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02♌48 to 11♎27
Ancient Chinese astronomers divided the night sky into three enclosures and twenty-eight mansions. The 太微垣; Tài Wēi Yuán, “Taiwei (Supreme Palace) Enclosure,” is one of the three enclosures and 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. It 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.
The Supreme Palace Enclosure is located northeast of the Ziwei (Purple Palace) Enclosure, south of the Big Dipper, and north of the lunar mansions Yi (Wings) and Zhen (Chariot), covering approximately 63 degrees of the sky. [1]
| # | Asterism | English | 2000 | Constellations | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tàiwēizuǒyuán | Left Wall | 04♎50 | Virgo / Coma Berenices | 5 |
| 2 | Tàiwēiyòuyuán | Right Wall | 11♍19 | Leo / Virgo | 5 |
| 3 | Yèzhě | Usher to the Court | 03♎21 | Virgo | 1 |
| 4 | Sāngōng | Three Excellencies | 06♎56 | Virgo | 3 |
| 5 | Jiǔqīng | Nine Senior Officers | 22♍02 | Virgo | 3 |
| 6 | Wǔzhūhóu | Five Lords | 27♍36 | Coma Berenices | 5 |
| 7 | Nèipíng | Inner Screen | 23♍20 | Virgo | 4 |
| 8 | Wǔdìzuò | Seats of the Five Emperors | 20♍52 | Leo | 5 |
| 9 | Xìngchén | Officer of Honour | 22♍02 | Coma Berenices | 1 |
| 10 | Tàizǐ | Crown Prince | 18♍58 | Leo | 1 |
| 11 | Cóngguān | Retinue | 16♍53 | Leo | 1 |
| 12 | Lángjiāng | Captain of the Bodyguards | 29♍52 | Coma Berenices | 1 |
| 13 | Hǔbēn | Emperor's Bodyguard | 10♍29 | Leo | 1 |
| 14 | Chángchén | Imperial Guards | 10♍03 | Canes Venatici / Ursa Major | 7 |
| 15 | Lángwèi | Officers of the Imperial Guard | 22♍04 | Coma Berenices | 15 |
| 16 | Míngtáng | The Hall of Glory | 21♍31 | Leo | 3 |
| 17 | Língtái | Astronomical Observatory | 14♍01 | Leo | 3 |
| 18 | Shǎowēi | Junior Officers | 03♍29 | Leo / Leo Minor | 4 |
| 19 | Chángyuán | Long Wall | 04♍28 | Leo | 4 |
| 20 | Sāntái | Three Steps | 02♌48 | Ursa Major | 6 |
Taiwei Enclosure – Supreme Palace
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.” [1]
Ma Duanlin (1317)
Song History (1346)
The ten stars of the Taiwei Enclosure, according to the Book of Han, are: “The Vermilion Bird of the Southern Palace, representing the power and balance.” The Book of Jin states: “It is the court of the Son of Heaven, the seat of the Five Emperors, and the residence of the Twelve Princes. Its outer regions are the Nine Ministers. One interpretation is that Taiwei is the balance, which signifies fairness; it also represents the Heavenly Court, where laws and regulations are applied fairly, promotions and the bestowal of virtue are overseen, the constellations receive their talismans, the gods examine the conduct, and doubts are resolved. Between the two stars in the southern enclosure is the Duanmen Gate. To the east is the Left Enforcer, symbolizing the Court of Justice. To the west is the Right Enforcer, symbolizing the Grand Censor. Enforcers are responsible for investigating and punishing evil. The Left Enforcer to the east is the Left Side Gate. The Right Enforcer to the west is the Right Side Gate.
The four stars in the eastern enclosure: the first one in the south is the Prime Minister. To its north is the East Sun Gate; the second is the Second Prime Minister, to its north is the East Gate of China; the third is the Second General, to its north is the East Moon Gate; the fourth is the Supreme General, also known as the Four Assistants.
The four stars of the western Benclosure: the first in the south is the Supreme General, to its north is the West Sun Gate; the second is the Second General, to its north is the West Gate of China; the third is the Second Prime Minister, to its north is the West Moon Gate; the fourth is the Supreme Prime Minister, also known as the Four Assistants.
