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09♈42 to 17♈37
The 12th Chinese lunar mansion is named 危宿 Wēi Su, “Roof Mansion.” It is the 5th of the 7 mansions of the Black Tortoise of the North.
The 8th asterism of the Roof Mansion is called 造父 Zàofǔ, “Zaofu,” representing the historically famous charioteer, and is composed of 5 stars of the constellation Cepheus. [1]
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 17♈37 | 18♈18 | δ Cep | Zaofu Yi (1) | 1°20′ |
| 13♈58 | 14♈39 | ζ Cep | Zaofu Er (2) | 1°40′ |
| 15♈58 | 16♈40 | λ Cep | Zaofu San (3) | 1°00′ |
| 09♈42 | 10♈24 | μ Cep | Zaofu Si (4) | 1°20′ |
| 14♈21 | 15♈02 | ν Cep | Zaofu Wu (5) | 1°20′ |
Zaofu
09♈42 to 17♈37
Zao Fu was a skilled charioteer in ancient times. Legend has it that he presented a fine horse to King Mu of Zhou and was rewarded with the city of Zhao. Some also say he was Bo Le, famous for his ability to judge horses. [1]
The Zaofu star official is located in the southern part of the Chuanshe River and consists of five stars. Zaofu was also the name of a legendary figure. He was a descendant of Zhuanxu, one of the Five Emperors. Because he was skilled at driving a chariot, he became the charioteer for King Mu of Zhou. After driving the chariot to help him quell a rebellion, he was enfeoffed with the city of Zhao and changed his surname to Zhao. He is regarded as the ancestor of the Zhao surname. There are also records referring to him as Sima or Bole. Its name has been used in modern astronomy to denote a class of variable stars, namely Cepheid variables. [2]
Ma Duanlin (1317)
South of Chuan She (Transmission House), in the Yellow River, are the five stars of Zao Fu, the charioteer. Also called Sima (Sima), or Bo Le (Bole). If the stars are gone, horses will be very valuable; if they are bright, it is auspicious. [3]
Song History (1346)
The Zaofu asterism, consisting of five stars, is located south of Chuanshe (Guest House) or north of Tengshe (Flying Serpent); it represents the official in charge of the imperial carriage team. It is also known as Sima or Bole, governing the imperial stables, carriage teams, and horse tack.
If the stars shift position, war breaks out, and the price of horses rises; if the stars vanish, the price of horses skyrockets. If a comet or guest star enters this asterism, a charioteer or groom plots against their master, resulting in a beheading, or alternatively, war breaks out; if the asterism is held steady, military action occurs, and the stable horses are deployed. [4]