations | Chinese | About
09♈42 to 17♈37
The 12th Chinese lunar mansion is named 危宿 Wēi Su, “Roof Mansion.” It is the 5th of the 7 mansions of the Black Tortoise of the North.
The 8th asterism of the Roof Mansion is called 造父 Zàofǔ, “Zaofu,” representing the historically famous charioteer, and is composed of 5 stars of the constellation Cepheus. [1]
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 17♈37 | 18♈18 | δ Cep | Zaofu Yi (1) | 1°20′ |
| 13♈58 | 14♈39 | ζ Cep | Zaofu Er (2) | 1°40′ |
| 15♈58 | 16♈40 | λ Cep | Zaofu San (3) | 1°00′ |
| 09♈42 | 10♈24 | μ Cep | Zaofu Si (4) | 1°20′ |
| 14♈21 | 15♈02 | ν Cep | Zaofu Wu (5) | 1°20′ |
Zaofu
09♈42 to 17♈37
Zao Fu was a skilled charioteer in ancient times. Legend has it that he presented a fine horse to King Mu of Zhou and was rewarded with the city of Zhao. Some also say he was Bo Le, famous for his ability to judge horses. [1]
The Zaofu star official is located in the southern part of the Chuanshe River and consists of five stars. Zaofu was also the name of a legendary figure. He was a descendant of Zhuanxu, one of the Five Emperors. Because he was skilled at driving a chariot, he became the charioteer for King Mu of Zhou. After driving the chariot to help him quell a rebellion, he was enfeoffed with the city of Zhao and changed his surname to Zhao. He is regarded as the ancestor of the Zhao surname. There are also records referring to him as Sima or Bole. Its name has been used in modern astronomy to denote a class of variable stars, namely Cepheid variables. [2]
Ma Duanlin (1317)
South of Chuan She (Transmission House), in the Yellow River, are the five stars of Zao Fu, the charioteer. Also called Sima (Sima), or Bo Le (Bole). If the stars are gone, horses will be very valuable; if they are bright, it is auspicious. [3]
Song History (1346)
Zaofu consists of five stars located south of Zhuan She; alternatively, they are recorded as north of Tengshe (Flying Serpent) and as belonging to the class of officials in charge of equestrian affairs. It is also called the Sima constellation, or the Bole constellation, governing the imperial stables and horses of the imperial camp, including horse harnesses and reins.
If these stars shift their positions, warfare will erupt, and horses will become expensive; if a star disappears, horses will become extremely expensive. If a comet or guest star enters this region, the equestrian officers will conspire against their superiors [servants or advisors plot against the master] and there may be executions; alternatively, warfare will break out. If such stars remain in this position for an extended time, military movements occur, and horses from the stables are deployed. [4]