Constellations Chinese astronomy

the divisions of sky began northern dipper , 28 mansions.

in 1977, lacquer box excavated tomb of yi, marquis of zeng, in suixian, hubei province. names of 28 lunar mansions found on cover of box, proving use of classification system made before 433 bc.

as lunar mansions have such ancient origin, meanings of of names have become obscure. worse, name of each lunar mansion consists of 1 chinese word, meaning of vary @ different times in history. meanings of names still under discussion.

besides 28 lunar mansions, constellations based on works of shi shen-fu , gan de, astrologists during period of warring states (481 bc - 221 bc) in china.

in late period of ming dynasty, agricultural scientist , mathematician xu guangqi (1562 - 1633 ad) introduced 23 additional constellations near celestial south pole, based on star catalogues west (see matteo ricci).