Manchu (All Terms)
TAuthors: Lyu Haocheng.
The Manchus are a people whose traditional homeland lies in Northeast China, especially in the region of the Changbai Mountains and the Amur/Heilongjiang basin. Traditionally they lived by hunting, fishing, and gathering, and later also by agriculture. Their indigenous religion, Manchu Shamanism, is characterized by animism, nature worship, ancestor worship, and the worship of Heaven. Among natural phenomena, the sun, moon, and stars were especially sacred. Star worship was historically as important as ancestor worship; Qing-dynasty sources such as the Jilin Tongzhi (吉林通志), Jilin Jiuwenlu (鸡林旧闻录), and the Imperially Commissioned Manchu Rites for Sacrificing to Spirits and Heaven (钦定满洲祭神祭天典礼) record these customs. Living in a high-latitude cold region with long winters and clear night skies, the Manchu ancestors developed a star-based calendrical and ritual system centred on winter constellations.
Transliteration Table
The Latin transliteration of Manchu used here follows the Möllendorff system, which is currently regarded as the most authoritative Manchu transliteration. It should be noted that the Manchu script must be written vertically and requires a dedicated font. The same letter has different forms depending on its position within a word (similar to Arabic), and some consonants are written differently depending on the following vowel (e.g., t, d, k, g, h). The Manchu script shown in the table is only one example and does not necessarily show the correct Manchu letter forms; please refer to the images in the individual star-name entries for the correct spelling.
To ensure accuracy, Manchu terms in subsequent terminology lists will be transcribed using the Möllendorff transliteration, and no Manchu script will be provided.
| Manchu | Unicode | Möllendorff transliteration | IPA | commentary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vowels | ||||
| ᠠ | 1820 | a | /ä/ | |
| ᡝ | 185D | e | /ə/ | |
| ᡳ | 1873 | i | /i/ | |
| ᠣ | 1823 | o | /ɔ/ | |
| ᡠ | 1860 | u | /u/ | |
| ᡡ | 1861 | ū | /ʊ/ | |
| ᠊ᡟ | 185F | y | /ɹ̩, ɻ̩/ | The vowel y is used only in certain syllables of Chinese transcriptions; see "Special Syllables" below. |
| Consonants | ||||
| ᠨ | 1828 | n | /n/ | In syllable-final position, it is usually silent, but it causes nasalization of the preceding vowel. |
| ᠊ᠩ | 1829 | ng | /ŋ/ | |
| ᡴ᠊ | 1874 | k | /kʰ, qʰ/ | Before a, o, and ū, it is pronounced /qʰ/; before e, i, and u, it is pronounced /kʰ/. The letter has different forms depending on context. |
| ᡤ | 1864 | g | /k, q/ | Before a, o, and ū, it is pronounced /q/; before e, i, and u, it is pronounced /k/. The letter has different forms depending on context. |
| ᡥ | 1865 | h | /x, χ/ | Before a, o, and ū, it is pronounced /χ/; before e, i, and u, it is pronounced /x/. The letter has different forms depending on context. |
| ᠪ | 182A | b | /p/ | |
| ᡦ | 1866 | p | /pʰ/ | |
| ᠰ | 1830 | s | /s, ɕ/ | Before i, it is pronounced /ɕ/. |
| ᡧ | 1867 | š | /ʃ/ | |
| ᡨ | 1868 | t | /tʰ/ | The letter has different forms depending on context. |
| ᡩ | 1869 | d | /t/ | The letter has different forms depending on context. |
| ᠯ | 182F | l | /l/ | |
| ᠮ | 182E | m | /m/ | |
| ᠴ | 1834 | c | /t͡ʃʰ, t͡ɕʰ/ | Before i, it is pronounced /t͡ɕʰ/. |
| ᠵ | 1835 | j | /t͡ʃ, t͡ɕ/ | Before i, it is pronounced /t͡ɕ/. |
| ᠶ | 1836 | y | /j/ | |
| ᡵ | 1875 | r | /r/ | |
| ᡶ | 1876 | f | /f/ | The letter has different forms depending on context. |
| ᠸ | 1838 | w | /w/ | It may occur only before the vowels a and e. |
| ᠺ | 183A | k῾ | /kʰ/ | It occurs only before a, o, and ū, and it is used to transliterate foreign words. |
| ᡬ | 186C | g῾ | /k/ | It occurs only before a, o, and ū, and it is used to transliterate foreign words. |
| ᡭ | 186D | h῾ | /x/ | It occurs only before a, o, and ū, and it is used to transliterate foreign words. |
| ᡮ | 186E | ts῾ | /t͡sʰ/ | Used to transliterate Chinese words. |
| ᡯ | 186F | dz | /t͡s/ | Used to transliterate Chinese words. |
| ᡰ | 1870 | ž | /ʒ/ | Used to transliterate Chinese words. |
| Special Syllables | ||||
| ᡮᡟ | 186E 185F | ts | /t͡sʰɹ̩/ | Used to transliterate Chinese words. |
| ᡯᡳ᠌ | 186F 1873 | dzi | /t͡sɹ̩/ | Used to transliterate Chinese words. |
| ᠰᡟ | 1830 185F | sy | /sɹ̩/ | Used to transliterate Chinese words. |
| ᡱᡳ | 1871 1873 | c῾y | /t͡ʃʰɻ̩/ | Used to transliterate Chinese words. |
| ᡷᡳ | 1877 1873 | jy | /t͡ʃɻ̩/ | Used to transliterate Chinese words. |
In this transliteration, sh and th are not English digraphs. Read each letter separately: sh = s + h, th = t + h. The h is /χ/ before a, o, ū and /x/ before e, i, u. Thus gasha ("bird", read as /qäs.χä/) has s + /χ/, not English sh /ʃ/; bithe ("writing, book", read as /pit.xə/) has t + /x/, not English th /θ/ or /ð/. In Möllendorff, the /ʃ/ sound is written š, not sh.