The Book of Han states: “The twelve stars encircling the palace represent the barbarian ministers: the west is the General; the east is the Prime Minister; the four stars in the south are the Enforcers; the center is the Duan Gate; the left and right are the Ye Gates.” The New Book of Qianxiang states: “Ten stars, five each in the east and west, north of the Wings and Chariots. The northern star of the Western Barbarians is the Supreme Prime Minister, and the right star of the South Gate is the Right Enforcer. If the Western and Eastern Barbarians have a bright light or wavering, it indicates that the feudal lords are plotting against the emperor. If the Enforcer moves, punishments will be more severe. When the moon and five planets enter the Taiwei orbit, it is auspicious; if they commit a crime, punishment will be imposed.” If the moon occupies the Taiwei Enclosure, the ministers will be displeased, and the ruler will be weak while the ministers are strong, and the armies of the four directions will be uncontrolled. If it violates the law enforcement, the Haizhong Zhan says: “Generals and ministers who are exempted from punishment will have a three-year reprieve period.” If the moon enters the East and West Gates, or the left and right side gates, and exits south through the Duan Gate, there will be rebellious ministers, and the ruler will be worried; if it enters the West Gate and exits through the East Gate, the ruler will be worried, and ministers will abuse the ruler’s authority. If the moon occupies the four auxiliary gates in the middle of the moon, it means that the ministers have been disrespectful, and the ministers will be executed. A lunar halo means that the emperor will defend himself with troops. Three lunar halos in one month at Taiwei indicate a general amnesty. A lunar eclipse at Taiwei indicates that ministers will be worried, and the ruler will be displeased. If Jupiter enters the moon, there will be a general amnesty; if it violates the moon, the ministers who enforce the law will be worried; if it enters the East Gate, there will be an emergency military operation throughout the country; if it guards the East Gate, generals, ministers, and ministers who enforce the law will die; if it enters the Duan Gate and guards the Heavenly Court, great calamity will come; if it enters the South Gate and exits through the East Gate, there will be a drought; if it enters the South Gate and exits through the West Gate, the country will suffer a loss; if it enters the East Gate and exits through the West Gate, the country will be destroyed. When Saturn and Mars invade, and their retrograde motion enters, it signifies war and death; if they invade the Supreme General, the Supreme General will be worried; if they guard the Duan Gate, the country will be destroyed, or the Three Dukes will plot against the Emperor, and ministers will be executed; if they invade the Western Supreme General, the Emperor will fight in the field, and the Prime Minister will die; if they enter Taiwei, and their color is white and without light, the world will suffer famine; if their backward motion is not correct, there will be a major prison; if they invade the Taiwei Gate, the left and right generals will die; if they enter the Heavenly Court south of the Screen Star, and exit through the Left Side Gate, the left general will die, and through the Right Side Gate, the right general will die, but if they exit directly through the Duan Gate, there will be no harm; if they enter Taiwei, and their invasion or stagnation occurs, it signifies war; if they enter for twenty days, the Court of Justice will be in charge, and if they remain in the Heavenly Court for ten days, there will be a pardon; if they invade the southeast corner of Taiwei, there will be famine, and the Ministers of Law Enforcement will be worried; if they invade the Prime Minister, the Minister will die. When Saturn invades Taiwei, there will be virtuous decrees, and a female ruler will govern. If they retrograde and guard the Law Enforcement Star and the Four Assistants, there will be worry; if they guard Taiwei, the country will be destroyed; if they guard the Western Barbarians, the king will be worried. When Venus enters Taiwei, it signifies war and ministers killing each other; if left to guard, there will be war and mourning; if it enters Taiwei along with Saturn, the ruler will dislike it; if it enters the Right Side Gate and exits through the Duan Gate, a nobleman will seize power; if it is seen in Taiwei during the day, the country will suffer war and mourning. If the moon occults Venus outside the Duan Gate, the country will be attacked by war. When Mercury enters Taiwei, the emperor will be affected, and there will be internal strife; if it enters the Heavenly Court, the empress will be worried, and there will be great floods; if it guards the left and right sides of the law enforcement and enters, war will break out, and there will be a pardon; if it enters the West Gate, the empress will suffer disaster, and there will be great floods; if it enters the West Gate and exits through the East Gate, there will be war, mourning, and floods. When a guest star enters Taiwei, its color is yellow or white, the emperor will be happy; if it enters or exits through the Duan Gate, the country will be worried; if it enters the Left Side Gate, there will be drought; if it enters the Right Side Gate, the country will be in turmoil; if it exits through the Heavenly Court, there will be harsh decrees and war; if it enters Taiwei for thirty days, there will be a pardon; if it enters the Four Auxiliary Stars, the ministers will suffer misfortune. A comet entering Taiwei signifies change in the world; its appearance at Taiwei indicates worry in the palace and fire; its violation of the law means the enforcer will be dismissed; its violation of the Heavenly Court signifies the establishment of a new king; a comet near Yi signifies the presence of a general at Taiwei, indicating war and mourning; a comet in the Western Regions signifies revolution; a comet from the Five Emperors signifies the downfall of a kingdom and the killing of the ruler. A meteor appearing at Taiwei signifies foreign affairs for a minister; a large number appearing at the South Gate signifies the death of a noble; a meteor traversing Taiwei Palace signifies a weak ruler and strong ministers; a meteor entering Yi through Duan Gate, with light illuminating the ground and making a sound, signifies the establishment of a king. Clouds entering and exiting, slightly bluish in color, signify the loss of the ruler’s position. Bluish-white or black clouds entering the left or right side gates signify mourning; their exit signifies no harm. Red clouds entering the East Side Gate signify internal strife. Yellow-white clouds entering the Taiwei Enclosure signify joy for the ruler and longevity. Entering the left or right side gates signifies the emperor’s virtuous decrees. Black or pale clouds entering signify worry for the emperor; their exit signifies no harm. Black clouds like snakes entering the enclosure signify mourning.
