Constellation Columba the Dove is a southern constellation bordering Puppis, Canis Major, Lepus, Caelum and Pctor. It was introduced by Petrus Plancius in 1592 and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. Columba spans 42 degrees of the zodiac in the Signs of Gemini and Cancer.

Fixed Stars in Columba

2000	2050	Star	Name	Sp. Class	Mag.	Orb
18♊43	19♊25	ε Col		K1	3.86	1°30′
22♊11	22♊53	α Col	Phact	B7	2.65	2°00′
24♊44	25♊28	μ Col	She	B1	5.18	1°00′
26♊26	27♊08	β Col	Wazn	K1	3.12	1°50′
27♊22	08♊04	λ Col	Tsze	B5	4.88	1°00′
29♊03	29♊45	γ Col		B2	4.36	1°10′
29♊37	00♋40	η Col		K0	3.96	1°30′
03♋04	03♋46	θ Col	Elkurud	B8	5.00	1°00′
06♋30	07♋12	κ Col	Kurud II	G8	4.37	1°10′
08♋26	09♋08	δ Col	Ghusn al Zaitun	G7	3.85	1°30′

Columba Constellation Meaning in Astrology

Constellation Columba the Dove gives a gentle, kind, timid, innocent and self-sacrificing nature, together with strength of spirit. ^[1]

Columba Star Name Meanings

Alpha (α) Columbae is officially named Phact, from the Arabic فاختة (fākhitah), meaning ring dove. In China, it is 丈人一 (Zhàng Rén yī), meaning the First Star of Grandfather, also named Chang Jin.

Beta (β) Columbae is officially named Wezn, from the Arabic وزن, meaning Weight. In China, it is 子二 (Zǐ èr), meaning the Second Star of Son.

Delta (δ) Columbae is traditionally named Ghusn al Zaitun, from the Arabic الغصن الزيتون (al-ghuşn al-zaitūn), meaning the Olive Branch (carried by the dove of Noah’s Ark).

Epsilon (ε) Columbae has the Chinese name 丈人二 / (Zhàngrénèrthe), meaning the Second Star of Grandfather.

Theta (θ) Columbae is officially named Elkurud, from the Arabic الفرود (al-furūd), meaning the Solitary Ones. Allen (1899) suggested that al-furūd might have been an old transcriber’s error for القرود (al-qurūd), meaning the Apes, which he termed Al Ḳurūd. In China, it is 孫二 (Sūn èr), meaning the Second Star of Grandson.

Kappa (κ) Columbae has the Chinese name 孫一 (Sūn yī), meaning the First Star of Grandson. Stellarium lists this star as Kurud II.

Lambda (λ) Columbae has the Chinese name 子一 (Zǐ yī), meaning the First Star of Son, also named Tsze.

Mu (μ) Columbae has the Chinese name 屎 (Shǐ), meaning Excrement or The Secretions (droppings from the celestial toilet Ce in Lepus.) ^[3]

Chinese Asterisms in the Dove

• Alpha and Epsilon Columbae are called 丈人 (Zhàng Rén), meaning Grandfather.
• Beta Columbae and Lambda Columbae are called 子 (Zǐ), meaning Son.
• Kappa and Theta Columbae are called 孫 (Sūn), meaning Grandson.

References

1. Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.39.
2. Star Tales – Columba, Ian Ridpath.