Zong (宗)
Authors: Lyu Haocheng
Zong (Ancestors, Patriarchal Clan, 宗), aChinese constellation consists of two stars, located north of Zongren (宗人) and east of Hou (the Astrologer, α Oph), belongs to the Heavenly Market Enclosure, the Shi school, and corresponds to the modern constellation Ophiuchus (After the end of the Ming Dynasty, the location moved to Hercules). This star official represents the ruling royal kin—princes and ministers with blood ties to the Heavenly Emperor. It is responsible for distinguishing degrees of kinship and serves as the emperor's auxiliary blood ministers.
Concordance, Etymology, History
The Zong stars are used to distinguish close from distant relatives. They are the image of the imperial house and the blood-related assistants of the Heavenly Emperor, and they also govern ancestral sacrifices.
Huangdi Zhan (黄帝占) says:
If the Zong stars are bright and close together, the emperor is affectionate with his kin, and the consort clans are orderly. If they are faint and far apart, then the emperor and his relatives slight each other; if there are conspirators, the emperor will suffer anxiety.
The Book of Jin: Astronomical Treatise records:
The Zong stars are the image of the imperial house, the blood ministers who assist the emperor.
Bright and close stars foretell harmony among kin; faint and distant stars foretell estrangement and rebellion. These interpretations reflect the traditional Chinese practice of judging the stability of royal blood politics by the brightness and position of the Zong constellation.
Identification of stars
Traditionally, Zong stars has always corresponded to the stars 71 and 72 Ophiuchus, but since the late Ming Dynasty, this constellation has been mistakenly associated with the stars 110 and 111 Herculis.
| Star Names or Orders(Traditional/Qing) | Ho PENG YOKE[1] | Yi Shitong[2]
Based on catalogue in 18th century |
Pan Nai[3]
based on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map |
Pan Nai[4]
based on catalogues in Yuan dynasty |
SUN X. & J. Kistemaker[5]
Han Dynasty |
Boshun Yang[6]
before Tang dynasty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 110 Her | 110 Her | 72 Oph (Determinative) | 72 Oph | 72 Oph | 72 Oph |
| 2nd | 111 Her | 111 Her | 71 Oph | 71 Oph | 71 Oph | 71 Oph
(Determinative) |
Maps (Gallery)
| historical map | modern identification | same in Stellarium |
|---|---|---|
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IAU Working Group on Star Names
In 202x, the name of the historical constellation "xxx" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. ...
Decision: ...
References
- ↑ P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy, 5(1962), 127-225.
- ↑ Yi Shitong伊世同. Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981: 56.
- ↑ Pan Nai潘鼐. Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. p226.
- ↑ Pan Nai潘鼐. Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 2009. p443.
- ↑ Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. The Chinese sky during the Han. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.
- ↑ B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 261.