Taiwei Yuan Shixing. The Han Zhi states: “The southern palace of the Vermilion Bird, housing Quan and Heng.” The “Jin Zhi” states: “This is the imperial court, where the Five Emperors reside — it also represents the mansions of twelve feudal lords.” Beyond this are the Nine Ministers. One source says Taiwei Yuan is Heng, which governs balance; it also represents the celestial court — overseeing legal matters and fair judgments, supervising appointments based on virtue, distributing symbols to constellations, examining conduct of deities, and resolving doubts with care. Between the two central stars in Nanfan is Duanduanmen. To the east is Zuozhifa, representing the image of Tingwei. To the west is Youzhifa, representing the image of Yushi Dafu. Zhifa are responsible for exposing and punishing evildoers. To the east of Zuozhifa is Zuo Yimen, the Left Flank Gate. To the west of Youzhifa is You Yimen, the Right Flank Gate.
The four stars in the eastern藩 are as follows: The first to the south is Shangxiang; north of it lies Dong Taiyang Men. The second is Cixiang; north of it is Zhonghua Dongmen. The third is Cijiang; north of it is Dong Taiyin Men. The fourth is Shangjiang — these four are collectively known as the Four Fu.
The four stars in the western藩 are as follows: The first to the south is Shanggan; north of it lies Xi Taiyang Men. The second star is Cijiang; directly north of it is Zhonghua Ximen. The third star is Cixiang, with Xi Taiyin Men located to its north. The fourth star is Shangxiang — these are also known as the Four Fu.” The “Han Zhi” states: “Twelve stars encircle and guard the area, representing vassal ministers: to the west are the generals; to the east are the chancellors; four stars in the south represent Zhifa (executive enforcers); at the center is Duanduanmen (the Central Gate); on both sides are Yimen (Flank Gates).” The “Qian Xiang Xin Shu” states: Ten stars, five each in the east and west, located north of Yi and Zhen. The northern star in the western藩 is Shangxiang, while the right star at the southern gate is Youzhifa. If stars in the eastern or western藩 display halos or show signs of movement and instability, it indicates that feudal lords are plotting against the sovereign. When Zhifa shifts, punishments become especially severe. If the Moon or any of the Five Planets enter the Taiwei orbital path, it is considered auspicious; however, if they transgress a central position within this area, it signifies the formation of punishment. If the Moon transgresses Taiwei Yuan, it is an ill omen for assistant ministers; it also indicates a weak ruler and strong ministers, with military forces in all directions beyond control. If the Moon transgresses Zhifa, according to “Hai Zhong Zhan,” it says: “A general or chancellor will be dismissed within three years.” If the Moon enters through the eastern or western gates, or through the left and right Yimen (flank gates), then exits to the south via Duanduanmen, it indicates a traitorous minister — the ruler will be troubled. If the Moon enters the west gate and exits through the east gate, the sovereign will also suffer worry, with high-ranking ministers usurping imperial authority. If the Moon transgresses or occupies any of the Four Fu stars, it signifies that a minister has violated etiquette — an assistant minister will be executed. If the Moon is surrounded by a halo, it indicates the Son of Heaven must defend himself with military force. Three halos around Taiwei within one month indicate an imperial pardon will be issued. If the Moon is eclipsed in Taiwei, high-ranking ministers will suffer worry — it is a bad omen for the sovereign. If Juexing (Jupiter) enters Taiwei Yuan, an imperial pardon will occur; if it transgresses, the executive ministers will suffer misfortune. If it enters through the east gate, there will be urgent military conflicts across the land. If Juexing remains in this area for a prolonged period, generals, chancellors, and law enforcers will die. If it passes through Duanduanmen and occupies the celestial court, great calamity will arrive. If it enters via the southern gate and exits eastward, there will be drought; if it enters from the south but exits westward in a rebellious manner, the nation will suffer mourning for a ruler’s death. If Juexing moves retrograde into the eastern gate and then exits through the western gate, the country will face destruction and collapse. If Tianxing or Yinghuo transgresses this area and moves retrograde inward, it signifies military conflict and mourning. If they transgress Shanggan (the upper general), the upper general will suffer misfortune; if they remain at Duanduanmen for a long time, the nation will face destruction — alternatively, the Three Dukes may conspire against the ruler, resulting in executions of ministers. If Tianxing or Yinghuo invade Xi Shangjiang (west upper general), it indicates the Son of Heaven