Taiyi
Designations
- Flamsteed: 8 Dra
- Hipparchos: HIP 66798
Data
- Constellation: Draco
- Apparent Magnitude: 5.26-5.34
- Variable Type: γ Doradus
- Right Ascension (J2000): 12h55m27.50s
- Declination (J2000): +65°26'36".5
- Colour Index (B-V): 0.29
- Distance: 96.04±0.23ly
Nomenclature
Taiyi
The name is from Chinese 太一 Tàiyī, 'August Unity, or Supreme One'. This star comprised a single-star asterism just outside the 紫微右垣 Zǐwēiyòuyuán, 'Purple Palace Right Wall'. The asterism represented the most supreme god of the Qin and Han imperial cults. Xiaochun and Kistemaker () explained that the star was the personification of central authority, a key theme of Qin and Han rule. This fact was symbolised by the star's presence near the North Celestial Pole. However, the asterism may have deeper roots than the Warring States period. In this respect, Pankenier () equated it with 上帝 Shàngdì, the Supernal Lord of Shang and Zhou theology.
As the Supreme One, Tàiyī was principally associated with the 四季 sìjì, 'four seasons', the 五行 wǔxíng, 'five elements', and the 阴 yīn and 阳 yáng by its command of the 五帝 wǔdì, 'five emperors'. In this respect, the Supreme One was also related to 北斗 Běidǒu, the celestial chariot of 上帝 Shàngdì that regulated the aforementioned properties. The Supreme One's abode was 北极 Běijí, 'North Pole', located within 紫宮 Zǐgōng, 'Purple Palace'. 太一 Tàiyī was originally synonymous with 天一 Tiānyī (see 7 Dra), but during the reign of Emperor Wu it was suggested by Taoist scholars seeking of the ultimate 道 dào, such as Miu Ji, that Tàiyī was the more important star.
Sources
- IAU WGSN. IAU-Catalog of Star Names (CSN). link.
- Stellarium Contributors. Stellarium Astronomy Software. link.
- Rufus, W. Carl. Hsing-chih T'ien. The Soochow Astronomical Chart (), pp. 15. link.
- Xiaochun, S., Kistemaker, J. The Chinese sky during the Han : constellating stars and society (), pp. 50, 84-85, 96, 123-125, 166-167.
- Pankenier, D. W. Astrology and Cosmology in Early China (), pp. 9-10, 88-94.