Chinese Constellations depicted in Beijing.  Author’s photo

Astronomer Su Song first created the initial star map (ca. 1092) from which these constellations were later carved.  The first engraving (by Wang Zhiyuan) occurred 55 years later, and changes have been added ever since.

Introduction to Chinese astronomy

The stars rotate around a central star designated as the emperor.  The rotations established  the seasons, which was especially important for determining planting and harvesting times

The Lunar Mansions and Their European Counterparts

The lunar mansions divide the sky into 28 regions, and three enclosures around the emperor. This site shows what European constellations can be found in each of the lunar mansions.


The arrow points to location where engraving was found.
View Chinese Constellations in a larger map
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