Traditional Chinese astronomy groups the fixed stars into asterisms (small constellations), divided into four groups: The Twenty-Eight Mansions along the ecliptic and the Three Enclosures. Each Enclosure is enclosed by two “wall” asterisms, left (east) and right (west).
Supreme Palace Enclosure
The Tai Wei Yuan, “Supreme Palace Enclosure,” is known as the Heavenly Court and the Southern Palace of the Heavenly Emperor. Taiwei means “government,” and the Taiwei Enclosure represents the seat of power and governance.
The Taiwei Enclosure is associated with administering the law impartially, supervising promotions, bestowing virtues, receiving talismans from the constellations, and granting authority to all gods, thus easing doubts and resolving disputes. [1]
Ancient Chinese astronomers incorporated political order into the framework of cosmic laws. They had recognized the main structure of the Taiwei Enclosure by the 5th century BC. The layout of the Forbidden City forms a wonderful correspondence with the Taiwei Enclosure.
The Taiwei Enclosure symbolizes the Chinese nation’s eternal pursuit of virtuous governance and an orderly civilization over three thousand years. As the Book of Changes says, “Observe the heavens to discern the changes of time; observe human affairs to transform the world.” [2]
The two walls of Taiwei Enclosure are composed of five stars each, symbolizing civil and military officials. The stars are cosmic projections of the ancient bureaucratic system. The Taiwei Left Wall is associated with vying for favor and resisting the princes and kings. [1]
Supreme Palace Right Wall
The Taiwei Right Wall is associated with wielding power and punishing the disobedient. [1] It is also known as the “Military Affairs Office” and the administrative center of the Heavenly Court. Stars numbered 2 to 5 are the Four Assistants. [2]
| Right Wall | IAU | Chinese Name | Meaning | Alternative |
| 1 | β Vir, Zavijava | You Zhi Fa | Right Law Administrator | Right Enforcer |
| 2 | σ Leo | Xi Shang Jiang | First Western General | Western General |
| 3 | ι Leo | Xi Ci Jiang | Second Western General | Western Vice General |
| 4 | θ Leo, Coxa | Xi Ci Xiang | Second Western Minister | Western Vice Chancellor |
| 5 | δ Leo, Zosma | Xi Shang Xiang | First Western Minister | Western Chancellor |
If the Taiwei Enclosure is visible during the day, it foretells war and funerals for the nation.
The moon and the five major planets encroaching on the orbits of the Taiwei Enclosure are auspicious. A lunar halo indicates the emperor will lead his army to protect himself. Three lunar halos within the Taiwei Enclosure within a month foretell a pardon. When the moon obscures the Taiwei Enclosure, it foretells worries for the ministers, a situation the emperor dislikes.
A bright star in Taiwei Enclosure: Good governance, a well-governed nation, and laws are enforced.
If stars in Taiwei Enclosure emit radiant light and flicker: Feudal lords are plotting rebellion.
Jupiter entering the orbit of the Taiwei Enclosure foretells a pardon. Jupiter lingering there foretells the death of generals, prime ministers, law enforcement officials, and censors;
The movement of Jupiter and Mars into the celestial region of the Taiwei Enclosure, in retrograde motion, foretells war and funerals; their entry into the Taiwei Enclosure, appearing white and without light, foretells famine throughout the land; their unconventional backward movement foretells a major case. In the celestial realm, it foretells the death of the Left and Right Generals in battle.
When Saturn’s orbit encroaches upon the Taiwei Enclosure in the heavens, it foretells the promulgation of virtuous decrees and the reign of a queen. If it retrogrades and lingers in the area of the Taiwei Right Enclosure, it foretells troubles; if it encroaches upon the area of the Taiwei Enclosure and lingers, it foretells the destruction of the nation. [2]
When Venus’s orbit encroaches upon the Taiwei Enclosure, it foretells war and ministers killing each other; if it lingers, it foretells war and funerals; if Venus and Saturn together encroach upon the center of the Taiwei Enclosure, the monarch will abhor this situation. [2]
When Mars enters Taiwei Enclosure: Ministers kill each other; the land is in turmoil; the palace must defend itself; wicked ministers will be executed; the ruler will personally lead troops or be promoted to a high-ranking official, prime minister, or censor. If it enters on a Gengzi day, it signifies the emperor’s mandate, transgression, and loss of the garrison, and also results in water-related loss. [1]
When Venus enters the Right Enclosure: The emperor appoints treacherous officials. It warns the Emperor against his favoritism towards treacherous ministers and alludes to the prime minister’s loss of his position. [2]
When Mercury’s movement intrudes into the celestial region of the Taiwei Enclosure, the emperor should assume relevant responsibilities, foreshadowing internal turmoil; when it enters the Heavenly Court, it foreshadows troubles in the harem and a major flood; when it intrudes into the celestial regions of the Left and Right Enforcers and lingers, it foreshadows war and a pardon.
When a guest star intrudes into the celestial region of the Taiwei Enclosure, appearing yellowish-white, it foreshadows joyous events for the emperor; when it enters the Taiwei Enclosure for 30 days, it foreshadows a pardon; when it intrudes into the celestial regions of the Four Assistants, it foreshadows danger for the assisting ministers. [2] When a guest star appears, the ruler’s decrees are unusual; the army will suffer a loss, and law enforcement officials will execute the guilty. [1]
A comet‘s movement into the celestial region containing the Taiwei Enclosure foretells a change of dynasty; a comet leaving the Taiwei Enclosure foretells trouble in the palace and a fire; its movement into the celestial region containing the Enforcement Star foretells the dismissal of officials in charge of enforcement. . A meteor leaving the Taiwei Enclosure foretells that ministers will engage in foreign affairs. If many meteors roam freely within the Taiwei Enclosure, it foretells a weak monarch and powerful ministers.
Clouds moving in and out of the Taiwei Enclosure, their color slightly bluish, foretell the loss of the throne for the ruler. Yellowish-white clouds entering the Taiwei Enclosure’s celestial region signify joyous events and a long life for the ruler. Black and pale clouds entering the Taiwei Enclosure’s celestial region foretell the emperor’s worries; their departure averts danger. [2]