List of terms
| Manchu | English | commentary |
|---|---|---|
| usiha | star | It can represent a single star, as well as a constellation or a asterism. |
| enduri | ||
| mama | ||
| mafa |
Solar System Names
| Manchu | IPA | English | commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Šun | /ʃun/ | Sun | In the ancient creation mythology of the Manchu people, the solar deity is also known as Šun Morin (literally "sun horse"). According to traditional narratives, humanity owes its eternal light and warmth to Šun Morin. Moreover, it is by its ceaseless running, day and night, that the cycle of the four seasons, the alternation of heat and cold, and the rhythms of tides are brought about.[1] |
| Biya | /pjä/ | Moon | |
| Muke usiha | /mu.kʰə u.ɕi.χä/ | Mercury | Calque (semantic loan) from the Chinese term Shuǐ Xīng (水星), literally meaning "water star". |
| Aisin usiha | /äi.ɕin u.ɕi.χä/ | Venus | Calque from the Chinese term Jīn Xīng (金星), literally meaning "metal star". |
| Tuwa usiha | /tʰwä u.ɕi.χä/ | Mars | Calque from the Chinese term Huǒ Xīng (火星), literally meaning "fire star". |
| Moo usiha | /moː u.ɕi.χä/ | Jupiter | Calque from the Chinese term Mù Xīng (木星), literally meaning "wood star". |
| Boihon usiha | /pɔi.χɔn u.ɕi.χä/ | Saturn | Calque from the Chinese term Tǔ Xīng (土星), literally meaning "earth star". |
List of Manchu asterism names
Fu Yuguang and the Folk Manchu Constellations
Fu Yuguang (富育光, 1933–2020) was a leading authority on Manchu folklore and folk culture. His fieldwork also covered Manchu heaven-worship traditions. In 1988 he published A Study of Manchu Shamanic Star Rituals and Customs (满族萨满教星祭俗考)[2], a detailed record of Manchu star ritual culture. It catalogues eighteen folk Manchu constellations, provides hand-drawn star charts, and gives identifications with modern constellations. It remains the most important source for understanding Manchu sky culture.
| No. | Chinese translit.
(Fu, 2007)[2] |
Reconstructed Manchu
(Möllendorff transliteration) |
Qing official Manchu[3] | English | Modern constellation[2] | commentary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 那丹那拉呼 | Nadan Narhū(n) | Nadan Daihūn (那丹岱珲) | Seven Maidens | Tau (Pleiades) | An incarnation of the star-spreading goddess Elden Hehe. |
| 2 | 恩都力僧固 | Enduri Senggu | Enduri Senggu | Hedgehog Goddess | Cyg | As a deity, also known as Jeguru Enduri. |
| 3 | 塔其妈妈 | Taci Mama | Taci (Goddess) | Cas | Timekeeping goddess. | |
| 4 | 托包乌西哈 | Tobo Usiha | Hut | Per | ||
| 5 | 恩都力特克 | Enduri Tehe | God of the Stand | Peg, And | ||
| 6 | 依兰乌西哈 | Ilan Usiha | Three Stars | Ori (Orion's Belt) | ||
| 7 | 那丹乌西哈 | Nadan Usiha | Seven Stars | UMa (Big Dipper) | ||
| 8 | 嘎思哈 | Gasha | Divine Eagle | Aur, Gem, Per, Ori, Tau, Eri | The eagle deity in Manchu legend. | |
| 9 | 兴恶里乌西哈 | Singgeri Usiha | Rat | Leo | The sun-welcoming Rat Goddess. | |
| 10 | 莫林乌西哈 | Morin Usiha | Horse | Not one particular star, but a collective term for four stars, including prominent stars such as Sirius and Arcturus. | ||
| 11 | 瓦丹星 | Wadan | Wadan (The Celestial Altar) | Crv | ||
| 12 | 尼马沁星 | Imcin | Drum | Ari, Tri, And | The Drum Stars and the Drumstick Stars. | |
| 13 | 西离妈妈 | Siri Mama | Goddess of Carp | Lyn, Cam | ||
| 14 | 妥亲乌西妈妈 | Terkin Usiha Mama | Goddess of the Staircase Stars | Vir, Com | ||
| 15 | 乌西哈布鲁古 | Usiha Buruhun | Star of Buruhun (The Dawn Beast) | Boo, CVni, Com | ||
