In Chinese traditional astronomy, Zi Wei Dou Shu, and Taoist mythology, there is a great variety of star and constellation names, such as “Wenchang Star,” “Wenqu Star,” and “Ziwei Star.” The following are several main categories, covering the main stars of Zi Wei Dou Shu, auxiliary stars, the Northern and Southern Dippers, the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the three enclosures and star officials, and more—take a look for reference:

I. The 14 main stars of Zi Wei Dou Shu (the most core stars)

This type of name is the most common in astrology/astrology of destiny studies, and, like “Ziwei Star,” it refers to the name of a single star:

• Zi Wei star system: Ziwei Star, Tianji Star, Sun Star, Wuqü Star, Tiantong Star, Lianzheng Star

• Tianfu star system: Tianfu Star, Taiyin Star, Tianlang Star, Jumen Star, Tianxiang Star, Tianliang Star, Qisha Star, Pojün Star

II. Common supporting stars and miscellaneous stars in Ziwei Doushu (auspicious/inauspicious stars)

Besides the primary stars, there are also many supporting xuans/secondary stars with the character “xing” (star) in their names; the names sound very nice:

• Auspicious Stars / Supporting Stars: Star Wenchang, Star Wenqu, Left Assistant Star, Right Aide Star, Star Tian Kui, Star Tian Yue, Star Lucun, Star Tianma, Star Santai, Star Bazuo, Star Longchi, Star Fengge, Star En Guang, Star Tian Gui, Star Tai Fu, Star Fenggao, Star Hongluan, Star Tianxi

• Sha Stars / Omen Stars: Star Qingyang, Star Tuoluo, Fire Star, Ling Star, Star Dikong, Star Dijie, Star Tianxing, Star Tianyao, Star Xianchi, Star Dathao, Star Xiaotao, Star PoSui, Star Feilian, Star Guchen, Star Guasu, Star Jiesha, Star Zha Sha, Star Huagai

III. The Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper and the Six Stars of the Southern Dipper

In Taoism and astronomy, the Northern Dipper and Southern Dipper each have named star lords:

• Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper: Tian Shu (Greedy Wolf), Tian Xuan (Jumen), Tian Ji (Lucun), Tian Quan (Wenqu), Yu Heng (Lianzheng), Kaiyang (Wuqu), Yaoguang (Po Jun). (There are also assistant stars and aide stars, collectively known as the Nine Stars of the Northern Dipper)

• Six stars of the Southern Dipper: Star Tianfu, Star Tianliang, Star Tianji, Star Tiantong, Star Tianxiang, Star Qisha (the six star-lords of the Southern Dipper)

IV. The Twenty-Eight Mansions (star mansions under the Four Symbols of the cardinal directions)

This is the most traditional system of star mansions: there are 28 in total, usually referred to as “stars” or “mansions”:

• Seven Mansions of the Eastern Azure Dragon: Jiao Wood Dragon, Kang Gold Dragon, Di Earth Goat, Fang Sun Rabbit, Xin Moon Fox, Wei Fire Tiger, Ji Water Leopard

• Seven Mansions of the Northern Black Tortoise: Dipperwood Squirrel, Ox Gold Ox, Woman Earth Bat, Void Sun Mouse, Danger Moon Swallow, Chamber Fire Pig, Wall Water Basilisk

• Seven Western White Tiger Mansions: Kui Wood Wolf, Lou Gold Dog, Wei Earth Pheasant, Mao Sun Rooster, Bi Moon Crow, Zi Fire Monkey, Shen Water Ape

• Seven Mansions of the Southern Vermilion Bird: Jing Wood Dog, Gui Gold Sheep, Liu Earth Deer, Star Ri Horse, Star Zhang Moon Deer, Star Yi Fire Serpent, Star Zhen Water Earthworm

V. The three enclosures of star officials (Ziwei Enclosure, Taiwei Enclosure, Tianshi Enclosure)

In ancient times, the starry sky was divided into three enclosures, which contained many famous star-official names:

• Ziwei Enclosure: Star Goucheng, Star Tianhuang Dadi, North Polar Star (including the Prince Star, the Emperor Star), Four Assistant Stars, Wenchang Palace (including the Stars Si Ming, Si Lu, etc.), Star Yin De, Star Tianzhu, Star Yu Nv

• Taiwei Enclosure: Stars of the Five Emperors’ Seat, the Prince Star, the Auspicious Minister Star, the Nine Lords Star, the Nine Ministers Star, the Three Dukes Star, the Officer Star, the General Star, the Changchen Star, the Shaowei Star

• Tianshi Enclosure: Star Di Zuo, Marquis Star, Imperial Clan Administrator Star, Clan Member Star, Star Bodu, Butchery Market Star, City and Tower Star, Star Guan Suo, Star Seven Lords, Star Tian Ji

Six. Other famous stars in mythology and calendars

• Planets and the Four Remaining Stars: Venus (Tai Bai Jin Xing), Jupiter (Sui Xing), Mars (Yinghuo Xing), Saturn (Zhen Xing), Mercury (Chen Xing), Rahu Star, Ketu Star, Moon Bèi Star, Purple Qi Star

• Mythic Stars: Sirius (Tianlang Star), Old Man Star (Southern Polar Immortal), Vega (Star Tiǎn Sūn), Altair’s Twin Star (Cowherd Star), Star-lord of the Northern Dipper, Star-lord of the Southern Dipper

(This image is a fan-dedicated avatar for the Xinghe Community; the name format is “Xinghe Community + the mansion name + your own name.” Example: Xinghe Community Wenqu Star Sui Feng)