Four Advisors
Encyclopedia
The Four Advisors is a traditional Chinese asterism
found in the Purple Forbidden enclosure
. It consists of four stars found in the modern constellations of Ursa Minor
and Camelopardalis
and represents the four assistants of ancient emperors. During the Qing dynasty
, a star from the constellation Draco
was added to the asterism.
Asterism (astronomy)
In astronomy, an asterism is a pattern of stars recognized on Earth's night sky. It may form part of an official constellation, or be composed of stars from more than one. Like constellations, asterisms are in most cases composed of stars which, while they are visible in the same general direction,...
found in the Purple Forbidden enclosure
Purple Forbidden enclosure
The Purple Forbidden enclosure is one of the San Yuan or Three enclosures. Stars and constellations of this group lie near the north celestial pole and visible all year from temperate latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.-Asterisms:The asterisms are :...
. It consists of four stars found in the modern constellations of Ursa Minor
Ursa Minor
Ursa Minor , also known as the Little Bear, is a constellation in the northern sky. Like the Great Bear, the tail of the Little Bear may also be seen as the handle of a ladle, whence the name Little Dipper...
and Camelopardalis
Camelopardalis
Camelopardalis is a large but faint constellation in the northern sky. The constellation was introduced in 1612 by Petrus Plancius. Some older astronomy books give an alternative spelling of the name, Camelopardus.-Etymology:...
and represents the four assistants of ancient emperors. During the Qing dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, a star from the constellation Draco
Draco (constellation)
Draco is a constellation in the far northern sky. Its name is Latin for dragon. Draco is circumpolar for many observers in the northern hemisphere...
was added to the asterism.
| Order | Corresponding star |
|---|---|
| 1 (四辅一) | unclear, in Ursa Minor Ursa Minor Ursa Minor , also known as the Little Bear, is a constellation in the northern sky. Like the Great Bear, the tail of the Little Bear may also be seen as the handle of a ladle, whence the name Little Dipper... |
| 2 (四辅二) | HIP 51384 (in Camelopardalis Camelopardalis Camelopardalis is a large but faint constellation in the northern sky. The constellation was introduced in 1612 by Petrus Plancius. Some older astronomy books give an alternative spelling of the name, Camelopardus.-Etymology:... ) |
| 3 (四辅三) | HD 90089 HD 90089 HD 90089 is a variable star in the constellation Camelopardalis.- References :* *... (in Camelopardalis Camelopardalis Camelopardalis is a large but faint constellation in the northern sky. The constellation was introduced in 1612 by Petrus Plancius. Some older astronomy books give an alternative spelling of the name, Camelopardus.-Etymology:... ) |
| 4 (四辅四) | unclear, in Camelopardalis Camelopardalis Camelopardalis is a large but faint constellation in the northern sky. The constellation was introduced in 1612 by Petrus Plancius. Some older astronomy books give an alternative spelling of the name, Camelopardus.-Etymology:... |
| +1 (四辅增一) | HIP 47193 (in Draco Draco (constellation) Draco is a constellation in the far northern sky. Its name is Latin for dragon. Draco is circumpolar for many observers in the northern hemisphere... ) |