Symbolic stars
Encyclopedia
In Chinese astrology
, the symbolic stars (Chinese
: Shen Sha 神煞, pinyin
: shén shā) represent different relations of the specific positions and interactions of the heavenly stems
and earthly branches
.
The symbolic stars are sometimes literally translated as "Gods & devils", but in fact they do not relate to any ghosts and celestial beings. Shen means beneficial influence, and Sha means baneful influence of the cyclical signs of the heavenly stems
and earthly branches
.
The calculation of the symbolic stars is logically connected to the theory of Yin and Yang
, Five Elements
, 10 Gods theory, Na Yin melodic elements theory, 12 Energy States, etc. The symbolic stars are like the “leaves” of the heavenly stems and earthly branches in the big tree of Chinese astrology and can provide a very specific information in the horoscope analysis.
The symbolic stars are used in many methods of Chinese astrology and metaphysics: Four Pillars of Destiny
, Zi wei dou shu
, Da Liu Ren
, and Feng Shui
.
There are more than 180 symbolic stars in Chinese astrology.
Chinese astrology
Chinese astrology is based on the traditional astronomy and calendars. The development of Chinese astrology is tied to that of astronomy, which came to flourish during the Han Dynasty ....
, the symbolic stars (Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: Shen Sha 神煞, pinyin
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
: shén shā) represent different relations of the specific positions and interactions of the heavenly stems
Heavenly Stems
The ten Celestial or Heavenly Stems are a Chinese system of ordinals that first appear during the Shang dynasty, ca. 1250 BC, as the names of the ten days of the week. They were also used in Shang-period ritual as names for dead family members, who were offered sacrifices on the corresponding day...
and earthly branches
Earthly Branches
The Earthly Branches provide one Chinese system for reckoning time.This system was built from observations of the orbit of Jupiter. Chinese astronomers divided the celestial circle into 12 sections to follow the orbit of Suìxīng . Astronomers rounded the orbit of Suixing to 12 years...
.
The symbolic stars are sometimes literally translated as "Gods & devils", but in fact they do not relate to any ghosts and celestial beings. Shen means beneficial influence, and Sha means baneful influence of the cyclical signs of the heavenly stems
Heavenly Stems
The ten Celestial or Heavenly Stems are a Chinese system of ordinals that first appear during the Shang dynasty, ca. 1250 BC, as the names of the ten days of the week. They were also used in Shang-period ritual as names for dead family members, who were offered sacrifices on the corresponding day...
and earthly branches
Earthly Branches
The Earthly Branches provide one Chinese system for reckoning time.This system was built from observations of the orbit of Jupiter. Chinese astronomers divided the celestial circle into 12 sections to follow the orbit of Suìxīng . Astronomers rounded the orbit of Suixing to 12 years...
.
The calculation of the symbolic stars is logically connected to the theory of Yin and Yang
Yin and yang
In Asian philosophy, the concept of yin yang , which is often referred to in the West as "yin and yang", is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn. Opposites thus only...
, Five Elements
Five elements
Five elements may refer to: In philosophy: *Five elements *Mahabhuta*Pancha Tattva *Five elements In science:*Boron, element 5*Group 5 element*Period 5 element-See also:...
, 10 Gods theory, Na Yin melodic elements theory, 12 Energy States, etc. The symbolic stars are like the “leaves” of the heavenly stems and earthly branches in the big tree of Chinese astrology and can provide a very specific information in the horoscope analysis.
The symbolic stars are used in many methods of Chinese astrology and metaphysics: Four Pillars of Destiny
Four Pillars of Destiny
Four Pillars of Destiny is a Chinese and Japanese conceptual term that describes the four components creating a person's destiny or fate. The four components within the moment of birth are year, month, day, and hour...
, Zi wei dou shu
Zi wei dou shu
Zi Wei Dou Shu is a form of fortune-telling in Chinese culture. It remains one of the most well-respected processes for laying out "The Destiny Path" or "Fate".-Terminology:...
, Da Liu Ren
Da Liu Ren
Da Liu Ren is a form of Chinese calendrical astrology dating from the later Warring States period.Along with the divination methods Qi Men Dun Jia 奇门遁甲 and Taiyi 太乙—collectively known as the "Three Styles" —Da Liu Ren is considered in China to be one of the highest forms of Chinese metaphysics.It...
, and Feng Shui
Feng shui
Feng shui ' is a Chinese system of geomancy believed to use the laws of both Heaven and Earth to help one improve life by receiving positive qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu ....
.
There are more than 180 symbolic stars in Chinese astrology.
See also
- Chinese AstrologyChinese astrologyChinese astrology is based on the traditional astronomy and calendars. The development of Chinese astrology is tied to that of astronomy, which came to flourish during the Han Dynasty ....
- Four Pillars of DestinyFour Pillars of DestinyFour Pillars of Destiny is a Chinese and Japanese conceptual term that describes the four components creating a person's destiny or fate. The four components within the moment of birth are year, month, day, and hour...
- Zi wei dou shuZi wei dou shuZi Wei Dou Shu is a form of fortune-telling in Chinese culture. It remains one of the most well-respected processes for laying out "The Destiny Path" or "Fate".-Terminology:...
- Yuan Hai Zi PingYuan Hai Zi PingYuan Hai Zi Ping is the first comprehensive and systematic book on the theory of Four Pillars of Destiny. The book was compiled by Xu Dasheng of the Song Dynasty of China and was a recording of various Zi Ping's fortune-telling methods...