| 16 | 佛朵妈妈 | Fodoho Mama | Goddess of Willow | Hya (Head of Hydra) | Evidently related to the Chinese lunar mansion Willow (柳宿). | |
| 17 | 阿苏乌西哈 | Asu Usiha (ᠠᠰᡠ ᡠᠰᡳᡥᠠ) | Net | Her | An incarnation of the hunting deity Banda Mafa. | |
| 18 | 尼玛哈乌西哈 | Nimaha Usiha | Fishhook | Sco | ||
| 19 | 苏勒干乌西哈 | Sureken Usiha | Star of Wisdom |
Other Asterism and Star Names
| Manchu[4] | English | etymology | Modern Star/Constellation Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hadaha Usiha | Nail Star | α UMi, Polaris | |
| Juru Sirha | Pair of Silver-Maned Steeds | UMi (β UMi, γ UMi) | |
| Taidzi Usiha | Chinese "Taizi (太子)" | γ UMi | |
| Lohū Usiha | |||
| Abkai Ten i Usiha | |||
| Han Usiha | β UMi | ||
| Abkai Šurdejen Usiha | |||
| Elderi Usiha | |||
| Da Ujui Usiha | |||
| Šušu Sukdungga Usiha | |||
| Ten i Šanyan Usiha | |||
| Durgiya | |||
| Ilmahū/Ilmoho Usiha | Prop-Stick | Ori (Orion's Sword) | |
| Aidahan i Sencehe | Chinese "Tianshi (天豕)" | ||
| Eldengge Saracan Usiha | Chinese "Huagai (華蓋)" | ||
| Kūwaran Faidan Usiha | Chinese "Gouchen (勾陈)" | ||
| Hayaha Meihe Usiha | Chinese "Tengshe (螣蛇)" | ||
| Niyalma Usiha | Chinese "Ren (人星)" | ||
| Igeri/Ikiri Usiha | Ox-Leading | Abbreviation of ihan-elgembi, literally "ox-leading" (ihan "ox" + elgembi "to lead"); another explanation derives it from ihan-age ("Ox Brother"), in which the final -ri is meaningless and serves only to fill out the syllable. Borrowed from the Chinese star name "Qianniu" (牵牛, Oxherd/Cowherd). | α Aql, Altair |
| Jodorgan Usiha | Weaving Wife | Abbreviation of jodoro-sargan, literally "Weaving Wife". Borrowed from the Chinese star name "Zhinü" (织女, Weaver Girl). | α Lyr, Vega |
| Nimaha Usiha | |||
| Jaksangga Ten | |||
| Jaksangga Gurung | |||
| Borboho Usiha | CrB |
| Manchu | Chinese | English | etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gimda | 角 | Horn | |
| K'amduri | 亢 | Net | |
| Dilbihe | 氐 | Root | |
| Falmahūn | 房 | Room | |
| Sindubi | 心 | Heart | |
| Weisha | 尾 | Tail | |
| Girha | 箕 | Winnowing Basket | |
| Demtu | 斗 | Dipper | |
| Niohan | 牛 | Ox | |
| Nirehe | 女 | Woman | |
| Hinggeri | 虚 | Emptiness | |
| Weibin | 危 | Rooftop | |
| Šilgiyan | 室 | Encampment | |
| Bikita | 壁 | Wall | |
| Kuinihe | 奎 | Legs | |
| Ludahūn | 娄 | Bond | |
| Welhūme | 胃 | Stomach | |
| Moko | 昴 | Hairy Head | |
| Bingha | 毕 | Net | |
| Semnio | 觜 | Beak | |
| Šebnio | 参 | Three Stars | |
| Jingsitun | 井 | Well | |
| Guini | 鬼 | Ghosts | |
| Lirha | 柳 | Willow | |
| Simori | 星 | Stars | |
| Jabhū | 张 | Extended Net | |
| Imhe | 翼 | Wings | |
| Jeten | 轸 | Chariot |
- ↑ Lu Liankun鲁连坤, narrator. Umesiben Mama乌布西奔妈妈. Annotated and translated by Fu Yuguang富育光, Jilin People's Publishing House, 2007.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fu, Yuguang富育光. (1988). A Study of Manchu Shamanic Star Rituals and Customs满族萨满教星祭俗考. Northern Ethnicities, (1).
- ↑ Fu, Yuguang富育光. (1988). An Examination of the Qing Imperial Shrine Sacrifices清宫堂子祭祀辨考. Social Science Front社会科学战线, (4), 209.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Jiang, Z 姜照中., & Wang, L 王磊. (2020). Dependent origination of the Qing Dynasty's Manchu star names: A study based on the Emperor Gaozong's Han i araha sunja hacin i hergen kamciha manju gisun i buleku bithe 清朝滿語星名的緣起：以高宗《御製五體清文鑑》為考察範圍. The History of Science Newsletter, 44, pp. 29-52.
