Asterism Kulou (Arsenal), Zhu (Pillars) and Heng (Railings)

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28♎02 to 20♏14

Asterism Kulou (Arsenal)

The 1st Chinese lunar mansion is named 角宿 Jiao Su, “Horn Mansion.”
      The 8th asterism of the Horn Mansion is also called 庫樓 Kulou, “Arsenal.” (28♎02 to 20♏14). It represents the Armory and is composed of 10 stars of the Centaurus constellation.
      The 9th asterism is 柱 Zhu, “Pillars” (01♏54 to 19♏45). It represents the supporting pillars of the arsenal and comprises 11 stars from the constellations Centaurus and Lupus. Before the Ming and Qing dynasties. It started at 15 stars, then decreased by 4 stars.
      The 10th asterism is 衡 Heng, “Railing” (11♏09 to 14♏09). It represents the railings beside the palace, the place where soldiers drilled. It is composed of 4 stars of the Centaurus constellation. [1]

20002050IAUChineseOrb
14♏5715♏39ζ CenKulou Yi (1)2°00′
20♏1420♏57η CenKulou Er (2)2°10′
12♏1813♏00θ CenKulou San (3)2°10′
08♏0108♏432 CenKulou Si (4)1°00′
06♏2807♏10d CenKulou Wu (5)1°30′
06♏4307♏25ξ¹ CenKulou Liu (6)1°00′
02♏1903♏01γ CenKulou Qi (7)2°10′
01♏1902♏01τ CenKulou Ba (8)1°30′
28♎0228♎44D CenKulou Jiu (9)1°00′
00♏4301♏25σ CenKulou Shi (10)1°30′
15♏1715♏59υ² CenZhu Yi (1)1°10′
14♏2015♏02υ¹ CenZhu Er (2)1°30′
18♏4719♏29ι LupZhu San (3)1°40′
19♏4520♏28τ² LupZhu Si (4)1°10′
16♏4817♏30a CenZhu Wu (5)1°10′
15♏4116♏23ψ CenZhu Liu (6)1°20′
07♏4808♏304 CenZhu Qi (7)1°00′
07♏5608♏383 CenZhu Ba (8)1°00′
06♏4007♏221 CenZhu Jiu (9)1°00′
01♏5402♏36HD114613Zhu Shi (10)1°00′
03♏0703♏49ι CenZhu Shiyi (11)2°00′
11♏0911♏51ν CenHeng Yi (1)1°40′
11♏3212♏14μ CenHeng Er (2)1°40′
13♏0213♏44φ CenHeng San (3)1°30′
14♏0914♏51χ CenHeng Si (4)1°10′

Constellation Kulou the Armory

28♎02 to 20♏14

Kulou consists of 10 stars: 6 form the walls of the armory, while the 4 stars in the southwest corner act as watchtowers. Around Kulou are 5 “pillars,” each made of 3 stars, that support the armory. Within Kulou are 4 smaller stars forming a square called “Heng,” symbolizing balance, and some historical records suggest it represents soldiers training in the armory. [2]

Ma Duanlin (1317)

The Kulou (Storehouse and Tower) asterism consists of ten stars: the six large stars form the Storehouse (Ku), while the four southern stars form the Tower (Lou); they are located south of the Jiao (Horn) mansion. It is also known as the Celestial Storehouse, the repository for military chariots. Flanking it are fifteen stars: those clustered in groups of three form the Pillars (Zhu), while the four small stars in the center form the Crossbar (Heng); together, they govern the deployment of troops. Astrological interpretations state: “If the stars within the Storehouse are invisible, armies will converge from all directions; if no stars appear, a subordinate will plot against the ruler; if the stars shine brightly but waver, troops will be dispatched in all directions; if all stars vanish, the state is left without a ruler.” [3]

Song History (1346)

Koulou (Storehouse) consists of ten stars; the six larger ones form a warehouse, and the four to the south form the Lou (Tower). They are located south of Jiao (Horn) Mansion. It is also known as Tianku (Celestial Storehouse), which serves as the repository for military chariots. Fifteen stars surround it, grouped in threes forming the Zhu (Pillars), and the four small stars in the center form the Heng (Crossbeam).
      If the stars have sharp points or flare with rays, warfare erupts; if a star disappears, subordinates will rebel. If they move, generals will be on campaign. If bright and stable, it is auspicious; if dim or void, it is ominous.
      If Jupiter transgresses Koulou, the ruler presides over war. If Mars transgresses it, it signifies war and drought. When the Moon enters Koulou, it indicates war. If a comet or bōxīng (a hairy, hazy, or rayed star) enters it, war and famine will occur. If an intruding guest star enters, foreign military forces will rise up. If a falling star or meteor enters it, all troops will be deployed. If red cloud formations enter, both the interior and exterior will experience unrest. If Tiaku produces a horn-like formation (flares), war is imminent. [4]

References

  1. Jiǎo Xiù – Baidu Encyclopedia.
  2. Exploring the Mysteries of the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon in the East.
  3. General Examination of Literature, Volume 279, Part 2, Ma Duanlin, 1317.
  4. Song History, Volume 50, Chapter 3, 1346.

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