Description
This book adopts a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating knowledge and techniques from disciplines such as astronomy and history. The purpose of astrological divination is to discern the will of the heavens, and its subjects are the ruling class or the entire social body of a nation. The selection of auspicious methods is aimed at seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, with its influence ranging from the imperial family to the common people. By comparing them with ancient Chinese textual records, it seeks to verify their authenticity. Based on this foundation, the book explores the origins of certain important astronomical events and divinatory behavioral patterns in ancient times, as well as the reasoning behind the actions of ancient Chinese people. Overall, this book provides significant inspiration and reference for scholars and researchers in the field of history of social astronomy in China and history of Sino-Western exchanges, in terms of ideas and research methodologies.
Table of Contents
1. Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty and the mystery of Counselor-in-Chief Zhai Fangjin’s death.- 2. The most ominous astronomical phenomena in Chinese astrology—“Yinghuo staying at Constellation Xin”.- 3. The most auspicious astronomical phenomenon in Chinese astrology: “The convergence of five stars”.- 4. The impact of astrology on ancient Chinese warfare.- 5. The attitude of Jesuits towards traditional Chinese astrology and numerology.- 6. The exploration on the tradition of selecting auspicious days in Chinese society through the bamboo and wooden slips of the Yinwan Han Tombs.- 7. A new exploration on Dunhuang annotated calendrers.- 8. Marriage auspiciousness and inauspiciousness in selection techniques.- 9. The dispute over the definition and existence of the “Four Residues” in the early Qing Dynasty.- 10. The dispute over the order of Constellation Zi and Shen in early Qing Dynasty.- 11. An analysis of Tianli Sect Uprising and the belief of an inauspicious intercalary eighth month.- 12. Almanac—The integration of traditional Chinese astronomy and society.