will wage war on the battlefield and the prime minister will die. If they enter Taiwei Yuan with a white color and no halo, there will be famine across the land; if their retrograde movement is irregular, major legal cases will arise. Transgressing any gate in Taiwei means left or right generals will perish: entering from the southern side of Tian Ting (heavenly court) near Pingxing, exiting through Zuo Yimen indicates the left general’s death; exiting via You Yimen signifies the right general’s demise; a direct exit through Duanduanmen brings no harm. If they enter Taiwei and transgress or remain for an extended period, military conflict will occur — if they stay within this area for twenty days, Tingwei (the judicial official) will suffer consequences; remaining in Tian Ting for ten days results in an imperial pardon. Transgression of the southeast corner of Taiwei indicates a year of famine and suffering by high-ranking law enforcers. If they transgress Shangxiang (upper chancellor), a major minister will die. If Tianxing enters and transgresses Taiwei Yuan, there will be virtuous decrees — the female ruler will assume governance. If it moves retrograde and transgresses Zhifa or the Four Fu, remaining in these positions brings misfortune. If Tianxing remains in Taiwei Yuan for a prolonged period, the nation will be destroyed; if it occupies the western藩, the ruler will suffer worry. If Taibai enters and transgresses Taiwei, it signifies war — ministers will kill each other. If it remains in this area for an extended time, there will be military conflict or mourning. If Taibai and Tianxing jointly transgress the center of Taiwei Yuan, it is a bad omen to the ruler. If Taibai enters You Yimen (right flank gate) and exits through Duanduanmen during daylight, powerful figures will lose their influence. If Taibai appears in daylight within Taiwei Yuan, the nation faces war or mourning. If the Moon occults Taibai outside Duanduanmen, the country will suffer military conflict. 𝑙 If Chenxing transgresses Taiwei Yuan, the Son of Heaven will suffer — internal chaos is expected. If it enters Tian Ting (the heavenly court), the inner palace suffers worry and great floods occur. If it occupies or enters Zhifa on either side, military conflict arises followed by an imperial pardon. If Chenxing enters through the western gate, disasters strike the inner palace with major flooding; if it moves from west to east gate, war, mourning, and flood disasters will follow. If a guest star transgresses or enters Taiwei Yuan and appears yellowish-white, the Son of Heaven is pleased. If it moves in and out through Duanduanmen, there will be national worries; if it passes through Zuo Yimen (left flank gate), drought follows; passing through You Yimen (right flank) brings national chaos. If a guest star exits from Tian Ting, harsh decrees are issued and war erupts. If such a star enters Taiwei Yuan for thirty days, an imperial pardon is expected. Transgression of the Four Fu indicates ill fortune for assistant ministers. If a comet transgresses Taiwei Yuan — the realm will change. If it exits from Taiwei, there is worry within the palace and fire disasters occur. Transgression of Zhifa means law enforcers are demoted. If a comet invades Tian Ting (the celestial court), a new ruler will be enthroned. A孛 star near Yi close to Shangjiang in Taiwei signifies war or mourning. A孛 star appearing over the western藩 indicates revolution is imminent. A孛 star transgressing the Five Emperors’ positions means national collapse and regicide. If a shooting star emerges from Taiwei Yuan, ministers will engage in foreign affairs. If numerous stars exit through the southern gate, powerful figures suffer death. Shooting stars moving freely across the Taiwei palace indicate a weak ruler and dominant ministers. A shooting star entering Yi from Duanduanmen with light illuminating the earth and producing sound signifies the enthronement of a new king. If clouds enter or exit this area with a faint bluish hue, it indicates that the ruler has lost his position. Blue, white, and black cloud qi entering through left or right Yimen (flank gate) signifies mourning; if they exit, there is no harm. Red qi entering the eastern flank gate indicates internal military conflict will arise. Yellow and white cloud qi entering Taiwei Yuan brings joy to the sovereign, indicating a long life span for the ruler. If it enters through left or right flank gates, the Son of Heaven issues virtuous decrees. Black and bluish-white qi entering this area causes worry for the Son of Heaven; if they exit, no harm will follow. If black qi shaped like a snake enters through any gate in the Yuan (enclosure), mourning is expected.
References
- Taiwei Enclosure – Baidu Encyclopedia.
- The Right Chancellor and the Right Second Chancellor of the Taiwei Enclosure: The Prime Minister’s Residence in the Sky and a Mirror Image of Human Power.