Supreme Palace Enclosure — Government of Heaven
Supreme Palace Enclosure, in Chinese 太微垣, lies in the south of the Big Dipper, next to the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.
In ancient Chinese Astrology, the Supreme Palace Enclosure consists of 78 stars.
It is the government of heaven, where the Great Emperor of Heaven oversees the administration of the universe and officials engage in discussions about political affairs.
Supreme Palace Enclosure in Dunhuang Star Chart from the Tang Dynasty (618–907)
Stars and Symbolism of Supreme Palace Enclosure
The stars within the Supreme Palace Enclosure are divided into 20 groups, with each group assigned a name that reflects their titles or functions.
The central area encompasses stars representing imperial seats, officials, nobles, generals, and guards.
Surrounding them are halls, walls, screens, steps, and an astronomical observatory.
According to the ideology of Interactions Between Heaven and Mankind, the stars within the Supreme Palace Enclosure correspond to earthly governments.
Omens and Celestial Signs of Supreme Palace Enclosure
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Bright stars indicate a capable and successful government with competent officials capable of bringing prosperity to the nation.
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Dim stars signify incompetence among the correlated officials or agencies.
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Deviating certain stars is a sign of unjust penalties or problematic appointments of correlated officials.
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Shaking stars in this enclosure are omens of upcoming rebellions of correlated officials or nobles.
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Additionally, the appearance of celestial bodies such as the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and meteors within this enclosure foreshadows specific events.
Cultural Significance of Supreme Palace Enclosure
Therefore, the Supreme Palace Enclosure occupies a position of profound importance within the realm of ancient Chinese astrology and history.
Serving as a reflective mirror, this celestial domain intricately connects celestial phenomena with the complexities of earthly governance.
Beyond its astronomical significance, the Supreme Palace Enclosure offers invaluable insights into the nuanced dynamics of political affairs and historical records.