Tian Dajiangjun (天大将军)

Tian Dajiangjun (天大将军, “Celestial Grand General”) is a Chinese star name that traditionally comprises 11 stars, although some sources record 12.

Etymology and History

The earliest attestation of this asterism is found in the Shishi xingjing (Star Canon of Master Shi), compiled in the late 2nd century BCE—though some scholars argue that the canon origins in the 4th century BCE. Prior to the Tang dynasty (618-907), extant star maps and official histories refer to it simply as "Tian Jiangjun" (天将军, "Celestial General"), whereas the Shishi xingjing employs both "Tian Jiangjun" and "Tian Dajiangjun." From the Song dynasty (960-1279) onward, the longer form “Tian Dajiangjun” became more prevalent.

Despite variations in nomenclature, the Shishi xingjing clearly identifies this asterism as representing "the Grand General in Heaven" (天之大将军也). The term dajiangjun (“Grand General”) emerged in late time of the Warring States (475 -221 BCE) period to distinguish a commander-in-chief from subordinate generals, while shangjiangjun (上将军, "High General") appears to have been more common at the time. At early time of Emperor Wu of Han (r. 141 – 87 BCE), dajiangjun was institutionalized as an official title, ranking alongside the Prime Minister but often wielding greater de facto authority, effectively making the Grand General the highest-ranking official beneath the emperor himself. Accordingly, the designation of a celestial “Grand General” is more plausibly a development of the post-reform Han imperial system.

The Eastern Han scholar Xi Meng (郗萌) once mentioned a related asterism, Tianjiangjun qi (天将军旗, “The Banner of the Celestial General”), said to be located beside Tian Jiangjun. However, further details about this configuration have been lost.

Identification of stars

Star Names or Orders(Qing)	Ho PENG YOKE	Yi Shitong Based on catalogue in 18th century(Qing Dynasty)	Pan Nai based on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map	Pan Nai based on catalogues in Yuan Dynasty	SUN X. & J. Kistemaker Han Dynasty	Boshun Yang before Tang Dynasty	Boshun Yang Song Huangyou(1052)
1st/Determinative	gamma 1 And	gamma 1 And	beta Tri	gamma 1 And	gamma 1 And	gamma 1 And	beta Tri
2nd	phi Per	phi Per	6 Tri	phi Per	phi Per	b And	gamma Tri
3rd	51 And	51 And	10 Tri	51 And	51 And	nu And	gamma 1 And
4th	49 And	49 And	gamma 1 And	chi And	49 And	omega And	phi Per
5th	chi And	chi And	phi Per	HIP 7918	chi And	51 And	51 And
6th	HIP 7825	nu And	51 And	nu And	nu And	phi Per	chi And
7th	HIP 7918	Tau And	chi And	Tau And	Tau And	58 And	HIP 7825
8th	nu And	56 And	nu And	56 And	beta Tri	beta Tri	HIP 7918
9th	Tau And	beta Tri	Tau And	58 And	gamma Tri	delta Tri	nu And
10th	56 And	gamma Tri	HIP 8432	beta Tri	delta Tri	gamma Tri	tau And
11th	beta And	delta Tri	56 And	gamma Tri	58 And	14 Tri	56 And
	delta Tri

Maps (Gallery)

historical map	modern identification (Yang 2023)	same in Stellarium 25.1
Tian Dajiangjun on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido Star Chart	Tian Dajiangjun between Han and Tang Dynasty as drawn on the Cheonsang Yeocha Bunyajido, identified by Boshun Yang (2023).	Tian Dajiangjun between Han and Tang Dynasty as drawn on the Cheonsang Yeocha Bunyajido, mapped in Stellarium 2025 by Boshun Yang (2023)
Tian Dajiangjun on the Suzhou Star Map
Tian Dajiangjun on Geziyuejintu
Tian Dajiangjun on Suzhou Star Map	Tian Dajiangjun as drawn on the Suzhou map in Song Dynasty (China), identified by Boshun Yang (2023).	Tian Dajiangjun as drawn on the famous Suzhou Star Chart from Song Dynasty China, mapped in Stellarium (not published) by Boshun Yang (2023).

Star Name Discussion (IAU)

In 202x, the name of the historical constellation "xxx" was suggested to be used for one of the stars in this constellation. ...

Decision: ...

References

References (Chinese)