Ancient Chinese Astrology

This book systematically combs the development and cultural connotation of ancient Chinese astrology, taking "participating in politics for the country" as the core theme, tracing its evolution from the budding of astrology in the Neolithic Age, to the beginning of official learning in the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and then through the improvement of the Dai Qin Tianjian system. The book explains in detail the starry sky coordinate system of the Three Walls, Twenty-eight Constellations, Four Symbols and Twelve Stars, and analyzes the logic of prediction of five stars, seven stars, and abnormal celestial phenomena. It combines the official astronomical records, "Yi Si Zhan" and other documents and unearthed silk slips to restore the astrological observation methods and interpretation paradigms. At the same time, it explores the deep connection between astrology and the universe view of the induction of heaven and man, and its extensive penetration into ancient politics, calendars, literature and art. It not only presents its political function as a tool for constructing the legitimacy of destiny, but also includes a rational criticism of its superstitious components, showing the ancient people's cosmic cognition and survival wisdom carried by this ancient knowledge.