Huagai: Difference between revisions
Boshunyang (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE: Huagai (華蓋)}} Chinese constellation. == Concordance, Etymology, History == ... === Identification of stars === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Star Names or Orders(Traditional/Qing) !Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref> !Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science...") |
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{{DISPLAYTITLE: Huagai (華蓋)}} |
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Huagai (華蓋)}} |
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Chinese constellation. |
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Huá Gài (Canopy of the Emperor, 華蓋) is a Chinese asterism consisting of sixteen stars, divided into two parts: seven stars forming the ''Huá Gài'' (“Canopy”) proper and nine forming the ''Gàng'' (“Shaft”). The configuration of this asterism varied considerably over time. In its earliest form, it was located within the modern constellation ''Cepheus'', but later versions shifted its position toward ''Cassiopeia'' and ''Camelopardalis''. The asterism originated within the Gan school during the Han dynasty, around the first century BCE. |
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== Concordance, Etymology, History == |
== Concordance, Etymology, History == |
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The term ''Huá Gài'' originally denoted an ornate ceremonial canopy used in the carriages and processional retinues of ancient emperors. Those used by ministers were called simply ''gài'' (“canopy”) or ''sǎn'' (“umbrella”). Although the canopies differed in form and structure, they could be generally classified into two types according to the shape of their handle: the “straight canopy” (''zhí gài'') and the “curved canopy” (''qū gài''). |
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According to the ''Gu jin zhu'' (Notes on the Past and Present, 古今注) compiled by Cui Bao (fl. Western Jin, 3rd–4th century CE), the curved canopy was invented by the Western Zhou (西周， strategist Jiang Taigong (姜太公， ？- 1015？ BCE): |
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“The curved canopy was made by Taigong. When King Wu（武王， 1076 - 1043 BCE） campaigned against King Zhou(紂王， ？- 1046？ BCE) of Shang Dynasty, a strong wind broke his canopy; Taigong, inspired by the broken shape, designed the curved canopy.” |
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However, this account is likely legendary, as no archaeological evidence of a carriage canopy with a curved handle has yet been found. |
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Carriage canopies were generally straight-handled, while those used in ceremonial processions often had curved handles—likely to allow the attendant holding the canopy to stand slightly apart from the dignitary beneath it. Numerous Han to Tang dynasty murals depict emperors or celestial beings sheltered under a curved canopy. The earliest configuration of the ''Huagai'' asterism appears to mirror precisely this type of canopy structure. |
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=== Identification of stars === |
=== Identification of stars === |
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=== Maps (Gallery) === |
=== Maps (Gallery) === |
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Several ancient star maps preserve depictions of ''Huagai''. The earliest known image appears in the ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'' (''Charts for Celestial Branches and Field Allocations'', 天象列次分野之圖). In this version, Huagai is positioned within ''Cepheus'', differing from all later maps produced after the Tang dynasty. In this early chart, the asterisms ''Wǔ Dì zuò'' (“Seats of the Five Emperors”, 五帝內座) and ''Liù Jiǎ'' (“Six Jia”, 六甲) are shown directly beneath ''Huagai'', precisely matching the description in the ''Gān’s Star Canon'' (Gān shi xing jing, 甘氏星經). Later maps, however, no longer conform to the textual record. |
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A record of a meteor observed in 512 CE reports that it passed through the region of ''Huagai''; its trajectory corresponds only to the position shown on this early chart, while the locations drawn on post-Tang star maps do not align. In fact, ''Huagai'' was not the only asterism changed—other constellations near the northern gate of the ''Purple Palace'' (Zǐgōng, 紫宮) also shifted their position due to the apparent northern expansion of the wall in later charting traditions. |
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The most striking comparison lies in morphology: only the ''Huagai'' depicted on this earliest star map preserves the authentic early form of a curved-handled imperial canopy and its shaft (''gàng''). In contrast, later depictions from the Tang dynasty onward exhibit noticeably distorted shapes, reflecting a departure from the original symbolic design. |
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Revision as of 14:20, 1 December 2025
Huá Gài (Canopy of the Emperor, 華蓋) is a Chinese asterism consisting of sixteen stars, divided into two parts: seven stars forming the Huá Gài (“Canopy”) proper and nine forming the Gàng (“Shaft”). The configuration of this asterism varied considerably over time. In its earliest form, it was located within the modern constellation Cepheus, but later versions shifted its position toward Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis. The asterism originated within the Gan school during the Han dynasty, around the first century BCE.
Concordance, Etymology, History
The term Huá Gài originally denoted an ornate ceremonial canopy used in the carriages and processional retinues of ancient emperors. Those used by ministers were called simply gài (“canopy”) or sǎn (“umbrella”). Although the canopies differed in form and structure, they could be generally classified into two types according to the shape of their handle: the “straight canopy” (zhí gài) and the “curved canopy” (qū gài).
According to the Gu jin zhu (Notes on the Past and Present, 古今注) compiled by Cui Bao (fl. Western Jin, 3rd–4th century CE), the curved canopy was invented by the Western Zhou (西周， strategist Jiang Taigong (姜太公， ？- 1015？ BCE):
“The curved canopy was made by Taigong. When King Wu（武王， 1076 - 1043 BCE） campaigned against King Zhou(紂王， ？- 1046？ BCE) of Shang Dynasty, a strong wind broke his canopy; Taigong, inspired by the broken shape, designed the curved canopy.”
However, this account is likely legendary, as no archaeological evidence of a carriage canopy with a curved handle has yet been found.
Carriage canopies were generally straight-handled, while those used in ceremonial processions often had curved handles—likely to allow the attendant holding the canopy to stand slightly apart from the dignitary beneath it. Numerous Han to Tang dynasty murals depict emperors or celestial beings sheltered under a curved canopy. The earliest configuration of the Huagai asterism appears to mirror precisely this type of canopy structure.
Identification of stars
| 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 |
Boshun Yang[6]
Song Jingyou(1034) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st/4th | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| 2nd/3rd | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| 3rd/2nd | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| 4th/1st | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Maps (Gallery)
Several ancient star maps preserve depictions of Huagai. The earliest known image appears in the Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido (Charts for Celestial Branches and Field Allocations, 天象列次分野之圖). In this version, Huagai is positioned within Cepheus, differing from all later maps produced after the Tang dynasty. In this early chart, the asterisms Wǔ Dì zuò (“Seats of the Five Emperors”, 五帝內座) and Liù Jiǎ (“Six Jia”, 六甲) are shown directly beneath Huagai, precisely matching the description in the Gān’s Star Canon (Gān shi xing jing, 甘氏星經). Later maps, however, no longer conform to the textual record.
A record of a meteor observed in 512 CE reports that it passed through the region of Huagai; its trajectory corresponds only to the position shown on this early chart, while the locations drawn on post-Tang star maps do not align. In fact, Huagai was not the only asterism changed—other constellations near the northern gate of the Purple Palace (Zǐgōng, 紫宮) also shifted their position due to the apparent northern expansion of the wall in later charting traditions.
The most striking comparison lies in morphology: only the Huagai depicted on this earliest star map preserves the authentic early form of a curved-handled imperial canopy and its shaft (gàng). In contrast, later depictions from the Tang dynasty onward exhibit noticeably distorted shapes, reflecting a departure from the original symbolic design.
| historical map | modern identification
(Yang 2023) |
same in Stellarium 24.4 |
|---|---|---|
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
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 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.
