Revealing the secret of whether the constellations are based on the Gregorian calendar or the lunar calendar: Ancient Chinese constellations revealed

In the vast universe, there are twelve constellations hidden, and their knowledge is also very powerful. Each constellation has its own personality, but some people may still ask whether the constellations are based on the Gregorian calendar or the lunar calendar? Today I will reveal the secret to you. What’s even more amazing is that the twelve constellations already existed in ancient China a long time ago.

The origin of the twelve constellations

More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek astronomer Hipparchus (190-120 BC) divided the zodiac into twelve sections to mark the position of the sun on the ecliptic. The vernal equinox was designated as 0°, and each section was 30° apart from the vernal equinox (zero degree of the ecliptic). The sections were named after the main constellations contained in each section at that time, in order: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, etc., which are called the twelve signs of the zodiac. There are twelve constellations in total.

Babies born when the Earth moves to each equal part (constellation) always have several similar characteristics when they grow up, including behavioral traits. By connecting these associations (rich imagination and creativity), the humanity of these star clusters is concretized; and by adding mythological colors, they become an important part of culture (mainly Greek and Roman mythology). This set of numerology has evolved and been passed down for at least five thousand years, and is represented by these twelve constellations. However, these constellations do not mean a certain "star" and can only be regarded as "a representative mark with the same name."

When we often talk about "constellation", we also refer to the "sun sign". The constellation time is divided based on the position of the sun in its prescribed orbit and the earth is used as the center. The constellation position is determined based on the person's birth time (Gregorian birthday). All twelve constellations are determined according to the Gregorian birthday.

The twelve ancient Chinese constellations

China divided the sky into three enclosures and twenty-eight constellations a long time ago. The "Records of the Grand Historian: Book of Celestial Officials" has a very detailed record. The Three Enclosures are three areas surrounding the north celestial pole, namely the Purple Palace Enclosure, the Great Palace Enclosure, and the Tianshi Palace Enclosure. The twenty-eight constellations are 28 areas near the ecliptic and the white road, namely the seven in the east, the seven in the south, the seven in the west and the seven in the north. The seven constellations of the Eastern Palace Qinglong are: Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, and Ji; the seven constellations of the Southern Palace Suzaku are: Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, and Zhen; the seven constellations of the Western Palace White Tiger are: Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, and Shen; the seven constellations of the Northern Palace Black Tortoise (Turtle and Snake) are: Dou, Niu, Nu, Xu, Wei, Shi, and Bi.