23♊00 to 23♊03
The 21st Chinese lunar mansion is named 参宿 Shēn Su, “Shēn Mansion.” It is the 7th of the 7 mansions of the Vermilion Bird of the South.
The 2nd asterism of the Shen Mansion is also called 伐 Fá, “Punishment.” It represents punishment or serving as a military officer in command of troops. Stellarium labels this asterism “Send Armed Forces to Suppress.” It is composed of 3 stars that correspond to the Sword of the constellation Orion. [1]
There is another “Fa” in Chinese astronomy. 罰 Fá, “Punishment” is the name of the 4th asterism of the 4th mansion 房 Fáng, “Room.” It represents atonement with money.
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 23♊03 | 23♊45 | c Ori | Fa Yi (1) | 1°30′ |
| 23♊01 | 23♊43 | θ² Ori | Fa Er (2) | 1°50′ |
| 23♊00 | 23♊42 | ι Ori | Fa San (3) | 2°20′ |
Fa the Punishment
23♊00 to 23♊03
Ma Duanlin (1317)
The three stars of the calamity are deep within the feet. Shen corresponds to seven generals, and the three small stars in the center are called Fa (伐), representing the Heavenly Commandant, signifying the states of the Hu, Xianbei, Rong, and Di, hence its brightness is discouraged. [2]
Song History (1346)
Shen corresponds to seven generals; the three small central stars (ι θ² 42 Ori) are called Fa, representing Tian Duyi (Heaven’s Chief 尉), who oversees Xianbei and foreign nations. It is undesirable for these stars to be bright.
If the Fa stars shine equally with Shen, ministers will conspire and warfare erupts; should they lose color, armies disband in defeat. If these stars display sharp edges or movement, urgent military action occurs at the borders, and executions or punitive campaigns follow. If their positions shift, it indicates that outsiders will attack the sovereign. [3]