Dunhuang map

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Star Map from the Tang Dynasty (North Polar region). This map was made approximately in the year 700, around the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang (705-710). Constellations of the three schools were distinguished with different colors: white, black and yellow for stars of Wuxian, Gan De and Shi Shen respectively. The whole set of star maps contained 1,300 stars
Star Map from the Tang Dynasty (North Polar region). This map was made approximately in the year 700,[1] around the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang (705-710). Constellations of the three schools were distinguished with different colors: white, black and yellow for stars of Wuxian, Gan De and Shi Shen respectively. The whole set of star maps contained 1,300 stars

The Dunhuang map or Dunhuang Star map is one of the first known graphical representation of stars from ancient Chinese astronomy, dated to the Tang Dynasty (618–907). Prior to this map, many of the star information mentioned in historical Chinese texts have been questioned.[2] The map provide a graphical verification of the star observations, and are part of a series of pictures on a scroll found in the caves of Dunhuang, Gansu, China.

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[edit] History

The scroll was discovered among the many manuscripts in the Mogao Caves by Chinese Taoist Wang Yuan-lu in the 1900s.[3] One of the first public mentioning of this script in Western studies was from Joseph Needham's 1959 version of the book Science and Civilisation in China". Since that time only few publications have been devoted to the map, all being Chinese publications.[2] Much of the research done on this map today is conducted by International Dunhuang Project.

[edit] Colors

The symbols for the stars are divided into three different groups. They groups are presented in three colors presenting the "Three Schools of Astronomical tradition".[2]

Color Chinese Astronomer Comments
Black Gan De (甘德)
Red Shi Shen (石申)
White Wu Xian (巫咸) There has been inconsistencies in his works. He is generally known as the astronomer who lived before Gan and Shi.[4]
Yellow Others

[edit] References

  1. ^ Xi, Zezong. "Chinese Studies in the History of Astronomy, 1949-1979," Isis (Volume 72, Number 3, 1981): 456–470. Page 464.
  2. ^ a b c Whitfield, Susan. [2004] (2004). The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, War and Faith. British Library Staff. Serindia Publications. ISBN 1932476121.
  3. ^ International Dunhuang Project.bl.uk
  4. ^ Peng, Yoke Ho (2000). Li, Qi and Shu: An Introduction to Science and Civilization in China. Courier Dover Publications. ISBN 0486414450

[edit] See also