What did the ancients think of the stars? It's amazing to see Sima Yi and their stars at night!

The earliest astronomical observations in China can be traced back to thousands of years ago. No matter the sun, moon, planet, comet, nova, star, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, sunspot, prominence, meteor shower and other rare phenomena, there are long and rich records, with meticulous observation, accurate records, detailed descriptions and high level, which have reached the level of amazing people today. These records still have high scientific value. There are abundant astronomical records in the Oracle Bone Inscriptions of Yin Ruins unearthed in Anyang, Henan Province. This shows that as early as14th century BC, the astronomy of our ancestors was already very developed. It is universally acknowledged that China has the earliest and most complete astronomical records in the world. China was the most accurate observer of astronomical phenomena and the best record keeper before the Renaissance in Europe.

The ancients were diligent in observing the positions of the sun, moon and stars and their changes. The main purpose is to grasp the regularity of such astronomical phenomena by observing them, so as to determine the four seasons, compile calendars and serve production and life. The ancient calendar in China not only includes the calculation of solar terms, the distribution of days per month, the arrangement of months and leap months, etc. It also includes many astronomical contents, such as the calculation and prediction of the occurrence time and visibility of solar and lunar eclipses, and the calculation and prediction of the positions of the five major planets. On the one hand, it shows that China paid attention to astronomy and astronomical phenomena in ancient times, and this kind of astronomical phenomena is also one of the important means to verify the accuracy of the calendar. Determining the length of the tropical year is the basis of the calendar. Chinese ancient calendars paid special attention to the solar terms of the winter solstice, and accurately calculated the time of two consecutive winter solstice, and the time interval between them was a tropical year.

Taoism believes that the sky is full of gods, living among the stars such as the moon, the moon and the Beidou. They are called star gods and have their own names, costumes and duties. The principle of the Beidou Nine Planetary Method is to keep the images and names of the five stars and the stars of the Beidou, and cooperate with persuasion and swallowing to achieve the goal of health and longevity. Taoism's worship of the stars will inevitably urge Taoist people to observe and study the stars. It is not surprising that many astrolabes in the astronomical history of China were written by Taoists. In Yuan Dynasty, Zhao Youqin drew a large-scale star map, taking stone as a monument. The first and second volumes of Dunhuang star maps unearthed in Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes have a certain relationship with Taoism. In front of the first book, there is a note from Lee. Z. Mr. Xia Nai thinks that the original versions of these two star maps are all made according to the reference images of Song of the Sky (or the addition or deletion of early star maps). In addition, the relationship between the map of Ming Dynasty in Tianhou Palace of Hanjiang River in Putian, Fujian Province (originally collected in Putian Cultural Center and included in the Atlas of Ancient Astronomical Cultural Relics in China) and Taoism is also worthy of further study. In addition, some Taoist temples, such as Changchun Temple in Wuhan, also have inscriptions on planetariums.

To sum up, due to the religious and political demands of astrology and the need to prolong life, Doumen looked up at astronomy and geography, thus forming the tradition of watching stars at night. Taoist priests who are proficient in astronomy abound throughout the ages. It is worth noting that in the early Tang dynasty, a group of people served as Taishiling, in charge of the highest astronomical calendar institution in the country. Behind these doors are Fu Yi's Book of the Old Tang Dynasty (Volume 79) and Fu Yi's Biography: "Fu Yi, a native of Xiangzhou, is also a writer, especially a writer. During the reign of Emperor Kai of Sui Dynasty, I was in charge of Joan ... Gaozu was a magistrate of Fufeng, and I was deeply honored. And practice is called Taishi Cheng ... and moved to Taishi Ling. "

Fu, Li, and Tang Xianfu's Book of the Old Tang Dynasty (Volume 191) and Biography of Tang Xianfu said, "Tang Xianfu is also from Weizhou. Especially good at astronomy, he became a monk from the beginning. Then he summoned him at the right time and began to worship the official's order, saying categorically,' I have had a long birthday and can't worship the official.' Then the next day, the Taishi Bureau was changed to the armory supervisor, instead of being transferred to the secretary province, and the Xianfu was the armory supervisor, making suggestions on disasters and strange things, all of which were verified. It also allows those scholars who have just contributed to the collection of Shangyang Palace to write down the "Square Map". Li had a great influence, and Ruan Yuan listed him as a famous celestial mathematician in his Biography in Qing Dynasty.

In a word, Taoism has made a positive contribution to astronomical calendar calculation, and a number of outstanding astronomical mathematicians such as Dan, Li and Fu have emerged. Zhao Youqin's New Book of Gexiang in Yuan Dynasty contains rich astrophysical thoughts, which strongly promoted the development of China's traditional astronomical calendar thought.