Xuanyuan

Xuanyuan is the name of the Yellow Emperor. But in Chinese astrology, it is a constellation/ asterism symbolizes the body of a yellow dragon. It consists of 17 stars in the area of Leo and Lynx.

Etymology & History of the term

The Yellow Emperor is a legendary figure in China. It is unknown whether or not the "persona" goes back to a real ruler of the country in the 3rd millennium or is completely invented. In the 20th century, this figure was made a symbol for the creator of the state of China and bringer of civilization.

In astrology, it mainly represents the concubines of the Yellow Emperor's harem. Based on the brightness and position of these stars, ancient astrologers named them after different ranks of concubines， mong which the most important is the Nvzhu, representing the emperor's primary wife (the queen), Alf Leo. In terms of form, this star also represents the head of the Yellow Dragon, while the stars on the left and right represent its horns (Rho, Omicron).

Ian Ridpath's webpage on Leo has more information.

Historical Maps

As one of the oldest Chinese constellations, Xuanyuan is depicted on many historical star charts from China.

Lost one

A weishu book from the western Han Dynasty (1stcentury BCE), titled Xiao Jing · Yuan Shen Qi (孝经·援神契), mentions a kind of Xuanyuan constellation with only 12 stars, compared to the current one with 17 stars. It is possible because the current Xuanyuan constellation includes several very faint stars. Since star maps from that time no longer exist, we cannot determine the specific configuration of these twelve stars. However, according to records, we know that it at least included the prominent/determinative star Nvzhu(Queen, Alf Leo), Furen (higher concubine, Eta Leo) and Yunv (lower concubine, 31 Leo).

Identification of stars

	Rufus and Tien (1945) Suzhou map	HO (1962)	SUN Shuwei Su Song map	SUN X. & J. Kistemaker Han Dynasty	Boshun Yang
determinative star of X.	alf Leo	alf Leo	alf Leo	alf Leo	alf Leo
4th star of X.		alf Lyn
Cifei			alf Lyn

Preserved Images

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  constellation Xuanyuan on the Suzhou Star Chart (retrieved from https://www.chinesehsc.org/zoomify/suzhou_planisphere.html)

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  Xuanyuan on the Korean Star Chart (CC BY SA 4.0 ThULB 2014)

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  Xuanyuan in the Xinyixiangfayao Star Map from Su Song(苏颂, 1020-1101 AD).

Star Name Discussion (IAU)

Europeans in the IAU WGSN proposed in 2023/4 to use the name "Xuanyuan" for any star in this area, for instance, apply it to the star "alf Lyn" in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (CSN).

The Chinese members of IAU WGSN considered "Xuanyuan" too important in Chinese Culture and refused to apply this name to any other than the determinative star. Hence, the only proper star for this name would be alpha Leonis which is already named "Regulus". Therefore, the IAU WGSN decided to not use "Xuanyuan" as a name of any stars.